Foot and ankle injuries are the most common sports injuries that show a significant impact on the sports career of an individual. Athletes who play sports that involve repetitive leg movements that impose stress on the ankle are more prone to the risk of developing ankle tendon tears. Ankle injuries can occur even during simple walking irrespective of age. Ankle tendon tears can cause deliberate pain during an activity. Stem cell therapy for ankle tendon tears helps to avoid surgery, which often results in the risk of developing infections.
Most of the orthopedic problems, such as general aches and pains, are addressed by pain and anti-inflammatory medications. Also, non-operative techniques, such as the use of braces and physical therapy, might help to get rid of certain orthopedic problems. In some cases, chronic conditions like ankle tendon tears would require surgery to treat the damaged tendon. Surgical intervention for ankle tendon tears can result in side effects and might also increase the risk of developing post-surgical complications.
Surgery for ankle tendon tears involves the removal of damaged tendons in the ankle. In some instances, the doctor would perform a tendon graft with a piece of tendon from the foot to restore the normal function of the ankle joint. Surgical intervention often involves the risk of developing side effects and complications, such as infections and would also require prolonged periods of immobilization for the healing of the injury.
Regenerative therapy for ankle tendon tears is one of the advanced non-surgical treatment options to address tendon tears. Stem cell therapy and super concentrated platelets (SCP) therapy are the best minimally-invasive orthopedic therapies to heal ankle tendon tears. Stem cell therapy is an ideal treatment option to fix the damaged tissues in the body without surgery.
Ankle tendon tears: Causes and diagnosis
Activities that involve repetitive or overuse of the ankle tendon can result in an ankle tendon tear. Sports that involve intense jumping can cause sudden stress on the ankle joint. Also, rotating or twisting the ankle beyond its normal range of motion might result in ankle tendon tears. Excessive stress on the Achilles tendon that joins the calf muscle to the heel can lead to an ankle injury.
Although ankle tendon tears can occur in people of any age group, they are most common in people between the ages of 20 to 40 years. Men are five times at an increased risk of tendon tears when compared to women. In some instances, steroid injections given to the ankle joint to reduce the pain and inflammation can weaken the nearby tendons and result in tendon ruptures. Obese people are at high risk of ankle tendon tears as excess weight puts stress on the ankle tendon.
To diagnose an ankle tendon tear, the doctor will examine the ankle for pain, tenderness, swelling, and warmth in the outer side of the ankle. Also, an X-ray or MRI scan is needed to evaluate the extent of the injury. MRI scan is the most preferred diagnosis to view the damaged tissues in the ankle.
Stem cell therapy and super concentrated platelets (SCP) treatment for ankle
The stem cells obtained from the patient’s bone marrow are effective in repairing and replacing the damaged tissues with healthy tissue. Stem cell therapy for ankle tendon tears is a minimally-invasive, non-surgical procedure that does not involve an incision on the skin. Stem cells release a protein known as cytokines at the site of injury, which stimulate the body’s natural healing capacity and repair the damaged tissue. The stem cells collected from the bone marrow of the patient are processed in the lab to obtain a customized concentrate before they are injected back into the site of injury.
Depending on the severity and the extent of ankle tendon tear, the doctor might combine stem cells therapy and SCP therapy for optimal healing of the injury. SCP procedures involve the use of the patient’s blood to heal the damaged ankle tendon. SCP injections are effective in encouraging the tissue regrowth, thereby improving the condition. Super concentrated platelets (SCP) injections, when given after the stem cell therapy, stimulate the effect of the stem cells on the target area. This makes the stem cells work harder on the damaged tissues.
Stem cell therapy and SCP procedure for ankle tendon tears is a viable alternative to surgery for ankle pain. The patients who received stem cell therapy for their ankle can typically get back to their routine within 2 to 3 days of the treatment. Also, these stem cell SCP therapies help to avoid lengthy recovery and rehabilitation periods that are usually long in case of ankle surgery. Unlike surgery, stem cell therapy and SCP procedure do not require a hospital stay, and a patient can get back to their home within 1 to 2 hours of the treatment.
Our clinics can help you get rid of orthopedic pain with advanced stem cell treatments. Do visit our clinic in Hyderabad and Mumbai or contact us at 7306070809 for more information.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can stem cells help in ankle tendon repair?
Stem cell treatment for an ankle tendon tear is an effective non-surgical approach to heal the condition. Stem cells enhance the body’s natural healing ability and repair the damaged tendon naturally without the need for surgery. The customized concentration of stem cells, when injected into the site of injury, releases a protein called cytokines and other growth factors that help in repairing the tissue. Apart from repairing and regenerating healthy tissue, stem cells protect the health of the cartilage tissue around the damaged tendon.
Is stem cell therapy for ankles a safe treatment?
Stem cell therapy for ankle tendon tears is an advanced regenerative treatment option for those who wish to avoid elective surgery for tendon tears. Stem cells are the specialized cells in the body that develop into different cell types in the body. The stem cells used in the treatment are collected from the patient’s own bone marrow, where the chances of rejection are zero. The stem cell therapy for ankle tendon injury does not result in any side effects nor post-treatment complications.
Can we prevent ankle tendon tears?
Although one cannot completely avoid developing an ankle tendon tear, it is possible to reduce the risk of developing ankle problems by taking necessary precautionary measures. Practising regular stretching and strengthening exercises of calf muscles can build strength in the ankle and helps to withstand more force exerted on the ankle. One should avoid or reduce walking or running on slippery and hard surfaces, which increase the risk of accidental falls leading to tendon injuries. Do not increase the intensity of exercises abruptly, especially leg exercises.