Cryosurgery to treat Morton’s Neuroma has been highly effective at Gotham Footcare Gotham Footcare

WHAT DOES CRYOSURGERY DO TO YOUR BODY?

Cryosurgery, is a minimally invasive office-based procedure that requires no stitches and only takes 15 minutes to perform. We typically use this procedure to treat Morton’s Neuroma, a painful growth of nerve tissue in the foot. Cryosurgery cyclically shrinks and freezes the neuroma to degenerate the nerve tissue that carries painful impulses to the brain by reducing the conductivity and excitability of that affected nerve. This prevents future irritation and inflammation of the nerve – it stops the pain of Morton’s neuroma and allows you to return to your preoperative activities free of pain.

ARE THERE ANY HEALTH BENEFITS OF CRYOSURGERY?

There are many benefits to cryosurgery, including:

1. It’s an in-office procedure. Once the cryosurgery is complete, the patient can go home. There is minimal to no downtime from work or activity.
2. It’s a minimally invasive solution. Cryosurgery requires just a tiny incision with no stitches. Other surgeries like Neurectomy require us to open up the foot which increases the length of your recovery. A neurectomy has also a 20% risk that the nerve may grow back and form a Morton’s stump neuroma which can become more painful than the original symptoms.
3. High Procedure success rate. We experience a high success rate, meaning 85% of our patients don’t return with the same foot issues they were experiencing prior to the first round of cryo. Some patients may need a second round to resolve their symptoms 100%.
4. Cryosurgery is cost effective and covered by most insurance companies.

ARE THERE ANY HEALTH RISKS OF CRYOSURGERY?

Health risks are minimal due to the fact that it doesn’t require hardware, stitches or removal of the nerve. Antibiotics are given to reduce chances of infection. Minimal chances of bruising which will resolve within a few days.

WHAT ARE THREE THINGS MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT CRYOSURGERY?

1) It’s NOT Superficial: It’s different from the Cryotherapy most people think about, which involves spraying skin with some cold nitrogen. It’s deeper so I make a small incisions and I go into the opeining with a thin probe and target the nerve directly.

2) It preserves nerve function. I’m not destroying the nerve. You’re not going to have permanent numbness. If anything the goal or objective is to restore it to it’s healthy state. Unlike the neurectomy procedure which is where you have to remove the nerve so you will have sensation again.

3) It’s minimally invasive. It takes about 25 minutes to do. It’s a same day procedure and you don’t need general anesthesia. It’s a local anesthetic. It’s a small incision which doesn’t require any stitches. It doesn’t require any hardware. I’m not removing the nerve so you can do the procedure on a Friday and go back to work on a Friday if you wanted to.

Author

Dr. Miguel Cunha, Board Certified Surgical Podiatrist, founder of Gotham Footcare, and leading podiatrist in Manhattan is a highly trained and skilled foot and ankle surgeon with experience treating a wide array of foot and ankle conditions from minor problems to complex reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. Dr. Cunha takes pride in having a genuine interest in each and every one of his patients while providing them the utmost compassion and exceptional care.