Laser Away Your Toenail Fungus!

Nail fungus is becoming more common in the U.S. According to the Department of Health
and Human Services, more than 35 million people in the United States get nail fungus. The fungus lives underneath the nail because the nail provides a safe, dark, damp place that actually protects the fungus while it grows. Nail fungus is more than a cosmetic problem. It can be painful and interfere with daily activities such as walking or playing sports. There is now a new option for treatment that includes a painless laser procedure to kill the fungus in the toenail with usually one treatment! And is 80-88 effective! Think about it, one 20 minute treatment by a painless laser and 6 to 9 months later, the toenails have grown out normal! Too bad we can’t figure out how to make them grow faster! The laser has given us a much better treatment option for eradicating toenail fungus. Unfortunately most insurance companies deem it cosmetic so they don’t cover it, but if you think about all the hassles, copays and the risk of side effects; the toenail laser looks like the best option for most patients.

How does the laser work?

This laser is designed to shine through your toenail and destroy the specific pathogens embedded in and under your nail causing the infection. The laser operates in the very tight spectrum of near infra red light, safely destroying the fungi, molds and yeasts that often cause onychomycosis.

Is this laser painful?

The gentle laser light beam has no effect on healthy tissue. There is no discomfort associated
with the treatment during or after. This treatment does not harm or affect your activity in any way. Is this treatment safe? There are no age or health restrictions or limitations. In clinical studies there have been no adverse reactions, injuries, disabilities or known side effects .As you may know, the use of the medication available today for treatment of fungus toenails, carries with it possible systemic involvement (commonly the liver and kidney). This laser does
not! The laser is safe for nursing mothers and patients on blood thinners.

Does my insurance pay for this?

Because this treatment is considered aesthetic (cosmetic), health insurance plans do
not cover this treatment. We accept major credit cards and bank checks. We also offer an
interest free 3 month payment plan.

How Much Does It Cost?

The laser treatment is applied to all of the toenails on both feet, even the ones that appear uninfected. This reduces the chance of reinfection and takes about 20minutes. The treatment fee is $400. If the infection is resistant or has not responded with normal nail growth, the nails may need another laser treatment. This often occurs when all ten nails are severely infected. An additional treatment within the first six months is free.



What Should I Expect at My Laser Treatment?

The consultation is usually just a short visit with the doctor to diagnoses whether or not you actually have toenail fungus and to discuss treatment options.
If you decide that laser therapy is for you, the procedure can often be performed that day. In order for this to be available for you, you must remove your toenail polish at least 24 hours in advance and wash your feet thoroughly prior to coming for your consultation. (Toenail polish remover is flammable and can cause sparking from the laser which can harm your toes!)You can resume normal activity right after the therapy. Toenail polish can be applied immediately, but it is recommended to take a two week polish holiday if you can.

And After My Laser Treatment?

You can also choose to have a KeryFlex application after the laser treatment FREE of charge ($125 value). KeryFlex is a nail reconstruction system that uses polymer resins and special activators to create a durable, yet flexible artificial nail when exposed to a certain frequency of ultraviolet light. KeryFlex is available only through a properly trained podiatrist, who can complete the application of the product. This is a medical grade product and NOT available in nail salons. The new toenail looks very natural and it’s hard to tell the new nail apart from the other nails.


1. If you get regular pedicures, bring your own instruments or go to a spa that sterilizes their
instruments in an autoclave.

2. Clean your toenail clippers with alcohol before you use them if you do your own toenails.

3. We also recommend you regularly clean your shoes with an antifungal like Mycosis
(we carry this product in our office) at least once a week and dry them with a hairdryer.

4. Changing socks regularly (even a few times a day if you have sweaty feet) and keeping your feet clean and dry is also helpful.

5. Keep your athletic shoes dry and also change them regularly. If you exercise regularly, buy your athletic shoes a half size larger than your street shoes so you won’t bash your toenails as your feet swell with exercise.

