Laser Treatments Specialist
Midwest Foot & Ankle Associates
Biren Shah, DPM
Foot and Ankle Surgeon & Podiatrist located in Rockford, IL
Brand-new laser technology has opened up a whole new set of opportunities in the treatment of foot issues. Biren Shah, DPM, offers advanced laser treatments for foot conditions such as fungus, warts, edema, and issues causing foot pain at Midwest Foot and Ankle Associates in Rockford, Illinois. Call the office or book an appointment online.
Laser Treatments Q & A
What is laser foot treatment?
Laser treatment is a procedure that uses concentrated beams of light to target a specific condition while leaving the surrounding tissues intact. Lasers also offer other benefits such as:
- Increased blood flow
- Reduced inflammation
- Stimulated tissue repair
- Improved nerve function
- Triggered acupuncture and trigger points
- Reduced scarring
Lasers are a safe, effective, and non-invasive way to treat a variety of foot conditions.
Which foot conditions can you treat with lasers?
Lasers can kill germs, improve blood flow, and stimulate the healing process. Dr. Shah uses a dual-function laser to treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Onychomycosis, or foot fungus
- Warts
- Ingrown toenails
- Inflammation
- Pain associated with neuromas, plantar fasciitis, peripheral neuropathy, and other conditions
- Edema
Laser treatments are a great alternative to surgery in many circumstances. The procedure causes less pain, swelling, scarring, and downtime than regular surgery would.
Am I a good candidate for laser treatment?
Laser treatments are safe and effective for the majority of people, but not every patient is a good candidate for the procedure. The treatment may not be effective if your foot condition is very severe.
Laser treatment is also not recommended for those who:
- Have a history of skin cancer
- Suffer from epilepsy
- Have certain blood conditions
- Are pregnant
- Have an active fever or infectious disease
- Are under 18 years old
Dr. Shah takes each person’s situation into consideration on a case-by-case basis. He discusses your options and helps you weigh the advantages and disadvantages of laser treatment to help you make your decision when it comes to treating your foot condition.
What happens during laser foot treatment?
Dr. Shah discusses the preparation instructions, procedure, and side effects with you before performing laser treatments so you’re prepared. He then programs the Aspen Pinnacle laser console for the treatment.
Next, Dr. Shah waves the handheld laser over the treatment area, treating each section in increments. You may feel a tingly sensation when the laser fires.
Foot treatments usually only take a matter of minutes to perform and usually don’t require any downtime or recovery measures. You may need up to three treatments for fungus and 5-10 treatments for therapeutic applications. Most people experience few to no side effects and enjoy fast healing times.
To learn more about the laser treatment options available at Midwest Foot and Ankle Associates, contact Dr. Shah online or over the phone.