A non-surgical solution when rest, orthotics, and therapy aren’t enough
If you’ve been battling chronic heel pain or ankle arthritis and feel like you’ve already tried everything—stretching, orthotics, physical therapy, injections—it may be time to consider regenerative medicine.
At Lighthouse Foot and Ankle Center, we offer a treatment that harnesses natural growth factors to reduce inflammation and promote true healing at the cellular level. This advanced therapy is ideal for patients who want to avoid surgery but need more than conservative care.
What Is Regenerative Medicine?
We use DPMx, a structural tissue allograft derived from the umbilical cord that contains a high concentration of growth factors, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and other naturally occurring extracellular matrix proteins. This proprietary formulation supports healing, reduces inflammation, and encourages your body to repair damaged soft tissue.
This type of treatment is ideal for:
- Chronic plantar fasciitis
- Partial tendon tears
- Ankle arthritis
- Soft tissue injuries that haven’t responded to conservative care
When Is It Time for Regenerative Therapy?
Regenerative medicine isn’t the first step—but it’s an excellent option when:
- You’ve had pain for more than 6 months
- Conservative treatments like rest, ice, stretching, orthotics, and injections haven’t worked
- You’re trying to avoid surgery
- Your pain is interfering with daily life, exercise, or sleep
This is especially helpful for patients who have “plateaued” in recovery—where inflammation has turned into tissue degeneration or chronic damage.
Diagnosis First: Why We Often Recommend an MRI
Before proceeding with a regenerative injection, we want to be confident we’re treating the right issue—especially when there’s a concern for a tendon or plantar fascia tear.
While ultrasound can be helpful, MRI provides a more complete picture of soft tissue damage, inflammation, and degeneration. We often recommend an MRI if:
- Your pain is localized and persistent
- We suspect a partial tear or degeneration that could benefit from regenerative support
- You’ve had limited or no improvement with standard treatments
A clear diagnosis allows us to deliver the injection in the right location—and increases your chances of success.
What to Expect from the Injection
- The procedure is performed in-office under ultrasound guidance for precise placement
- Minimal downtime—most patients resume normal activity with some short-term activity modification
- Results are gradual, with pain typically improving over 6–12 weeks, and continued healing over several months
Unlike cortisone, regenerative injections don’t just mask pain—they promote tissue repair. And unlike surgery, there’s no anesthesia, incision, or lengthy recovery time.
Why Choose Direct Care for Regenerative Medicine?
As a direct care podiatrist, I work for you—not your insurance company. That means:
- No referral or authorization delays
- Upfront pricing with no surprise bills
- More time to evaluate and treat the root cause of your pain
Many insurance plans won’t cover regenerative therapy, but patients choose this option for one simple reason: it works when other treatments haven’t—and it may help you avoid surgery entirely.
Ready to Explore Regenerative Relief?
If you’re dealing with stubborn heel pain, ankle arthritis, or tendon injury, regenerative medicine may be the next step. We’ll start with a thorough evaluation, review your imaging (or order an MRI if needed), and help you decide if DPMx regenerative injection is right for you.
📍 Lighthouse Foot and Ankle Center
23 Spring St. Suite B, Scarborough, Maine 04074
📞 207-774-0028
🌐 www.lighthousefootandankle.com
