With Spring right around the corner, Michigan residents are itching to get out and enjoy outdoor activities. Runners in particular are ready to lace up and hit the roads. The downside to this increase in running is that very quickly, more injuries start to show up in clinics across Michigan. Whether it’s plantar fasciitis, Achilles pain, IT band syndrome, or runner’s knee, these types of injuries tend to linger, worsening with every running session. The good news, though, is that runners can find relief by using regenerative medicine to address the root cause of these injuries instead of just masking the pain.
Why Runners Are Getting Injured More Often
Thanks to a variety of factors, people are increasingly recognizing the importance of staying active and moving as they age, which is great news for long-term health. The problem for new runners arises in that tendons and ligaments haven’t been conditioned and can break down under the load introduced by an active running regimen. While running and any exercise that makes you more active is a good thing, it’s important to understand that if you’re new to the sport, you may experience a minor injury, and it’s important not to let this injury be the reason you stop moving permanently! Too often, as we age, we experience a minor injury, don’t get it treated, or receive treatment that doesn’t address the root issue, and we become sedentary again. At The Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine, one of our missions is to help runners, new and old, get and stay active.
The Most Common Running Injuries Treated At The Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine
We treat a number of running injuries here at The Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine. A few of the more common injuries include:
- Achilles tendinopathy – the tendon that connects the calf to the heel is prone to overuse injuries.
- Plantar fasciitis – inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. This injury is extremely common in runners.
- Runner’s knee – pain around the kneecap, often occurring from repetitive impact
- IT band syndrome – irritation along the iliotibial band, which runs on the outside of the knee.
- Medial meniscus and ligament strains – minor tearing or looseness caused by repetitive movements common among runners.
How PRP Works for Running Injuries
Most running injuries involve tendon, ligament, or minor cartilage damage. These injuries are ideal for what PRP is designed to support. Dr. Nabity often refers to these tendons and ligaments as rubber bands. When they’re healthy, they’re tight and keep joints aligned and absorb force properly. Overuse injuries cause these “rubber bands” to weaken, making them unable to do their job. PRP delivers a concentrated dose of the body’s own growth factors directly into these tendons and ligaments to initiate the healing process.
What Regenerative Medicine Treatment Actually Looks Like for a Runner
Below is the approach our board-certified doctors at The Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine use for common running injuries.
- Consultation – Your first visit to our regenerative medicine clinic will include a thorough exam and imaging to confirm the diagnosis and identify which structures in your body may be affected.
- PRP Processing – All PRP is processed in-house at our clinic using our state-of-the-art on-site lab. This lab allows us to provide same-day processing, ensuring the highest quality, most concentrated PRP product for each of our patients.
- Ultrasound-Guided Injections – All injections are performed under ultrasound or X-ray guidance, which helps ensure the product targets only the damaged structures.
- Rehabilitation – Once a procedure is complete, our doctors will advise runners on a rehabilitation plan to get them back to pain-free activity as quickly and safely as possible.
Dealing With a Nagging Running Injury? Schedule a Regenerative Medicine Consultation Today
If you’ve been dealing with a running injury that isn’t improving, give the team at The Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine a call today at (248) 216-1008 to schedule a consultation. One of our board-certified physicians would be happy to offer a consultation to help identify the root cause of your pain. We look forward to speaking with you today.