Is foot pain stopping you from leading an active life? Our minimally invasive regenerative treatments could help you enjoy your life the way you want to.
What treatments does Jorja Healthcare Regenerative Treatments offer?
Our renowned medical team provides a range of non-invasive treatments, from the traditional to the innovative. Many of our treatments can be carried out on an outpatient basis, without the need for a hospital stay. In fact, many patients can resume their normal activities within several hours of their visit!
Micro-Fragmented Adipose Tissue (MFAT)
Over a one-day period, this treatment is exclusively offered to our patients. MFAT Injections use a pioneering technology whereby your body’s own adipose (fat) cells are used to treat pain and inflammation. MFAT Injections are minimally invasive due to the guidance of ultrasound. Altogether the procedure takes about an hour to perform with a minimal recovery time. As well as being a potential alternative to surgery, MFAT Injections can also aid post-surgery recovery.
Read Angela’s story who had this treatment in her knees. She is now pain free and her life has changed completely.
Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)
BMAC Injections harness the natural healing abilities of your own mesenchymal stem cells, found in the bone marrow, to regenerate and reconstruct the musculoskeletal system by replacing cells and tissues damaged by degenerative diseases or trauma. BMAC Injections treat pain and inflammation by accelerating healing through the assistance of biological growth factors. This minimally invasive, day-case procedure is done under x-ray guidance and has a minimal recovery time. Our innovative BMAC Injections offer an alternative treatment plan to traditional invasive surgery.
This is an effective and well-researched procedure that’s a potential alternative to surgery. It takes advantage of the blood’s natural healing properties to reduce pain and improve joint function. It uses a specially concentrated dosage of platelets prepared from your own blood to repair damaged cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscle and bone. Treatment is administered via an injection and depending on the injury two to six injections may be required, performed at weekly intervals. Patients usually see their symptoms improve within four to six weeks of having the injections. PRP is a safe treatment option which, because your own blood is used, carries no risk of allergic reaction. Read more clinical evidence supporting PRP here.
Read Eddie’s Story. The British former professional strongman and World’s Strongest Man 2017 winner Eddie Hall recently received PRP Therapy.
nSTRIDE® Autologous Protein Solution
The nSTRIDE APS injection treatment is designed to alleviate pain. It is an autologous solution meaning that it is prepared from a sample of your own blood. Within osteoarthritic joints, inflammatory (swelling) proteins are present in a much greater concentration than anti-inflammatory proteins, causing a gradual breakdown of the cartilage. nSTRIDE APS injections contain a solution of concentrated anti-inflammatory proteins which restore the balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory proteins by preventing the activity/function of inflammatory proteins. This results in the reduction of inflammation and prevents any further deterioration of cartilage. nSTRIDE APS injections also contain anabolic proteins which stimulate the growth of cartilage and aids in the reduction and potential reversal of progression of osteoarthritis.
Are sometimes recommended if you’ve not had much success with the first-step approaches of painkillers, rest, stretching and physiotherapy.
What causes peroneal tendinopathy?
Peroneal tendinopathy is an overuse injury that results in pain to the back of the foot or the outside of the lower leg. It’s common in athletes and runners and can be caused by a sudden increase in training or physical activity such as walking, running or jumping.
Improper training can also cause peroneal tendinopathy and so can wearing unsupportive footwear.
Peroneal tendinopathy may also be found in people who have muscle imbalance. This is where one muscle is stronger than the others and it pulls on the peroneal tendon causing tendonitis. It can also occur in people who have high foot arches.
What are the symptoms of peroneal tendinopathy?
Peroneal tendinopathy can either be acute meaning symptoms come on suddenly or chronic where symptoms build up over time. With both forms of peroneal tendinopathy, you may experience:
- Pain at the back of the ankle which worsens during activity
- Pain and discomfort when turning the foot in or out
- A warm feeling around the back or outside of the foot
- Swelling at the back or on the outside of the foot
- Instability of the ankle when bearing weight on the foot
If left untreated, over time scar tissue will form to protect the damaged peroneal tendon. This weakens the tendon and makes it more prone to tearing.
