CRYOSURGERY

A New Treatment Option for Painful Neuromas

Cryosurgery, also known as Cryotherapy or Neuroablation, is a minimally invasive FDA approved procedure done by Dr. Gregory Teles in the office for pain relief.  Finally get relief from Morton’s neuroma and other painful foot conditions using advanced Cryosurgery.

THE PROCEDURE

The procedure is minimally invasive and takes approximately 15 minutes to perform.  Effective treatments are available for Morton’s neuroma and many other painful foot conditions.

In a typical in-office procedure, the painful area is infiltrated with a local anesthetic so that the cryoprobe can be introduced without discomfort.  A puncture just large enough for the probe to easily pass through is made through the skin.  Next, the probe is inserted through the puncture site to the area of the neuroma.  The freeze cycles are then initiated.  Upon completion of the freeze cycles, the probe is removed and an antibiotic ointment placed over the puncture site with a sterile dressing applied.

Sutures are not necessary due to the small size of the puncture.  The dressing may be removed in three days.  Post-operative discomfort is minimal.  It is suggested that you decrease your normal level of activity over the first three days.

HOW IT WORKS

The simplest way to describe what happens is to use the analogy of applying ice to an injury. One of the oldest treatments known to man is the application of ice to painful areas. This dates back to the time of Hippocrates who among his many accomplishments also wrote the first record detailing “ice therapy”.

The application of ice serves two purposes. First, it reduces swelling and inflammation to the site which it is applied and, secondly, it causes a mild “numbing” effect for as long as it is applied. In fact, applying ice is often still the first line of treatment for minor injuries. Athletes will often soak their elbows in ice baths or wrap their knees and shoulders in ice after games to help reduce swelling and muscle soreness afterwards.

Now think of how effective the “ice therapy” could be if the ice could be applied directly to the area of most pain (under the skin where the damaged tissue and inflammation exist) instead of just on the surface of the skin. In essence, applying a concentrated ice pack directly to the damaged and inflamed tissues involved. Better yet, how about applying this ice pack directly on the nerve sensation of pain? The nerve degenerates inside the nerve covering and over the next twelve weeks, a new nerve regenerates. This is how cryosurgery helps relieve pain. Custom made orthotics may be suggested post-operatively to keep the biomechanical forces that caused the irritated nerves from recurring and giving you long lasting results.