If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a way to heal a stubborn foot or ankle injury without going under the knife, you’re not alone, and you’re asking exactly the right question. Dr. Bob Baravarian recently sat down with Jennifer Spector, DPM, on the Podiatry Today podcast, produced by HMP Global, for a deep dive into one of the most exciting frontiers in foot and ankle medicine: biologics.
You can listen to the full episode on the HMP Global Learning Network.
What are biologics, exactly?
“Biologics” sounds like a lab term, but the concept is remarkably intuitive: instead of masking pain or mechanically repairing damaged tissue, biologic treatments harness substances your own body already makes — or substances derived from human tissue — to stimulate real, lasting healing from the inside out.
The most common biologics used in foot and ankle care include platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), and amniotic membrane allografts. PRP is made by spinning down a small sample of your own blood to concentrate the growth factors naturally found in your platelets. BMAC goes a step further, drawing stem cell-rich material from bone marrow to accelerate the repair of more complex injuries. Amniotic tissue, sourced from donated placental membranes, acts as a scaffold and anti-inflammatory agent for wounds and soft tissue damage.
Why foot and ankle specialists are uniquely positioned to use these treatments
The foot and ankle are among the most mechanically stressed areas of the body. Tendons like the Achilles and plantar fascia endure enormous loads with every step, and because they have relatively limited blood supply compared to muscle, they can be notoriously slow to heal on their own.
That’s where biologics change the equation. By delivering concentrated healing agents directly to the site of injury, doctors can essentially give the body a jump-start it wouldn’t get otherwise. Dr. Baravarian has been at the forefront of incorporating these therapies into a comprehensive treatment approach — one that combines biologic injections with laser therapy, offloading, and targeted stretching to maximize outcomes for patients who’ve struggled to get better through conventional means.
Conditions that may benefit from biologic treatment
During the podcast, Dr. Baravarian walked through the range of conditions for which biologics have shown meaningful benefit. These include:
- Chronic Achilles tendinosis (tendon degeneration that hasn’t responded to physical therapy or rest)
- Plantar fasciitis and plantar fascial tears, especially recalcitrant cases
- Chronic ankle instability
- Early-stage arthritis of the foot and ankle joints
- Plantar plate injuries
The common thread: these are all injuries where the normal healing process has stalled, and the tissue needs biological reinforcement rather than surgery to get back on track.
Not a one-size-fits-all solution
One of the most important points Dr. Baravarian raised is that biologics work best as part of a coordinated treatment plan, not as a standalone fix. The type of biologic used, the delivery method, and the aftercare protocol all need to be tailored to the specific injury and the individual patient.
For example, a patient with an interstitial plantar fascial tear needs to be properly offloaded in a walking boot before any biologic injection is introduced; otherwise, the risk of full rupture remains dangerously high. Similarly, post-injection laser therapy and structured physical therapy play important roles in getting the most out of the treatment. Understanding these nuances is what separates centers with real expertise in regenerative medicine from those simply offering injections as an add-on service.
A rapidly growing field with strong science behind it
Biologic treatments for orthopedic conditions have grown dramatically over the past decade, and the evidence base is catching up with the clinical enthusiasm. PRP utilization alone has more than quadrupled in recent years and is projected to keep rising. Meanwhile, researchers continue to refine protocols around concentration ratios, injection timing, and adjunctive care to sharpen outcomes.
Dr. Baravarian has long been among the practitioners pushing this conversation forward, publishing in Podiatry Today, presenting at national conferences, and treating a high volume of complex cases at University Foot and Ankle Institute in Los Angeles.
Hear it directly from Dr. Baravarian
Whether you’re dealing with heel pain that won’t quit, a tendon injury that’s kept you off your feet for months, or you’re simply curious about what’s new in non-surgical foot care, this episode is worth your time.
Podiatry Today is an award-winning publication produced by HMP Global, one of the leading medical education platforms in the country, and their podcast brings the same clinical rigor to audio that their journal brings to print.
Listen to Dr. Baravarian’s full conversation on biologics in foot and ankle pathology here.
Ready to explore your foot and ankle treatment options?
If you’ve been living with chronic foot or ankle pain and want to know whether a biologic approach might be right for you, the team at Docs Foot and Ankle is here to help. Dr. Baravarian and his team are here to offer comprehensive evaluations and the full range of regenerative medicine options, so you can make a fully informed decision about your care.
Request an appointment today and take the first step toward lasting relief.
