Shoal Creek Foot & Ankle Center, a podiatry clinic in Joplin and Springfield, is pleased to announce they have acquired a new Saorsa Swift microwave therapy machine for the treatment of plantar warts. The podiatrists at this practice are physicians and surgeons who are capable of treating the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. As a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), they have finished years of training and education on foot and ankle treatment, making them uniquely qualified to care for foot and ankle care.
Dr. Shelly Sedberry, the owner of Shoal Creek Foot & Ankle Center, says, “We believe that everyone deserves healthy and fully functional feet free of pain and discomfort. We will always be thorough and honest about treatment options and educate our patients on the ways they can prevent or manage foot and ankle problems. When conservative treatment is not enough to provide relief, we will discuss surgical options for treatment.”
Plantar warts, just like other warts, are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The problem with plantar warts is their location, which is on the sole of the feet where pressure is often exerted on them, causing a lot of pain and discomfort. These warts usually have root-like growths deep in the tissue, which is the reason they are difficult to treat with topical medication.
The Swift therapy machine produces microwaves that can penetrate deep into the tissue. The microwave energy causes rapid vibration of the water molecules so that the friction between molecules increases the temperature of the affected tissue quickly. This very fast increase in temperature stimulates the natural immune response, which is the one that gets rid of the warts.
The Swift protocol only requires three to four treatment sessions that are spaced four weeks away from each other to ensure that the treatment is aligned with the natural immune cycle. Furthermore, each session typically lasts for only five to ten minutes, which makes it convenient for both clinician and patient. There is only minimal pain or discomfort, which only lasts while the microwave energy is on. Most patients have reported that the sensation they felt was something similar to a scratch or an injection.
Patients do not need to worry about the safety of the Swift protocol because the machine has been approved by the FDA. In addition, the microwaves that it generates are of a low dosage. Furthermore, microwaves have already been in use in medicine for more than three decades, with microwaves being used for the treatment of some types of cancer. In addition, the machine has a disposable tip that has to be replaced for each new session. If it is not replaced with a new one, an in-built sensor is able to detect this and will prevent the machine from operating. This is to prevent cross-contamination. It is also essential to note that the Swift microwave treatment protocol will not cause a cut or break on the skin. Thus, bandages and dressings will not be required, and patients can go back to their daily routine immediately after the treatment session.
Shoal Creek Foot & Ankle Center 