Demonstration of cryotherapy
Below pictures demonstrate a cryotherapy of Ledderhose. The therapy was
performed by Dr. Steven Goldstein,
Included are also
comment from a second patient, Judy Weigand, who had
cryotherapy on
Prior to therapy
Nodules on both feet. Walking difficult but
otherwise no pain.
Cryotherapy
Start of therapy: the nodule’s size is measured. Injecting lo
Inserting the cryo probe.
Cryo probe with cooling connected.
Post-treatment: steroid injection to increase the effects of the
cryotherapy by further breaking down the nodule´.
Patient’s comment after therapy:
“The surgery took 1.5 hours and consisted of inserting a long needle
like object into my foot.
The object was about five inches long and at least as thick as a basting
thermometer. Due to the extent of my nodules, a lot of freezes took place. I
would guess about 15, but I sort of zoned out
after a while. Only one incision point was needed on each foot. The needle was
long enough to treat a nodule over 3 inches away from the entry point. I
experienced almost no pain during the stuff. The doctor used a lo
even as big as they were. I assume my nerves in that area are not very
sensitive. Both feet
are bandaged up today, with the bandages coming off tomorrow. … I drove myself back
to my hotel. I decided to stay the night in the
“I also have wondered about recurrence with Cryotherapy. The
patient I know of has had no growth for over a year after her surgery. I
heard this from the Dr, not the patient herself … the 2,000 $ I paid for both
feet includes a second round within six months if I
need additional lump reduction.”
2.5 weeks after treatment
Patient’s comments: “The 30% to 50% reduction is based on visual
inspection, feeling and far looser skin. Good news so far. I
2 months after treatment
Patient’s comments: “I am completely recovered from surgery and just did
50 miles of hiking
over two days to see how it helps up. It is good to be pain free in the enduro business again. I would definitely recommend it.
As for me, I am going to try to schedule a follow up treatment soon so I
can further reduce the nodules. This isn't perfect, and isn't cheap - but I
feel it works. I guess we will see how long it holds up in a year or two.”
------------------------------
Another case study
Another patient, Judy Weigand, had cryotherapy
on
March 18 – 28: Very little noticeable difference in size of
lumps. Some numbness in right foot – ball of foot and
big toe especially. I have spent several days being discouraged
that I have seen so little improvement. David and Dr. G told me I need to
be patient.
March 29 – Beginning to feel that there is small improvement in numbness.
The lumps are still large, but noticing some loose skin over one on left
foot. Both feet still fairly sore when I stand for very
long.
March 30 – No noticeable difference today. Trying not
to get too impatient.
March 31 – April 1 - Still the same. My
feet are still very tender and finding shoes that feel good is almost
impossible. It almost seems as if they are more painful than
before. Numbness still present although the affected area is also
starting to hurt more, as when lip stings a bit from wearing off of novacaine. At least that's what I'm hoping.
April 2 – Finally, I am seeing some progress. For first time I can see
that the lumps are somewhat smaller, softer to the touch, and there is more
loose skin around them. Numbness also seems to be a little better.
Also, feet are not as painful.
April 3 – Lumps were hard as rocks when I woke up. After walking on them, they
seem a bit softer. Partial numbness is still very present and my toes burn and
sting a lot. I'm still hoping for more
reduction in size and less pain.
April 4 – Feet seem fairly sore this morning and lumps again hard when I got
up. No more reduction. When I have been on my feet and then sit
down, I sometimes get sharp shooting pains in the area of the surgery.
Still not ready to say this was a good deal!!
April 4 (forum): “Right now the jury is still out on how successful I
feel it was, though I am starting to have some glimmer of hope. …
There have been days I wanted to sit down and cry thinking that I've made
things worse with this procedure. … I also have had some nerve
involvement, especially in the left foot, with the result that the ball of my
foot and most of my toes are now partially numb. The Dr. assures me they
will come out of it and the nerves will regenerate, but it will be a slow
process. So far it certainly is.”
April 5, 6 – The lumps are about the same. No more apparent reduction at this
time. Still somewhat painful. The good
news is that the numbness seems to be lessening a bit. Have
been on my feet quite a bit the last couple of days. They don't
feel very good right now.
April 7 – No change so far. No reduction in size
and feet still painful to walk on.
April 8 – No change again today. It's been three
weeks. I'm getting discouraged.
April 9 -10 – Looked at before pictures. There is definitely a reduction
in size, but it's hard to tell how much. Not enough to get real excited
about at this point. Numbness is slowly improving. Weight bearing
is still painful. Hope that improves.
April 12 – Looked at pictures again today and realize that the lumps really are
quite a bit smaller. They started out so large that even with this much
reduction, they are still somewhat large and I think I just didn't realize the
progress. Feet are still sore, but that may take a while to get
over. Numbness still present, but not as bad.
I imagine that what I see now is probably the best that they will be.
April 14 = Things seem to be in a holding pattern right now. I suspect
that this is as good as it will get, though I hope the numbness will continue
improving. My feet don't feel perfect. They are still healing from
the surgery, but the reduced lumps are not nearly as painful to walk on anymore.
I suspect I will have the second round of this at a later date.
April 18 (forum): “It has been a month today since I had cryosurgery on
both feet for plantar fibromatosis. Dr. Goldstein performed the
procedure. He is the same doctor who did David's. The results have
been somewhat of a mixed bag. There is quite a bit of reduction in both
of my feet, but it's hard to tell how much as there were large lumps on each,
and they still are somewhat large. In addition, the right foot has some
residual numbness in the ball of my foot and my toes. This should go
away, but it may take awhile. In the meantime, there are days when my
feet feel fairly good, and others when they hurt to stand on for any period of
time. I realize that it will likely take even more time for them to heal, but
overall I feel fairly positive about the procedure and will probably have it
done again sometime later. The procedure itself was a bit unnerving for
me as I have a rabid phobia against needles and he put enough in my feet to almost
send me over the edge - the result being that I shook throughout the whole
procedure instead of zoning out as David reported that he did. Once they
were numb, however, there was absolutely no pain.”
April 19 (forum): “At this point I am fairly well pleased with the
surgery, although the partial numbness is a little bothersome. But I feel
it will go away eventually and I do plan to have another round. David
asked how much reduction I have, and it is a little hard to tell exactly, but I
would guess around 40%. My feet mostly feel okay, but I still have to be
careful which shoes I can wear so they don't start hurting.”