Regenerative Medicine
Shockwave Therapy / EPAT
What is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT) is the most advanced and highly effective non-invasive treatment method cleared by the FDA. This type of regenerative medicine uses pressure waves to stimulate the metabolism, enhance blood circulation and accelerate the healing process. Because this process stimulates your own cells and tissues to regenerate, the treated area is often stronger than it was in the first place.
What foot and ankle conditions can be treated?
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Other tendon and/or tendon insertion pain
- Neuromas
- Trigger points
What are the benefits of EPAT?
- Non-invasive
- No anesthesia
- No risk of infection
- No scarring
- No downtime
- Over 80% patient satisfaction
- Faster, easier healing
How is the treatment performed?
You will be seated comfortably in a treatment chair. Your physician will identify your area(s) of maximal tenderness. Coupling gel will then be applied to the specified treatment area to enhance effectiveness. After these preparations, EPAT pressure waves are released via the applicator which is moved over the area in a circular motion. Treatment sessions take approximately 5-10 minutes. Generally, 3 treatment sessions are necessary at weekly intervals.
What are the expected results?
The beneficial effects of shockwave therapy are often experienced after only 3 treatments. Some patients report immediate pain relief after the treatment, although it can take up to 4 weeks for pain relief to begin. The procedure eliminates pain and restores full mobility, thus improving your quality of life. Over 80% of patients treated report to be pain free and/or have significant pain reduction.
Payment and insurance
Insurance typically does not cover the EPAT® procedure; however, EPAT® is a cost-effective treatment if you compare the cost to paying deductibles, multiple co-pays, surgery, post-operative surgical care and rehabilitation. This non-invasive option will be particularly appealing to those patients who are eager to return to work or normal activities in only a few days with just as good, if not better, clinical results compared to traditional treatment methods, including surgery.
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy is another form of regenerative medicine. Stem cell therapy has been shown to heal damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and jumpstart the healing process. Stem cells are undeveloped cells that are capable of replicating and/or duplicating themselves into any body cell. This means that if you have a bone, muscle, skin, tendon, or cartilage problem, these cells can rush to the site of injury and begin repairing it immediately. Stem cell therapy is safe and offers the potential to avoid surgery. At Foot and Ankle Center of the Rockies, we offer two types of stem cell therapy – platelet rich plasma (PRP) and amniotic stem cell therapy. Your successful treatment outcome is contingent upon our physicians ensuring the latest techniques and providing cutting edge treatment in regenerative cell-based therapy.
PRP
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) provides an innovative modern approach in the treatment of various common orthopedic conditions. It is replacing traditional orthopedic surgery in many instances for conditions ranging from soft tissue injuries (i.e. tendonitis, muscle tears, plantar fasciitis, ligamentous injuries) to various joint afflictions, such as mild to moderate arthritis in the joint as well as numerous chronic conditions. PRP is a concentration of platelet cells taken from your blood, and these platelets have growth factors that signal the body to initiate a healing response. By injecting PRP into areas of an injury, the hope is to stimulate and optimize your body's ability to heal and restore the normal architecture and strength of damaged tissue. It is safe as it utilizes your own blood, thereby providing minimal risk or contraindications. The number of injections is based on the severity of your condition and the response to therapy. The entire process may take about 20 minutes whereas most of the time involves drawing the blood and processing the patient’s blood for the injection. Once the injection is given, the treatment is complete and the patient generally can resume normal activity, unless otherwise specified by their physician. A follow up appointment may involve a second injection to be determined by your physician at that time.
Amniotic Stem Cells
Amniotic regenerative cells are derived from the fluid that surrounds the fetus during pregnancy. These regenerative cells are in the fluid and the amniotic sac, not the embryo. Through a process called amniocentesis, these specific cells can be safely extracted from the amniotic fluid of a consenting donor for use in medical applications. It has shown promising outcomes in treatments for progressive and degenerative conditions including arthritis, tendonitis, as well as slow-healing wounds. The procedure is also quick as it can be induced in an injection format or may also be formulated within a skin graft to aid in wound healing.