INTRODUCTION
Cryoanalgesia is a specialized technique for providing long-term pain relief for various podiatric conditions. People have recognized the value of cold for analgesia for thousands of years. Hippocrates left us the first written records of the use of ice for pain relief. Modern Cryoanalgesia as we know it today was developed in the early 1960's. This technique is superior to other methods of peripheral nerve destruction (e.g. alcohol injections, phenol applications, or surgical resection) because it is not followed by neuritis or neuralgia.
There are few options for successful relief from painful foot conditions. Surgical resection of the nerves often leads to recurrent nerve growths called neuromas. These neuromas are often more painful than the original problem. Narcotics do not treat nerve pain but rather only "mask" the pain.
The application of cold to tissues creates a conduction block. This is similar to the effect of local anesthetics, but the effect is long lasting. Long-term pain relief from nerve freezing occurs because the formation of an ice crystal disrupts the sensory component of the nerve structure.
CRYOSTAR TECHNOLOGY
The Cryomed Corporation from England has developed the Cryostar. Over the past three years, its use for podiatric-related conditions has been extensively tested for safe, effective and proven pain relief. The Cryostar was FDA approved for use in podiatric ailments in June 2003. Since bringing this "state of the art technology" to the podiatric arena, only a select group of Cryostar Certified Podiatric Physicians are qualified and demonstrate the necessary expertise to treat these painful foot conditions. Your podiatric physician was chosen to be one of these select few.
THE PROCEDURE
Cryosurgery is performed in the office of Dr. Graziano. This minimally invasive technique takes 15 minutes to perform from start to finish. The painful area is infiltrated with a local anesthetic, so that the cryoprobe can be introduced without discomfort. A tiny puncture is made through the skin. Next, a small blunt instrument called a trocar is placed through the puncture site to create a portal for the Cryoprobe to be introduced. The probe is inserted through the puncture site and the Cryostar is set for a 3 minute freeze cycle, followed by a 30 second defrost, then another 3 minute freeze. The probe is then removed. An antibiotic ointment is placed over the puncture site with a sterile dressing applied. Sutures are not necessary due to the small size of the puncture. The dressing maybe removed within 24 hours and a shower is then permitted. The puncture site is to be covered with a small amount of antibiotic ointment and a band-aid. Postoperative discomfort is minimal. It is suggested that you decrease your normal level of activity over the first 48 hours. Your next scheduled visit will be within 3-7 days.
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