Lasers have captivated the imaginations of movie-goers for years, making ominous appearances as doomsday devices, or as future personal combat weapons. While special effect explosions are impressive, they pale in comparison to the real-life benefits this technology now offers to patients. Podiatry laser surgery has proven effective in treating several types of foot problems, from injuries to chronic infections.
Unlike the wide spectrum of typical sunlight humans can see, laser beams are monochromatic and focused. The photons do not diffuse over distance, and are being used in a variety of applications. Industrial production lines use light to cut out parts, communications companies transmit digital information over fiber optics lines, and people use them when playing DVDs, or to entertain cats. They are also being incorporated into many kinds of surgeries.
When integrated into traditional surgical foot procedures, they are helping make many operations both faster and safer. Some patients experience less post-operative swelling and a shorter recovery time when compared to invasive scalpel work. Doctors who specialize in sports medicine or who often repair broken bones in the feet find that lasers are ideal both for repairing and cleaning areas of easily-damaged soft tissue.
A focused beam of light is unerringly accurate, and can precision-disintegrate small areas without causing any collateral damage. Some of the most commonly treated foot problems include the growth of painful warts on the sole, ingrown large toenails which become infected, and various kinds of painful callouses caused by inappropriate footwear. Light scalpels work so precisely that any trauma is greatly reduced.
Bleeding during surgery is greatly reduced because a laser simultaneously cuts and cauterizes. Many common procedures can now be completed on an out-patient basis using only local anesthesia, and requiring less follow-up. While it is true that any invasive operation has the potential to become infected or develop other complications, using this type of surgical tool greatly reduces the chances.
Fungal infections of the toenails have become common, and cause social distress as well as unpleasant symptoms. Older treatments required removal and abrasion of the toenail bed, and even then the fungi usually returned. Internal drugs today can be effective, but may cause liver issues in some patients. For those who chronically deal with this ugly infection, laser treatment offers superior results without complications.
The light not only kills the fungi, but also sterilizes the infected area. Individual treatments are painless, and the most commonly reported sensation is a slight warmth, with no local anesthesia required. In most cases, the total procedure lasts less than an hour. While no treatment can accurately claim 100% success, most of these infections begin to improve after only one session, compared to many weeks using internal medications.
Although surgery and treatment involving this technology works best for minimally-invasive work, it can also be useful in treating more serious conditions like hammertoes, or when repairing activity-related problems such as torn ligaments or tendons. Certain types of neuropathy and arthritis can also benefit, leaving patients with greater mobility, and almost no scarring. Faster healing rates helps reduce recovery length and discomfort.
Unlike the wide spectrum of typical sunlight humans can see, laser beams are monochromatic and focused. The photons do not diffuse over distance, and are being used in a variety of applications. Industrial production lines use light to cut out parts, communications companies transmit digital information over fiber optics lines, and people use them when playing DVDs, or to entertain cats. They are also being incorporated into many kinds of surgeries.
When integrated into traditional surgical foot procedures, they are helping make many operations both faster and safer. Some patients experience less post-operative swelling and a shorter recovery time when compared to invasive scalpel work. Doctors who specialize in sports medicine or who often repair broken bones in the feet find that lasers are ideal both for repairing and cleaning areas of easily-damaged soft tissue.
A focused beam of light is unerringly accurate, and can precision-disintegrate small areas without causing any collateral damage. Some of the most commonly treated foot problems include the growth of painful warts on the sole, ingrown large toenails which become infected, and various kinds of painful callouses caused by inappropriate footwear. Light scalpels work so precisely that any trauma is greatly reduced.
Bleeding during surgery is greatly reduced because a laser simultaneously cuts and cauterizes. Many common procedures can now be completed on an out-patient basis using only local anesthesia, and requiring less follow-up. While it is true that any invasive operation has the potential to become infected or develop other complications, using this type of surgical tool greatly reduces the chances.
Fungal infections of the toenails have become common, and cause social distress as well as unpleasant symptoms. Older treatments required removal and abrasion of the toenail bed, and even then the fungi usually returned. Internal drugs today can be effective, but may cause liver issues in some patients. For those who chronically deal with this ugly infection, laser treatment offers superior results without complications.
The light not only kills the fungi, but also sterilizes the infected area. Individual treatments are painless, and the most commonly reported sensation is a slight warmth, with no local anesthesia required. In most cases, the total procedure lasts less than an hour. While no treatment can accurately claim 100% success, most of these infections begin to improve after only one session, compared to many weeks using internal medications.
Although surgery and treatment involving this technology works best for minimally-invasive work, it can also be useful in treating more serious conditions like hammertoes, or when repairing activity-related problems such as torn ligaments or tendons. Certain types of neuropathy and arthritis can also benefit, leaving patients with greater mobility, and almost no scarring. Faster healing rates helps reduce recovery length and discomfort.
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