AmnioFix® Heel Pain Treatment

One of the exciting things about working in the field of medicine is the fact that new technologies and therapies continually emerge so we can provide better care for our patients. A prime example of this is a new form of heel pain treatment known as AmnioFix® that we are pleased to provide here at Capital District Podiatry. This effective therapy has been used for world-class athletes, but you don’t need to play in the NBA to receive its remarkable benefits!

Introducing AmnioFix®!

As is the case with many technological advances, this treatment started out in a completely different area than how we now use it in the field of podiatry. Initially, it was conceived as a way to use amniotic material (found in placenta lining) to help wounds heal more quickly, particularly those that were not healing at all. This regenerative biomaterial with thirteen growth factors (including epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor, and platelet derived growth factor) was delivered via a patch or wrap.

Now, the amniotic membrane containing the valuable growth factors has been micronized, which means that it is broken down into an injectable version. Through this process, the product is still able to maintain its properties to promote faster tissue regeneration and healing. What this means for you is that we are able to inject this regenerative product into damage tissues to allow for safe, expedient injury recovery, including for some of the most common sources of heel pain.

Heel Pain 101

Here’s a quick look at two common foot and ankle injuries this exciting remedy can help treat.

For adult patients, the most common source of pain in the heel is plantar fasciitis. This condition develops when the plantar fascia—a tough, fibrous band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and helps support the foot arch—is subjected to excessive force or physical stress. When this happens, tiny tears form in the fascia.

Plantar fasciitis pain is often experienced with the initial steps following extended periods of rest, especially a night’s sleep. This is because the body uses the downtime to start repairing the damaged tissue. When the tissue is not completely healed and steps are taken, the tears rip back open, which causes the sharp, intense pain.

Another source of heel pain is Achilles tendinitis. As with plantar fascia, this is an overuse injury that happens to soft tissue—in this case the Achilles tendon. This form of tendinitis is common for runners and “weekend warriors” (adults who often are sedentary during the week but engage in intense athletic activity on the weekends).

AmnioFix® and Athletes

This therapy can be effective for anyone, but is particularly appealing to athletes. It is a great alternative to surgical procedures and does not come with the disappointment that can be faced by failed cortisone shots. This advanced treatment option has been used to treat pro basketball players in the NBA, though you do not have to be a professional athlete to receive it.

Heel Pain Treatment in Clifton Park, NY

AmnioFix® is one form of treatment that we might recommend for your discomfort, but there are several other approaches we might use as well. Our treatment plan will depend on your unique situation, including foot structure and gait pattern. If you have any questions about care we can provide, simply give us a call at (518) 273-0053, or schedule an appointment at either our Clifton Park or Troy, NY offices online today.

For more information, be sure to request your complimentary copy of Stop Heel Pain: A Guide to Heel and Foot Pain by filling out the online form found here on our website. When you do, we will send you a free copy without any further obligation on your part.