How is peroneal tendinopathy diagnosed?
If you are experiencing pain to the back of your foot or lower leg, a doctor will examine your foot applying pressure to different areas to see where it hurts. In some cases, the doctor may refer you to have an:
- X-ray – to see if there any other bone problems which could be causing the pain
- MRI – using a magnetic field and radio waves a detailed image of the foot is created which can reveal subtle changes in the patellar tendon
- Ultrasound – sound waves are used to create an image of your foot which can reveal any abnormal swelling or scar tissue in the peroneal tendon
What are the non-surgical options for peroneal tendinopathy?
Treatment for peroneal tendinopathy aims to relieve symptoms and improve the function of the foot and ankle.
Initial treatment may include medications such as analgesics which help reduce the pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – NSAIDS – which reduce the pain and inflammation and steroid injections which reduce inflammation and provide short-term relief.
Lifestyle modifications, such as restricting the amount of exercise you do and getting plenty of rest can help in the treatment of peroneal tendinopathy.
Applying ice to the area can help relieve the pain, particularly after exercise. If you do this, it’s important to place a cloth between the ice and your skin to prevent you getting an ice-burn.
It may be recommended that you wear a brace during activities that involve repetitive ankle motion. Your doctor may also advise you to carry out a range of exercises and stretches (once the pain has decreased) to strengthen the foot and ankle and to improve flexibility.
Our expert team specialises in treating peroneal tendinopathy using advanced non-surgical techniques including mesenchymal stem cell therapy, Micro-Fragmented Adipose Tissue (MFAT), Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).
What are the surgical options for peroneal tendinopathy?
Surgery is rarely recommended as a treatment for peroneal tendinopathy, but it may be an option if your symptoms don’t improve with other non-surgical treatments.
If the tissue around the peroneal tendon is causing irritation and discomfort, your surgeon may remove it by performing a tendon release or tenotomy. A tendon release is where the surgeon cuts severely tight tendons from the muscle to allow for more flexibility of the ankle.
If the peroneal tendonitis has caused a tear in the peroneal tendon your surgeon may look to repair the tendon.
While the surgery is a routine procedure, it will involve a period of rehabilitation afterward.
Why have a consultation at Jorja Healthcare Regenerative Treatments?
Our innovative range of treatments goes beyond what’s available on the NHS. As well as providing a full opinion on your condition that includes all the traditional non-surgical and surgical options, our experienced consultants will also assess your suitability for our alternative biological therapies, Micro-Fragmented Adipose Tissue (MFAT), Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).
Who will my consultation be with?
Your consultation will be with one of our foot specialists and will last approximately 30 minutes. On the day, or the day before you will be asked to attend for an MRI scan.
As well as undertaking an examination, our specialists will take details of your medical history and discuss your symptoms. They will also detail all your treatment options and cover their potential benefits and risks.
Our expert team comprises of highly experienced surgeons, sports medicine doctors and physiotherapists who are committed to delivering a high level of care and the correct treatment option so you can quickly get back to moving around.
What is the autologus biological approach and when should it be considered?
Autologous means ‘from the same person’ rather than from a donor. Essentially, your own cells are used to encourage healing. With this type of treatment, there’s a dramatic reduction in the risks of the rejection, infection or contamination that come with using material from someone else. The innovative therapies we offer are based on this idea. If you’ve found traditional treatments aren’t helping your pain, of if you’re looking for a possible alternative to surgery, then this approach is one to consider.
Clinical evidence
Biological treatments are pioneering procedures and we’re continuously monitoring and recording its effectiveness. Patients undertaking these treatments are asked to complete pre-operative and post-operative questionnaires.
The information obtained from these questionnaires allows us to monitor your progress and it also contributes to our evidence-based database and other global studies on biological treatments. All information gathered is anonymised.