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Treatments >
Electro Surgery
 Long Standing Corns and Verrucae?
Electrosurgery may be the answer for you.
What is Electrosurgery?
Electrosurgery uses
electrical currents to destroy skin lesions.
How is it performed?
Our electrosurgery unit
creates a controllable low power electrical current between an electrode and
a plate held against the skin. This enables us to target and destroy
localised areas of tissue (verruae or corns) at the site
of the operating
electrode.
Does it hurt?
The procedure itself is
performed under local anaesthetic so there is no
pain during the procedure.
The area in question is
numbed using anaesthetic injections similar to that
used at the dentist.
Your podiatrist will choose the best method of
numbing the area in question.
Discuss with the podiatrist
about bringing a friend or family member with
you or even your favourite CD
to play in the surgery…whatever will help
you feel confident and relaxed.
Post-operatively
When the anaesthetic wears
off it is to be expected that there may be
some discomfort initially. This
can be managed with over-the-counter analgesics.
The wound created heals
quickly over a matter of weeks (usually 2-4).
Sensible shoes and as much
rest as possible will help the healing process.
You can normally go back to
work soon after the procedure. Discuss this further with your podiatrist.
A crust will slowly form
over the area during the healing period. We will see
you for regular
dressings and check ups.
How successful is it?
Corns: About 1/3 of corns
completely resolve, with the majority of the remainder being significantly
improved. Repeating the procedure helps to improve any residual lesion
further.
To increase the long-term
success, your podiatrist may also recommend orthoses. These devices are
tailored to each individual patient and help
remove the abnormal pressures
and forces on the foot and skin that lead
to corn formation. (Visit our
Biomechanics and Orthotic Therapy
web page
for more information).
Verrucae
Verrucae are difficult
lesions to treat. Electrosurgery is one of the more destructive methods of
verruca ablation and is therefore an option where
other therapies such as
cryosurgery, caustics or homeopathy have failed.
As with other verruca
treatments we are not able to guarantee the
success of electrosurgery.
Resolutions are more easily achieved by having
two electrosurgery treatments.
Is it suitable for
everyone?
Like all surgical
procedures, the outcomes are linked with your own general health and medical
or surgical history. Your podiatrist will carry out a full assessment prior
to your electrosurgery, to ensure you are a suitable candidate.
BOTH FEET WILL NOT BE
TREATED AT THE SAME TIME.
Contact us
today to book an appointment or to find out
more about the treatments we offer.
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