Plantar warts: a common and stubborn viral infection

“Plantar” means “Of the sole” in Latin. Unlike other types of warts, plantar warts, also known as verrucas, are typically quite painful as the pressure from walking and standing forces them to grow into your skin. Like all warts, Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) virus, specifically types 1, 2, 4, 60, and 63. Underneath the skin, the wart can have finger-like roots that reach down and grow, making them very difficult to treat effectively from the surface.

Dr. Conenello knows how warts can be painful, and not to mention, an embarrassing condition that people usually take pains to hide. That’s why he recommends SWIFT microwave therapy, a pioneering medical treatment that is scientifically proven to remove plantar warts in a fast, safe, and effective way.

What is SWIFT?

SWIFT is a cutting-edge, FDA cleared technology that has proven to be highly effective in the removal of plantar warts. It delivers low dose microwave energy through a specialized probe that targets and treats the underlying HPV virus by stimulating a natural immune response in the body. With Dr. Conenello’s expertise in regenerative medicine, he has observed that this treatment works on unmasking the virus, allowing the body to trigger a natural immune response; eliminating the need for acid or freezing based procedures. SWIFT technology addresses the root cause and not the symptoms of plantar warts, thus preventing its recurrence.

What makes the SWIFT Treatment different?

• Faster

  SWIFT delivers a precise, highly controlled dose of microwave energy to a pre-determined depth into the skin. Each treatment lasts only 5-10 minutes, consisting of 3-5 very short application of the SWIFT device (usually 2 seconds in duration).

• Cleaner

  Microwave therapy does not produce smoke, plume, or smell that laser or electrocautery devices produce.

  The SWIFT device has been designed to ensure microwaves travel in straight lines with no lateral spread, commonly seen in Cryotherapy. This results in a treatment that can be used to accurately target tissue and leave healthy tissue undamaged.

  The SWIFT device also features a disposable tip – which removes the need for sterilization between patients and eliminates the risk of cross-contamination.

  The precision treatment of SWIFT does not break the skin – meaning no blisters, no padding, no scarring – overall resulting to a cleaner, safer alternative.

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How effective is SWIFT?

A 2017 clinical study conducted by Dr. Ivan Bristow in the UK observed a clearance rate of 75.9% of treatment-refractory plantar warts. This data compared favorably with previous studies showing a clearance rate of 23-33% for Cryotherapy or salicylic acid (2 primary treatment methods) in comparable studies.

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Does it hurt?

The SWIFT technology treatment feels similar to the pain of a small scratch or injection, lasting only a few seconds before immediately subsiding. A few patients experienced some soreness after the treatment, but the pain levels were not so egregious to impair their normal day-to-day activities.

While pain is variable and patient/lesion specific, most patients typically feel some level of discomfort as infected tissue temperatures are rapidly elevated over a 2 second dose of energy. The pain immediately subsides following cessation of energy delivery and there is very limited post procedural pain. In fact, some report an immediate reduction in pain levels. All patients can continue on with day-to-day activities immediately following treatment.

At Orangetown Podiatry, Dr. Conenello carefully reviews each patient’s medical history and understands their respective pain thresholds prior to administering the SWIFT treatment, .

What to Expect?

SWIFT protocol involves between 3 and 4 treatments, spaced 4 weeks apart; aligning with the body’s natural immune cycle. Each treatment lasts only 5-10 minutes and is what we call a “sock off – sock on” treatment: limited debridement, no breaking of the skin, no bandages. No home treatment is required between treatments and patients are able to resume daily activities immediately post treatment.

When you should come to see us?

It’s important to visit Orangetown Podiatry if you suspect or feel that you have a plantar wart and are seeking removal. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the more likely the wart is to persist. Here are some common symptoms to look out for:

• You may get the feeling of “painful pebbles” in your shoes.

• You may experience pain when you compress the sides of the wart.

• You may see a circular flat spot on the skin with a depressed area in the middle.

• They may appear “yellowed” with a crust; small black dots can be an easy giveaway.

• The lesion on your foot is painful, bleeding, or has changed color.

• Treatments you have tried do not work, and the wart reoccurs or multiplies.

• Discomfort that prevents you from doing regular activities.

• Poor sensation in your feet.

• You are unsure if the lesion is a wart.

Let’s get rid of those pesky warts. Schedule an appointment by clicking the button below.