We are excited to introduce a new injectable therapy available at Martin Foot & Ankle for those suffering from chronic joint pain, and tendonitis: Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Injections. If you are unfamiliar with ECM Injections, we will walk you through how this state of the art technology is derived and the benefits compared to invasive surgeries and injection options.
What are Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Injections?
The Extracellular Matrix is pulled from placental tissue that contains the same main components as connective tissues including fibers, ground substance and cells. The placental tissue used is from donations made after full-term pregnancy and birth. Connective tissue’s purpose in the body is to bind organs, provide structural support, enable movement, and offer protection. So when connective tissues begin to fail, it can cause a great deal of pain. Extracellular Matrix Injections allow us to easily inject the ECM to help ease inflammation and encourage cell regeneration in areas where the connective tissue needs support. The ECM acts as a scaffold of sorts to strengthen already existing connective tissue.
Benefits of Using ECM
In a study(opens in a new tab) of patients dealing with pain from tendonitis, 9/10 patients experienced a significant decrease in their day-to-day pain in the month following the ECM injection. The injection is a non-invasive, simple in-office procedure that requires no operation. There is no painful recovery, and patients are able to leave the office as they came in. Placental tissues where the ECM is drawn from have also been reported to be non-immunogenic, meaning that the injection elicits little or no immune response, reducing the risk of rejection. The ECM injection also improves upon the technology of a traditional steroid injection. Over time steroid injections can cause the cartilage in joints to gradually deteriorate. ECM injections do no damage to the existing cartilage, and therefore can be used to help ease pain without causing harm to another part of the body.
Is ECM Right for You?
Our goal at Martin Foot and Ankle is to get you back on your feet, pain-free. If you have been experiencing persistent pain in your joints or tendons, give us a call at (717) 757-3537, or schedule your initial appointment online. Our expert podiatrists can help diagnose the cause of your pain, and determine if ECM injections are the right treatment for you.
