INDUSTRY INSIGHT
BACK TO LIFE
SPONSORED CONTENT
Get Back on
Your Feet
This Summer
Treating Ankle and Foot Arthritis
with Stem Cells
T
he single biggest cause of ankle arthritis is chronic
instability. This is usually due to an ankle sprain, where
someone seems to have recovered, but the ligaments
that protect the ankle joints are stretched. When this
happens more than once, the problem gets magnified. Over
time, slight motions in the ankle leads to breakdown in the
The Body. Restored.
The Region’s only provider of the
world’s leading orthopedic stem cell
procedures.
The Region’s only provider of the
world’s leading orthopedic stem cell
procedures.
The Body. Restored.
Bridgeville | Washington | Pittsburgh
Sewickley | Monroeville
Bridgeville | Washington | Pittsburgh
Sewickley | Monroeville
joint, and arthritis develops. As one continues to walk or run
on an arthritic ankle joint, the problem worsens and the pain
intensifies. Soon, not only can you not run, but walking becomes
a big problem.
Traditionally, a person with a painful arthritic ankle would
go for a steroid injection. Steroids however only make the
problem worse. They may give you short-term pain relief, but in
the long run they damage the joint further by eliminating all of
your natural healing cells that are present in the joint. The old
orthopedic model was to inject the joint with steroids until this
no longer provided pain relief, and then replace or fuse the joint.
Stem cells can restore normal function of an arthritic joint
in two ways. Stem cells are repair cells that are held in reserve
until needed. We all have millions of stem cells in our body and
we continue to replenish these during our entire life. When we
extract these and place them into an arthritic joint, they have the
ability to differentiate into new cells, which can help grow new
tissue. Even more importantly, however, stem cells orchestrate
a repair response, which makes the internal environment of a
painful arthritic joint a healthy one. A healthy joint not only hurts
less, but functions better. This leads to people being able to
enjoy the healthy lifestyle that we all strive to achieve.
Stem cells can significantly help an arthritic ankle, or arthritic
foot and toe joints. By making these joints healthier, pain will
decrease, and function will rise. So, don’t let your painful arthritic
ankle prevent you from leading an active lifestyle—call us today
at 412.963.6480 or visit us at www.regenexxpgh.com.
This industry insight was written by Dr. Marc Adelsheimer.
Dr. Adelsheimer practices at Regenexx Pittsburgh. He
received his Medical Doctorate from the Medical College of
Pennsylvania. He holds board certification in both Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Pain Medicine.
PETERS TOWNSHIP
❘
JUNE/JULY 2019
33