Injury recovery is a resource-intensive bodily process. Whenever your body repairs itself, it consumes a lot of energy and nutrients to initiate tissue regeneration. While your body has the inherent ability to heal itself, healing mechanisms can take a long time for more severe or complex injuries.
The significant advances in medical research and technology have unearthed a broad variety of regenerative approaches. One such therapeutic approach is amniotic therapy which, in the field of orthopedics, has piqued the interest of more and more practitioners for its remarkable benefits for a wide range of musculoskeletal problems.
If this is the first time you’ve come across the term “amniotic healing,” and you’re wondering how it could benefit your orthopedic injury, and if it’s right for you, read on to get a better insight into this innovative treatment modality.
What is Amniotic Healing and How Does It Work?
The amniotic membrane is the thin membrane found inside the fetal placenta. This membrane is rich in collagen and growth factors, which promote tissue regeneration, and consequently, wound healing or injury repair.
Amniotic membrane is obtained from consenting mothers via caesarean delivery. After it is procured, it is sent to an FDA-approved facility, where it is screened and processed.
Amniotic therapy involves an orthopedic physician injecting a special solution containing amniotic membrane cells into the diseased or injured area. Healing is expected to begin immediately after the solution is administered.
According to studies, patients reported significant symptom improvement right after the initial session. However, it is important to take note that different patients experience different rates of healing and recovery. Generally, it takes up to eight weeks for you to see your desired result.
What are the Benefits of Amniotic Healing?
The amniotic membrane contains bioactive agents, such as anti-inflammatory cytokines, collagen, stem cells, and other growth factors, which all help accelerate your body’s natural healing processes.
- Cytokines- substances your immune system secretes to help protect and repair your body
- Collagen – protein that gives the structure of our cells and helps hold the body together
- Stem cells – special human cells that have the ability to transform into various cell types
- Growth factors – group of proteins that play a crucial role in promoting cell differentiation and division
While the therapy is not a cure-all, it does have significant benefits, such as the following:
- Anti-inflammatory effects – suppress the cytokines that promote inflammation.
- Antimicrobial properties– reduce bacterial counts
- An all-natural solution – presents low risk of rejection
- Analgesic properties – provides effective pain relief
Several studies have found that this therapy may be beneficial for treating arthritis and a wide range of overuse and sports injuries, including jumper’s knee, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and golfer’s elbow.
Amniotic Healing Therapy in Austin, TX
If you want to find out if amniotic therapy is right for you, visit us here at All-Star Orthopedics of Austin. Dr. Carolyn Hyde, our highly qualified orthopedic specialist, takes a unique approach to treating musculoskeletal problems. She will thoroughly assess your condition to determine whether amniotic therapy, or any other regenerative medicine approach (e.g., PRP or stem cell therapy), is most suitable for your specific condition or injury.
If you have questions and would like to know more about our services, you can give us a call at (512) 346-4933. You can fill out this secure form to arrange an appointment with Dr. Hyde. We look forward to serving you!
