Foot and ankle injuries are common, and we see and treat all types at Central Kansas Podiatry Associates. Injuries to the foot or ankle can happen anywhere—while exercising, working, or enjoying activities at home. Whether you’ve broken your foot, sprained an ankle, or need custom orthotics for other foot issues, we assess and treat all foot and ankle injuries and work to get patients on their feet again as quickly as possible.
Our experienced podiatrist, Dr. Benjamin Weaver, uses many different types of treatment for foot and ankle injuries. One new treatment is a next-generation oral peptide: Synapep BPC-157. Here, Dr. Weaver discusses this oral treatment for common foot and ankle injuries and how it works.
Understanding Synapep BPC-157 and Its Potential Benefits
Foot and ankle injuries can often be difficult to heal because there is limited blood flow to these areas. Some podiatrists are now using a new oral peptide medication called Synapep BPC-157 (Synapep) to speed recovery and reduce inflammation in injured tissues. This cutting-edge oral peptide formulation is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional peptide delivery. It has been found to address complex and chronic foot and ankle conditions, and is especially effective when used with platelet-rich plasma, stem cell therapies, or biologics.
Oral peptides for foot and ankle injuries offer a less invasive and more convenient alternative to injectable treatments, though they may be absorbed and utilized by the body less efficiently. The specific peptides used in regenerative medicine can help promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and accelerate healing.
Synapep was first used to treat intestinal and bowel disorders like inflammatory bowel disease and leaky gut syndrome. Recently, however, doctors have found it also has healing effects on musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. Podiatrists are now using oral Synapep to accelerate recovery from many common foot and ankle problems.
Possible Benefits of Synapep
There are specific ways Synapep may benefit patients with foot and ankle injuries, including the following:
- It may accelerate healing. Peptides stimulate the body's natural repair processes, which can speed up recovery time for soft tissue injuries like sprains and tendinitis. For example, BPC-157 has shown promise in animal studies for improving tendon and ligament healing.
- It may reduce inflammation. Certain peptides, including BPC-157, have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling and pain associated with injuries. This allows for faster healing and a quicker return to normal activity.
- It may increase collagen production. Increased collagen production: Peptides signal the body to produce more collagen, a crucial component for building strong tendons, ligaments, and bone tissue. Specific collagen peptides have shown promise in improving joint health and reducing pain in osteoarthritis patients.
- It may enhance bone regeneration. Some peptides have been researched for their ability to promote bone formation and mineralization, which could support the healing of fractures.
- It provides a less invasive treatment. Oral medication is easy to take and can eliminate the need for frequent injections, which some patients prefer.
Synapep for Certain Types of Foot and Ankle Injuries
Some podiatrists may use Synapep for the following types of foot and ankle problems:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Post-surgical foot and ankle repair
- Chronic ankle instability
- Ligament and tendon injuries
- Nerve-related heel and foot pain
Why Does Synapep Help Heal Foot and Ankle Injuries?
The foot and ankle are made of 28 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 ligaments, tendons, and muscles. They are critical for supporting body weight and maintaining balance, stability, and mobility. If you have any type of injury, pain, or misalignment in the feet or ankles, it can impact not only your posture and movement, but it can also cause pain and medical problems with your knees, hips, and/or lower back. It’s important to address foot and ankle pain and injuries quickly to help maintain an active lifestyle.
Synapep addresses some of the primary issues in foot and ankle injuries, including slower healing due to limited blood circulation and chronic inflammation, if it inhibits recovery. It does so in the following ways:
- It stimulates angiogenesis. By triggering the formation of new capillaries, BPC-157 enhances blood flow to injured foot and ankle tissues. This brings healing oxygen and nutrients to the area.
- It reduces inflammation. BPC-157 has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling and pain. This allows better range of motion during recovery.
- It increases collagen production. Collagen is the main structural protein in connective tissues like tendons and ligaments. BPC-157 upregulates collagen synthesis to repair and strengthen damaged tissues.
- It protects cartilage. Studies show BPC-157 may slow the progression of osteoarthritis by preventing the breakdown of cartilage and synovial tissue in joints. This could help conditions like ankle arthritis.
Many podiatrists find that oral Synapep is particularly effective for soft tissue injuries like Achilles tendinitis, ankle sprains, and plantar fasciitis. These are slow-healing and prone to chronic inflammation. The healing and anti-inflammatory actions of Synapep help speed recovery.
Advantages of Oral Synapep Over Other Treatments
Some of our patients ask Dr. Weaver why he would choose an oral peptide medication over more high-tech treatments such as laser therapy. While treatments like laser, shockwave, stem cells, and PRP can definitely stimulate healing, oral Synapep has some unique advantages, including the following:
- Systemic effects. Because it's taken orally, Synapep has systemic effects and is distributed throughout the body. This provides more widespread anti-inflammatory benefits compared to localized treatments.
- Ease of use. Patients simply take the oral medication daily rather than coming into the podiatry office for treatments. This makes it easier to comply with treatment.
- Affordability. High-tech regenerative medicine treatments can be quite costly and are often not covered by insurance. Oral Synapep is more economical for patients.
- Enhances other treatments. Synapep can be used in conjunction with other therapies like laser, physical therapy, or regenerative medicine. Its healing effects are synergistic.
Research and clinical results show positive results for Synapep as a safe and effective treatment for many foot and ankle soft tissue injuries.
Additional Potential Benefits of Synapep
There are other possible benefits when you use this oral medication for your foot or ankle pain, including the following:
Limitations of Non-Prescription Treatments
While there are many non-prescription treatments used for foot and ankle injuries, such as rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and supplements, these options have limitations, including the following:
- Many non-prescription treatments relieve symptoms of pain and inflammation but do not actively stimulate the healing of injured tissues. Synapep goes beyond symptom management to address the underlying damage.
- Many non-prescription treatments are insufficient for severe injuries. For more severe foot and ankle injuries like grade 2-3 ankle sprains, moderate to severe Achilles tendinitis, or chronic plantar fasciitis, non-prescription remedies are often not potent enough. The regenerative properties of Synapep are better suited for these types of problems.
- Many NSAIDs have side effects. Long-term use of oral NSAIDs can lead to side effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage, and increased cardiovascular risk. Synapep has a better safety profile for extended use.
Synapep Targets the Underlying Pathology
The pathology of soft tissue injuries involves a combination of torn fibers, bleeding, inflammation, and poor blood flow. Over time, the healing process can stall, especially in the lower limbs. This can lead to chronic dysfunction and re-injury.
Synapep Is Effective When Used With Other Podiatric Treatments
Podiatrists often use a multi-faceted approach to help patients recover from foot and ankle injuries. Synapep does not replace other treatments; rather, it can enhance their effectiveness in the following ways:
- Accelerates rehabilitation. Synapep can help patients progress faster with physical therapy and return to weight-bearing exercise sooner by strengthening healing tissues.
- Combines well with regenerative medicine. Used in conjunction with treatments like PRP, stem cells, and exosomes, Synapep can further boost the regenerative response for optimal tissue repair.
- Supports post-surgical healing. For injuries that require surgery, like tendon or ligament tears, Synapep may be used to enhance post-operative healing and reduce the risk of complications like fibrosis.
Contact Central Kansas Podiatry Associates About Your Foot and Ankle Pain
With its unique healing properties and synergy with other treatments, Synapep may be a treatment option for your foot and ankle injury. Because all medications have certain side effects, it’s important to talk to Dr. Weaver about your specific symptoms and whether oral medication would be the right treatment for you. Contact our office to set up an appointment to discuss this next-generation treatment for foot and ankle problems.