Greg Robinson Podiatrist

​I have purchased the EMS-Dolorclast extracorporeal shockwave therapy machine for my practice.

I am incorporating this treatment modality to further grow and diversify my practice as this will offer a solution for the rehabilitation of resistant musculoskeletal conditions.

I think this will be a great tool for inter-referrals between practices to structure a rehabilitation program for our patients.
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Shockwave therapy is a multidisciplinary device. Its main assets are fast pain relief and mobility restoration.
Together with being a non-surgical therapy with no need for painkillers makes it an ideal therapy to speed up recovery and cure various indications causing acute and chronic pain.
Shockwave therapy works by delivering impulses of high-energy percussion's targeted to specific damaged tissues. This increases the blood flow within the affected area, stimulates cell regeneration and healing, and decreases local factors which can cause pain.
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Indications, (listed below as limited to the podiatry scope of practice) include but are not limited to the following:

Click the following link to more info on my website http://www.fixmyfeet.co.za/shockwave-therapy.html

How many treatments will a patient need?
 
The number of treatments varies depending on the indication and tissue response.
Normally three to five treatments are necessary at weekly intervals; there is a small possibility that 2 or more
additional treatments may be necessary if your condition is very chronic. 
The effect of the treatment is cumulative, so patients will typically need more than one treatment.
 
How often will patients need the treatment?
 
Treatments are done 3–10 days apart, depending on the patient’s tolerance and their tissue response.
 
Will patients feel pain after the treatment?
 
Patients may experience some soreness in the treated area. This soreness has been reported as tolerable and not limiting.
 
How quickly will I see results?
 
Many patients experience an improvement in symptoms almost immediately following treatment. This effect is usually (but not always) temporary and is associated with the analgesic effect resulting from hyper-stimulation of the  tissue.

It takes several days for injuries to begin to heal, and many patients see an improvement before the end of the second week. Depending on the diagnosis, the healing process may take several weeks or even months to be completed, but pain relief often precedes complete healing.

Patients will benefit from undertaking the activity recommendations and rehabilitation advice & exercises during and after completion of the course of Shockwave therapy.
 
Are there any side effects from treatment?
 
Possible side effects include: (These side effects generally abate after 5-10 days).
• Swelling, reddening, haematomas
• Petechiae, bruising
• Pain
• Skin lesions (especially after previous cortisone therapy)
These side effects generally abate after 5 to 10 days. Pain can increase temporarily. Bruising and or swelling are also possible.
 
What evidence is there to support the use of shockwave therapy? Click the link to read more.
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As a passionate sportsman and sports fan, I am writing to emphasise the importance of purchasing the correct athletic shoe for your foot type.
Daily, in my podiatry clinic I will see many novice to the more enthusiastic walkers and runners of all fitness levels trying to get healthier and fitter, but presenting with lower limb muscular and tendon strains due to incorrect or worn-out walking or running shoes.

Selecting the correct walking/ running shoe may be an overwhelming task as shoe stores and online sites are saturated with several brands, styles, and models with ever changing marketing terms and innovative technology.

​You may notice shopping for a pair of athletic shoes may come with a lot of confusion. Walking and running shoes are categorised within various ranges, being soft, neutral, mild to strong anti-pronation, to the minimalistic and maximalist trainers. These come with differing arch support, shoe sole stiffness and differing heel/ sole height and thickness.

Never use commercial corn pads or medicines
They often burn and irritate the healthy surrounding skin causing more damage.
Avoid sitting with your knees and legs crossed for long periods of time as this can decrease blood flow and negatively affect nerves
Unless compression stocking have been prescribed by your podiatrist or specialist, wearing tight circular garters, tight socks and elastic banded hoses can reduce circulation.​

Nail fungal disease - persistent and may portray a negative self-image.
Fungal nail disease (onychomycosis), is an infection located in the toenails, caused by a group of fungi are dermatophytes, yeast, and mold that feed on nail keratin, a structural protein within your nails.
Unsightly

• Thickened
• Brittle
• Crumbly
• Ragged
• Distorted shape

Discoloured

• Greeny-yellow colour
• White or yellow patches
• Dull, with no shine
• A dark colour, caused by debris building up under your nail

If left untreated, the infection may eventually destroy the nail and the nail bed, and may become painful. Walking and wearing shoes may become uncomfortable.
Several conditions and factors may predispose your nails and make you more at risk for developing fungal toenails.

• Diabetes and AIDS affect the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight the infection.
• Decreased or poor circulation to the toes can also reduce the ability to fight off infection.
• Aging is a large factor for this condition as the nails become more brittle and take longer to grow. They also become thicker. Diminished circulation is also common in older age.
• Humid or moist environments -feet may become wet and don’t allow to air out and dry.
• If you have other fungal or bacterial infections, such as athlete’s foot.
• Fungal infections are highly contagious, and can spread from toe to toe, as well as from skin to nail (and vice-versa).

This type of infection will not resolve by itself, and an untreated infection will only worsen over time.

Though few people like to discuss the condition, it is very common.
Until recently, the treatment options for this stubborn infection of the toenails have been limited to topical and oral medications.
The rate of success with these treatments varies, and common prescription medications like Lamisil, Sporanox come with potentially risky side effects (oral medications have the potential to elevate liver enzymes and can cause liver damage); and surgery to remove the nail; neither is comfortable for the millions suffering with nail fungus.
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Lasers are revolutionizing the treatment of fungal toenails.
Of course, it takes 6-12 months for the patient to see resolution once the new nail has time to grow.

What are the benefits of laser treatment for fungal nails?
The NeoV Laser treatment is virtually painless, and there are no side effects.
Patients see results because the laser goes through and beneath the toenail, and destroys the fungi where it lives, not only in the nail plate but also in the bed of the nail.
The focused light of the laser disrupts the protein of the microscopic fungi without damaging healthy tissue.
Creams and oral drugs cannot reach the infection at its source, which explains their limited effectiveness.

Even when medications work, it can take months and multiple rounds of risky pills that are linked to potential serious side effects.
Liver and kidney damage and even death have been reported.
All you need to successfully treat this type of fungal infection are three initial treatments in our office.
It’s an easy choice, and one that will have you showing off your toenails.

Is laser treatment safe and effective?
free toenails. term health damage.
Laser treatment is proving to be our best option.

What are the benefits of using laser treatment over drug treatment?
Oral antifungal medications are toxic, and may cause serious medical complications.
As a result, patients that are taking these medications go through routine blood tests to make sure their liver is not damaged during the treatment.

Laser treatment is completely drug free, it does not impose all the health risks associated with the oral antifungal medications.
There are NO adverse reactions, injuries, or known side effects from use of lasers to treat a toenail fungus infection.
Greg Robinson Podiatrist © 2015 All rights reserved