6. Don’t let your nail fungus go untreated, educate yourself on your options and consult with
your doctor.

Making Your Heel Pain 0bsolete

http://footnj.com/podiatrist-new-jersey-about-us/23/237-heel-pain
The most common cause for heel pain is plantar fasciitis. This condition is classically known for causing pain in the heel at the first step in the morning. The pain can be so severe that many will limp, or grab onto a wall in order to make their way to the bathroom. After thirty minutes or so, the pain tends to work itself out. Although this is the classic description of plantar fasciitis, it is not the only presentation of this condition. Some individuals will only experience pain in their heel when they run, walk or hike. Others will only experience pain in the arch after long periods of standing. Many people will complain only of pain in their heels at the end of a long workday. Classic descriptive terms for plantar fasciitis include stone bruise, sharp dagger, deep throbbing and dull ache. These all represent plantar fasciitis type pain. Another name for this condition is “heelspur syndrome.”

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the tearing and inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is along ligament type structure on the bottom of the foot. This is a result of small microtears in the fascia, usually due to overuse. A spur can develop as a result the traction force from the fascia, but the heel spur is rarely the cause of pain.

Why does plantar fasciitis happen?

Most people have abnormal motion in their feet, usually pronation. When the feet turn in and collapse, excess stress is placed on the plantar fascia. It only takes a small change in activity or change in shoes to cause microscopic tears in the plantar fascia. A change in activity could be running more on hills or starting the soccer season. But, it commonly occurs when walking in a pair of poor quality shoes, such as flimsy sandals or an old pair of gardening shoes. Even working at a new job on your feet or on a new type of surface in a new type of shoe can easily contributes to the development of microscopic tearing in the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis is not a condition that develops after working on your feet for years. In fact, someone working at a desk job for 25 years, who switches to a job on their feet, is much more likely to develop the problem. Once the fascia is weakened, it tears more and then it becomes more inflamed, and then tears more. The constant weight of the body on the feet puts a tremendous force load through the feet. Think of how many steps you take throughout the day on your feet. Think of how many steps you take on your feet in the morning before you leave for work. Each step is on an injured foot. When the foot is injured, the injury becomes worse with each step. A vicious cycle develops. This makes the condition very difficult to treat.

What You Can Do For Plantar Fasciitis?

The treatments for plantar fasciitis are usually conservative. The following are the most important treatments you can do:


1) Decrease your activity.

Stop running, jogging or walking for exercise. Try biking or swimming. Avoid hills and minimize walking up and down stairs. Try not to carry any heavy items.

2) Ice massage your arch and heel.

Fill a sports water bottle with water and when frozen, place on the floor and roll your foot over it for 15 minutes at least twice a day. This will ice massage the arch, decreasing inflammation along the plantar fascia. Another option is to ice directly on the heel with an icepack for 15 minutes, two to three times a day. The more icing the better. Icing 10+ times a day in the initial stages of plantar fasciitis will accelerate healing.

3) Stretch! Stretch! Stretch!

This is one of the most important treatments. Try to stretch your calf and bottom of your foot multiple times throughout the day.

4) Try heel lifts or heel cups.

In combination with the above therapies mentioned, heel cups and heel lifts can be beneficial.
Heel lifts take pressure off of the achilles tendon and calf muscle, which will decrease the stress through the arch and on the plantar fascia. Try at least a ¼ inch heel lift. Any type will work, but foam seems to be the most comfortable, but felt doesn’t compress as easily. A wedged heel or small high heel shoe will also accomplish the same thing. For individuals with very sore heels, for those who complain of their heel feeling like a “stonebruise”, heel cups can provide relief. Heel cups generally work best in the early phases of plantarfasciitis when the heel is very inflamed and very tender. After this period, heel cups are generally not beneficial.

5 ) Place orthotics in your shoes.

Orthotics are not insoles. Insoles are generally soft and cushy supports which slip into the shoe and add comfort and cushion.

For more information please visit my website at http://www.footnj.com/