Er:YAG Laser Treatment of Intractable Plantar Keratosis (IPK)

Suzana Koltaj
Pages: 32-35

Intractable Plantar Keratosis (IPK), caused by an accumulation of dead skin cells that harden and thicken over an area of the foot, is a very unpleasant and painful condition normally found on the ball-of-the-foot, the heel, and/or the inside of the big toe. Currently available treatment options for IPK are associated with different limitations and side effects, so there is a great need for novel less invasive therapies. In this current study we wanted to elucidate the efficacy of ablative laser treatment with Er:YAG laser for intractable plantar keratosis. 43 patients with one or more plantar keratosis were treated with 2940 nm Er:YAG laser. All corn seed tissue was precisely removed by laser ablation to prevent recurrences. Follow-ups were made 5, 14, 30 and 90 days and 1 year after the treatment. During the healing time, which lasted approximately 3 weeks, most of the patients didn't report any pain and none took any analgesics. From our study we can concluded that Er:YAG laser therapy is an efficacious and safe method for treatment of IPK. In comparison with other available therapies, laser treatment of IPK is minimally invasive and enables clearing of all callus tissue, preventing recurrences. IPK treatment with Er:YAG laser presents a great solution for patients with quick healing, no post-operative pain and no scars observed.

Key words: Intractable Plantar Keratosis (IPK), Er:YAG laser, ablative laser treatment

Article: J. LA&HA, Vol. 2013, No.1; pp. 32-35.

Er:YAG Laser Treatment of Intractable Plantar Keratosis (IPK)