Cryoablation / Neuroma
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AZ Choice Foot and Ankle
Christopher Suykerbuyk, DPM
Podiatrist & Foot & Ankle Surgeon located in Gilbert, AZ
If you struggle with foot pain, you may finally get the relief you need with an innovative procedure called cryoablation. Christopher Suykerbuyk, DPM, at AZ Choice Foot and Ankle in Gilbert, Arizona, specializes in cryoablation, which uses extreme cold to painlessly and precisely freeze and destroy the tissues causing your pain. This unique procedure can be used to treat neuromas, plantar fasciitis and plantar fibromas! Call the office or book online today to learn if you’re a good candidate for cryoablation.
What is cryoablation?
Cryoablation (also called cryosurgery or cryotherapy) uses very low temperatures to painlessly freeze tissues. Dr. Suykerbuyk uses specialized instruments to precisely apply a freezing substance to the problem area without harming the surrounding tissues.
Dr. Suykerbuyk may treat problems on the skin’s surface or use a specialized device to go deeper and stop the pain of conditions affecting nerves, tendons, and other tissues.
When would I need cryoablation?
Dr. Suykerbuyk may recommend cryoablation to relieve several foot problems, including:
Neuromas
A neuroma develops when nerves grow a noncancerous, painful tumor, usually due to ongoing pressure or irritation. Though neuromas can develop on any nerve, the most common type, Morton’s neuroma, affects a nerve between your third and fourth toes.
Dr. Suykerbuyk uses cryoablation to freeze the neuroma, destroying most of the mass but leaving some of the nerves, allowing it to regenerate and restore normal nerve function.
Painful foot conditions
Cryoablation can ease the pain of many foot conditions by freezing the nerve responsible for carrying pain messages from your foot to your brain. You can only feel pain after your brain receives signals from sensory nerves. Using cryoablation to wound the nerve blocks the signals.
In this role, cryoablation can relieve the pain of conditions such as plantar fasciitis, foot arthritis, heel pain, diabetic neuropathy, and tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Plantar warts
Plantar warts grow in clusters and can get large, causing pain with every step. Cryoablation permanently eliminates these nagging growths.
What happens during cryoablation for my foot?
Dr. Suykerbuyk determines if cryoablation is the best treatment after completing an examination and verifying your foot condition. He begins by applying a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort, whether he’s treating a wart or going below the surface.
When targeting nerves, Dr. Suykerbuyk uses ultrasound imaging to see the structures and guide the cryoablation device. After making a tiny incision, he guides the thin cryoablation device to the nerve and releases the freezing substance.
Dr. Suykerbuyk may recommend that you keep your foot elevated and rest for 24 hours. You may also need to minimize the time spent on your treated foot for a few days. However, your recovery depends on your procedure, so you’ll learn the details before leaving the office.
Don’t wait to get help for foot pain — the underlying problem usually only gets worse without proper care. Call AZ Choice Foot and Ankle or book an appointment online today.