Our Advanced Treatments and Technologies
Our core mission is to provide the best, most cost-effective care that meets the individual needs of each patient.
In many cases, traditional methods of treatment (including rest, medication, changes in footwear, and physical therapy) are very effective. Techniques don’t often stand the test of time if they don’t work, after all.
That said, we are always looking into new methods and technologies that can provide better results for patients in certain circumstances. In many cases, these newer forms of treatment take advantage of the body’s own impressive healing capabilities to provide for superior and quicker healing.
The methods we discuss below may be considered in conjunction with or in place of other forms of treatment. Our recommendations for a treatment plan come after a thorough evaluation of your condition and knowing how your symptoms are currently affecting your lifestyle. We will always be happy to discuss all your options so you can move forward with treatment in full confidence.
Regenerative Medicine and Therapies
This area of medicine uses the body’s own natural elements to encourage the repair and regrowth of damaged or injured tissues. This can make for a faster overall recovery time, as well as reduced pain and inflammation in the process.
Regenerative medicine may use stem cells, growth factors, and other materials naturally produced by the human body. These materials are sometimes acquired from the patient (such as from a blood sample). In other cases, they may come from amniotic tissues safely and ethically acquired from the afterbirth of consenting mothers, while causing no harm to her or the newborn.
Forms of regenerative therapy we might suggest include:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections, often used to aid recovery from sports injuries. A sample of a patient’s blood is drawn and then spun in a centrifuge, separating and concentrating the platelets, which contain powerful growth factors. This platelet-rich mixture is injected back into the body at the site of an injury, stimulating recovery.
- Amniotic or Stem Cell products, which can take the form of injections or grafts. They can have a similar effect to PRP injections, stimulating growth and repair of damaged or injured tissue. These products can also be effective in protecting and healing wounds.
- Skin Grafts. An alternative to using processed cells from another donor is creating a skin graft from a very small sample of the patient’s own skin. A piece of skin the size of a pencil eraser can be grown in a laboratory over 7 days and provide up to three 4×4-inch grafts!
Vascular and Neurological Testing
Circulation and nerve health can have huge impacts on foot care, especially when conditions like diabetes are a factor.
Our office provides testing for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the feet and ankles, allowing us to assess the amount of blood flowing into the feet, and to detect for poor blood flow or blockages. We do this via ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing, which measures blood pressure and flow in your ankles compared to your arms.
We also provide epidermal nerve fiber density measurement testing in-office. In this test, a small 2 mm biopsy of skin is obtained and then examined after staining. The number and integrity of nerve fibers within the sample is evaluated, helping us to determine the overall health of the nerves in your feet.
Using information from both types of tests, we can recommend a course of treatment or preventative care moving forward, helping to prevent complications from nerve damage and poor circulation.
The Right Care for Your Feet and Ankles
We are always staying on top of the latest medical research and techniques so we can provide the best care possible to our patients.
If you need help for a foot, ankle or leg problem, we’re here for you. Call our office at (480) 629-5903 or fill out our online contact form below to schedule an appointment.