In the fight against pain and inflammation in the foot and ankle, injectable therapies are becoming an increasing priority. This is due to the fact that unlike oral therapy, where the effect is achieved by cumulative (accumulation) in the blood of the drug, injections allow delivering the necessary concentration of the drug directly to the focus of inflammation, which allows to quickly control inflammation and relieve pain.
At Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic, under the direction of the podiatry specialist Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM, we use various types of injection therapy - cortisone injections, plasma therapy (PRP), and amniotic injections.
Individual choice of injection treatment in each case can provide:
- rapid analgesic effect;
- reduce inflammation reactions;
- stimulate tissue regeneration processes.
The exceptional properties of injection therapy provide high efficiency in the treatment of chronic podologic diseases, help to keep active and avoid surgical intervention.
When Are Injection Therapies Recommended?
Injection treatment in podiatry is recommended for a number of diseases and conditions when conservative therapy fails to produce the desired results.
Recommendations for injectable treatment
- Chronic inflammatory diseases of the joints of the foot (arthritis, bursitis).
- Cartilage damage (in arthritis of the ankle joint);
- Acute tendinitis (inflammation of tendons).
- Heel spurs.
- Plantar fasciitis.
- Morton's neuroma.
- Delayed fusion of the bones of the foot in fractures.
- Chronic trophic ulcers.
- Burns of the foot.
- Prevention of complications after surgical interventions.
Preparation for Injection Therapy
Proper preparation for injection therapy is an important factor in maximizing the effect of treatment and reducing the risk of complications.
Preparation includes several stepsm starting with consultation with a podologist:
- the doctor will ask you in detail about your complaints, past illnesses, allergies and medications you are taking;
- will conduct a visual inspection and palpation of the feet and ankles to identify foci of inflammation, deformities and other pathologies;
- determine the most appropriate medication (corticosteroids, PRP, amniotic injections) and injection technique depending on your diagnosis;
- prescribe the necessary diagnostic tests that may include:
- General blood tests - to determine the general condition of the body and the presence of inflammatory processes.
- Blood tests for clotting, which is important to prevent bleeding after the injection.
- Tests for infections - according to individual indicators.
Preparation for the procedure
- A few days before the procedure to reduce the risk of bleeding, discontinue any blood thinning medications.
- Thoroughly wash and dry ankles and feet before the procedure.
- Clothing should be comfortable and not restrictive, and shoes should be easy to remove and put on.
The Injection Therapy Process
At Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic, we use a variety of injection therapies to treat various foot and ankle conditions. For each patient, the treatment method is individualized according to the patient's condition.
The indications for steroid injection are numerous
- Plantar fasciitis: cortisone injections help to reduce inflammation in the plantar fascia and relieve heel pain.
- Morton's neuroma: steroid injections help reduce swelling and pressure on the nerve, reducing pain.
- Ankle arthritis: cortisone, when injected into the ankle joint, helps reduce inflammation and improve joint mobility.
- Bursitis: injections for bursitis reduce inflammation in the synovial bag, relieving pain and discomfort
The procedure for cortisone injection is simple:
- before injection, the doctor treats the skin with antiseptic to prevent infection;
- Inserts a needle into the area of inflammation and slowly injects the drug into the joint or soft tissue.
PRP (plasma therapy)
This is a method of stimulating tissue healing processes. It is based on treatment with plasma with increased concentration of platelets. The preparation is made from the patient's blood. It is especially effective in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, where restoration of damaged tissues is required:
- injections in plantar fasciitis - contribute to the restoration of damaged fascia, accelerating healing;
- in the treatment of tendinopathia - helps to repair tendons, reducing pain and improving function;
- injections for foot pain (for Morton's neuroma) - help repair damaged tissue around the nerve and reduce pain symptoms.
PRP procedure:
- a small amount of blood is drawn from the patient's vein;
- the blood is centrifuged to separate the platelet-rich plasma;
- the prepared preparation is injected into the affected area, stimulating natural regeneration processes.
Amniotic injections
This method is valued for its powerful anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects. The treatment is based on the use of amniotic waters rich in growth factors and cells that promote tissue repair processes.
- Injection of amniotic preparation into the ankle joint in arthritis slows down the destruction of articular cartilage and reduces inflammation.
- In bursitis, this method accelerates healing of the inflamed bursa, reduces pain and improves mobility.
- For tendon injuries, amniotic injections stimulate repair and improvement of tissue structures.
Procedure:
- donor amniotic fluid, prepared for injection;
- the drug is injected into the area of the lesion, where it promotes tissue repair and reduces inflammation.
Injection therapy is an effective method of treating various foot and ankle conditions, especially painful and inflammatory conditions.
Expected Outcomes
Injection therapy can bring significant relief and improvement for a variety of podiatric conditions. These are:
- rapid reduction or complete disappearance of pain sensations;
- reduction of swelling and redness of the tissues;
- restoration of tissue and normal range of motion;
- normalization of the functions of the foot and ankle, increasing their resistance to stress.
Benefits of Injection Therapies at Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic
Why choose injection therapy at our clinic?
- Our leading specialist with many years of experience Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM will choose the optimal treatment method for you, taking into account all the peculiarities of your disease.
- To maximize the effect, we use the latest technologies and preparations.
- The injections we use allow us to quickly relieve pain and inflammation.
- Our procedures are carried out in compliance with all sanitary norms and rules.
If you are suffering from foot and joint pain, do not delay treatment! Contact Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic. We can help you get rid of your pain and get your feet back to health.