Neuromas


A Laser-Based Surgical and Medical
Practice Specializing in the
Foot and Ankle


IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION!

How do you check out your doctor?

SURGICAL BOARD CERTIFICATION: (ABPS = American Board of Podiatric Surgery) This is the gold standard of the surgical testing boards. For years, we have considered this a basic qualification. But not everyone agrees. Maybe this is because the pass rate for the ABPS exam is only 40%. There are many substitute (read "easier") boards around for physicians to take. So, be specific when you inquire. The ABPS is also split into two parts: 1. Forefoot Surgery, and 2. Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery. We are boarded in both.

Also, check with your local hospitals to see if your surgeon is on staff there. Hospitals have more stringent requirements than required by Virginia for office-only based physicians. You might ask the recommendation from the O.R. or Recovery Room nurses at your local hospital. They see everyone's work!

LASER BOARD CERTIFICATION: (ASLMS = American Board of Laser Medicine and Surgery) This board exam is for physicians and laser researchers. A doctor has to know everything about lasers to take and pass this board. Taking the part which is also given to research scientists also makes it a little tougher. This exam tests a wide scope of laser knowledge. If your doctor uses laser, ask him about this. Few have it. Physicians have to go out of their way to take this.

QUALITY ASSURANCE BOARD CERTIFICATION: (ABQUARP = American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians) Quite a mouthful. A national organization for health professionals involved in Q.A. work. This means that they work to set the "standard of care" in delivering medicine or surgery for other doctors, insurance companies, state regulations, and hospitals.

There are only 3 Podiatrists in the U.S. holding all 3 board certifications.


SURGICAL SECTION - What we Fix.


SURGICAL SECTION - Neuromas

How do we do this with laser?
We ALWAYS do!
Click for the laser section!

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF NEUROMAS

What does a neuroma feel like? You won't want to experience it. A neuroma pain is characteristic. It gives the feeling in the ball of the foot like there is a mass there. There indeed is. Periodically, there are shooting pains into the toes or foot. Frequently the toes exhibit paresthesia, or numbness.

What is a neuroma? Neuromas are nerves which have become hypertrophied or swollen. This usually results from mechanical stress or irritation. Morton's (or Joplin's, Heuter's, etc.) are usually located between the toes, next to the metatarsal heads. However, they can be found in many atypical places.

What about treatment? The first thing is to have the correct diagnosis! As easy as this is to diagnose, you would be suprised at how often we see a new patient coming in having had the wrong procedure done. What we do is determine the etiology, or causative factor of the problem, if it indeed a neuroma at all. Then conservative treatment is always attempted first. Injections serve both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Foot padding is hit and miss. We do not like to miss.

When surgery is done, all the clinical information and diagnostic testing comes together to optimize the procedure for each patient. Of the thousands of neuromas we have removed, no two are alike. They should be treated respectfully. All specimens are reviewed by a Pathologist under a microscope to check for unusual morphology or malignancy.

Since are a laser-based surgical prcactice, this is a laser procedure. Since it is entirely soft tissue throughout, the laser is used throughout. Which laser, CO2, Nd:YAG, Argon? Ask when you get to the office. This is generally considered to minor procedure. We disagree. We believe that no surgery is minor, if it's yours.


Schematic showing the location of a common neuroma.
This is where two foot nerves come together and branch into 4 digital nerves.
The arrows show pressure from the metatarsal heads.


Nd:YAG LASER Neuroma Procedure.
Fast, minimal bleeding and pain.


CO2 LASER Neuroma Procedure.
We have been using lasers for so long, it is hard to imagine it otherwise.

SURGICAL SECTION - What we Fix.

SURGICAL SECTION - Bunionectomy

Go to BUNIONECTOMY

SURGICAL SECTION - Tailor's Bunionectomy

Go to TAILOR'S BUNIONECTOMY

SURGICAL SECTION - Neuromas

Go to NEUROMAS

SURGICAL SECTION - Hammertoes

Go to HAMMERTOES

SURGICAL SECTION - Warts and Plantar Lesions

Go to WARTS

SURGICAL SECTION - Heel Spurs

Go to HEEL SPURS / PLANTAR FASCIITIS

SURGICAL SECTION - Life in the Office!

Go to THE OFFICE - Candid photos !!

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"These are the RESULTS which SELL THEMSELVES"

Ref: See Publications - Laser v. Conventional Surgery.