PinPointe FootLaser
Family Foot Care is pleased to announce that we are now a proud certified provider of PinPointe, a leader in podiatric light based therapy and creators of the PinPointe FootLaser intended for use for the temporary increase of clear nails in patients with onychomycosis, or nail fungus. PinPointe FootLaser is the first & currently the only laser to receive clearance from the U.S. FDA to treat the symptoms of patients suffering from onychomycosis, and Family Foot Care is the only practice in Whatcom & Skagit Counties to offer this clinically proven treatment.
Fungal infection is estimated to affect more than 10% of the U.S. population, or 35 million Americans. The PinPointe FootLaser is designed specifically to meet the needs of the podiatric community. PinPointe FootLaser typically requires only a 30 minute treatment performed in the comfort & privacy of our office. Nail fungus, Onychomycosis, is an embarrassing chronic condition that impacts a person's quality of life and can lead to other health problems for patients with diabetes, poor ciculation or immune disorders. The treatment of nail infection is difficult because the infection is under & inside of the nail, which makes it hard for other treatments to reach & destroy the fungal organisms. treatments such as medicated liquids/creams or oral medications may be associated with side effects or serious drug interactions. Home remedies such as bleach, vinegar, Vicks Vapor Rub, mouthwash or household cleaners to resolve the problem are often tried but ultimately fail to resolve it. After a single treatment, between 78-88% of patients experienced an increase in clear nails at 6 and 12 months, and 81% of all patients sustained improvements at 12 months. If you would like to more about our exciting new treatment for toenail fungus or would like to make an appointment, please call us at (360) 738-9797.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is used to treat chronic heel pain (plantar fasciitis). "Extracorporeal" means "outside of the body." During this noninvasive procedure, sonic waves are directed at the area of pain using a device similar to that currently used in nonsurgical treatment of kidney stones.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy is prescribed for patients who have experienced plantar fasciitis for an extended period of time -- six months or more -- and have not benefited from other conservative treatments. The brief procedure lasts about 30 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia and/or "twilight" anesthesia. Strong sound waves are directed at and penetrate the heel area to stimulate a healing response by the body. ESWT is performed on an outpatient basis. Although there are no bandages, someone will need to drive the patient home.
People who are not candidates for ESWT include pregnant women and individuals with neurological foot disease, vascular foot disease, pacemakers, or people taking medications that interfere with blood clotting (such as Coumadin).
This therapy is a safe and effective alternative treatment for heel pain and only requires a short recovery time. Clinical studies show a 70 percent success rate for treatment of plantar fasciitis using Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy.