Laser Facts

Laser Surgery: A New Approach To Improving Foot Care

What is a laser?
A laser is a device which generates an intense, finely focused beam of light, known as the laser beam. This laser beam permits surgery to be performed more safely and conveniently for patients. This laser turns the water in the cells to steam, called vaporization. There is no burning.

Is laser surgery a new technique?
Lasers have been used in surgery for 20 years by eye surgeons and other specialists. Laser surgery to treat foot problems was introduced in Canada by our office in 1983.

What are the foot problems best treated by laser surgery?
The laser beam of light is used in place of the scalpel to remove warts, ingrown nails, fungus infected toenails, and some deep-rooted callouses, among other foot problems.

What are the benefits of laser surgery for foot problems?
Laser surgery takes advantage of the properties of lasers to remove tissue without many of the undesirable side effects that sometimes result from using a scalpel. The laser light vaporizes the affected tissues almost instantaneously and so precisely that normal surrounding tissues are not affected. The unique property of the laser is that as it vaporizes and destroy diseased tissue, it also sterilizes and stops bleeding in the surrounding areas.

Result: much less tissue injury and swelling after surgery, which in turn results in reduced pain and discomfort. There is faster recovery, with better healing for the patient and chances of infection are decreased. There is also a cosmetic advantage because there is usually no scar formation after laser surgery. With the laser, it is frequently possible to complete treatment in one visit, while with other techniques, many visits or even hospitalization may be required.

Where is laser surgery done?
Laser surgery is performed in our office. The patient is first given a local anesthetic and then the laser light is beamed on the affected area. The entire procedure is completed in a very short time and the patient is able to walk out of the office after the procedure. Post-operative discomfort is minimal.

Is the laser like an x-ray?
No! There is no ionizing radiation present in the laser beam, so there is no danger of radiation exposure. In fact, lasers are all around us today, not only in medicine. For example, supermarket checkout counters use lasers (of a different type) to read the universal product code on packages. Lasers are used for many things from more accurate surveying, to welding, to drilling holes in baby bottle nipples.

What is in the future for lasers?
Lasers have an important role to play in the future of medical treatment which is why we are so pleased about having today's most advanced carbon dioxide laser, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson. Because of the many advantages to the patient, lasers are here to stay to assist us in the treatment of many medical disorders.

Dr. Nesbitt is the former president of the Canadian Podiatric Sports Medicine Academy and Ontario Podiatry Association. He is currently in private practice in The Madison Centre, North York.