We want to give our patients the best chance to make a full recovery following an injury or surgical operation, and advancements in medical technology are helping us do so. For the right patient, we have been able to help jump start the recovery process with a unique regenerative health aid. Amniotic tissue, the membrane that surrounds a baby, is normally discarded after delivery, but it can be safely collected. This tissue, which we are fortunate to have donated from women undergoing cesareian section, has shown significant benefits for a range of health conditions. Amniotic tissue has helped to fuel the recovery process in patients with back pain, knee joint issues and with a variety of ankle and foot conditions.
Although clinical uses have really taken off over the last decade, the first reported use of amniotic tissue for orthopedic conditions dates back to 1927. Since then, we have learned much more about this fascinating tissue and fluid. Amniotic tissue and amniotic fluid surrounds the fetus during pregnancy and provides both protection and nourishment for the developing baby. Not surprisingly, both amniotic membranes and amniotic fluid are packed with proteins, peptides, carbohydrates, amino acids, enzymes and hormones. Essentially, these tissues can help expedite recovery.
Amniotic Tissue And Foot Surgery
Amniotic tissue can provide a number of unique benefits when used during orthopedic surgery. Recent publications have demonstrated the ability of the tissues to:
- Stimulate new cell growth
- Inhibit fibrotic tissue formation
- Reduce inflammation
- Create stronger connections between cells
- Repair damaged cartilage
- Prevent tendon adhesion
- Provide antimicrobial benefits
Amniotic tissue and amniotic fluid can be delivered to the operating site in a few different ways. The tissue can be placed or administered during office based procedures. In surgery, amniotic membrane can be used to wrap tendons following a repair procedure. It can be used alone or in conjunction with a collagen wrap because of its published ability to function as a tissue plane preserver and ability to inhibit fibrotic tissue formation (scar formation). The amniotic membrane also provides a protective sheath around the recovering tendons, helping to reduce inflammation and prevent infection.
Some foot and ankle conditions that could benefit from amniotic tissue wrapping or amniotic fluid include ankle arthritis, nerve entrapment, tendon tears and plantar fasciitis. It can help with tissue recovery in an injured area and get you back on your feet sooner. Unfortunately, many insurances do not cover this procedure. This is not uncommon as new products and new procedures often take years before insurances no longer deem them “experimental” or “investigational.” We will gladly go into further details about the potential cost of the tissue and all the available options and alternatives. The data and results of these products are so compelling, and as a recipient of an amniotic fluid injection himself, Dr. Silverman feels ethically compelled to offer the treatment to his patients.
“I tried many of the available options including physical therapy, cortisone, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. But a month after an amniotic fluid injection, I felt as if decades of problems had been eliminated. This injection has given me a whole new perspective on care of my own patients,” said Dr. Silverman.
If you are interested in learning more about how we use amniotic tissue, and in whom we use it please reach out to Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot.
