Ankle Stem Cell Therapy Overview
Athletes of all levels, ranging from recreational to professional, are prone to ankle injuries. Two of the most common injuries associated with the ankle include fractures and sprains. After an ankle injury or from the natural aging process, certain patients may develop ankle arthritis. Active individuals living in the Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria and Ventura, California communities searching for a non-surgical treatment to help heal ankle injuries and conditions are encouraged to consider stem cell injections. Orthopedic ankle specialist, Dr. Jervis Yau offers ankle stem cell therapy to help accelerate the healing process and promote tissue regeneration following a sports injury.
Ankle Anatomy
The complex structure of the ankle allows the joint to withstand 1.5 times the body’s weight when walking and up to 8 times the body’s weight when running. Composed of a sophisticated structure of ligaments, tendons, muscles and bones, the ankle joint acts as a hinge joint and provides stability and mobility to the lower body.
Common Uses for Ankle Stem Cell Therapy
Chronic ankle pain and recurrent ankle injuries may occur following a sports injury or from other trauma to the joint. This is commonly caused by the tendons or ligaments becoming overstretched or torn. With continued use of the joint during every day and athletic activities, pain, swelling and ongoing injuries can occur. Ankle stem cell therapy may be recommended by Dr. Yau for these common injuries and conditions:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Ankle arthritis
- Soft tissue injuries
- Fractures
How Stem Cell Injections in Sports Medicine are Performed
Adult stem cell injections in sports medicine continue to gain popularity in treating a number of ankle injuries and conditions. Ankle stem cell therapy involves the use of a patient’s own “mesenchymal” stem cells found in bone marrow.
Stem cell injections in sports medicine begin with Dr. Yau harvesting adult stem cells from the patient’s own pelvis. Once the bone marrow is harvested, it is spun in a special machine to separate the autologous adult stem cells, platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells. The healing agents are then concentrated and injected directly into the injured ankle tissue to promote healing and regeneration.
For additional resources on stem cell injections in sports medicine, or to learn more about ankle stem cell therapy, please contact the Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria and Ventura, California area office of ankle specialist Dr. Jervis Yau.
