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All verrucae patients are initially seen for a 30 minute assessment appointment.

During the consultation we will take your medical history, in addition to the physical assessment. It helps us greatly if you complete a medical history form and bring it with you, copies can be downloaded here. We record details including your: name, address, telephone number, email address, date of birth, GP name and address, past and current medical history, allergies, medication, and any previous Podiatry treatment.

This is known as your minimum data set and recording it is a legal requirement. If you refuse to give us this information we will not be able to offer you treatment at our practice. We keep all the information you give us confidentially, in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, the Health Professions Council, and the Data Protection Act (we are registered data users registered with the Information Commission).

In most cases treatment will not be provided at your first appointment, and you will be invited back at a later date.

NB we normally write to your GP, after your first appointment, to inform them that you are registered with our practice and give brief details of any treatment plan. Please tell us if you do not wish us to communicate any information to your GP.

What are verrucae?

click here to go to our page on verrucae

            

             single verruca                         multiple verrucae                 multiple mosaic verrucae

           

Needling surgery

This relatively simple procedure was first described in 1966 by Gordon Falknor, an American Podiatrist, who in 8 months treated 126 lesions with only 2 recurrences. At present there is no up-to-date research to verify this level of success, however, we are confident that levels of 80% plus are regularly being achieved by Podiatrists in the UK and USA.

Treatment requires use of a local anaesthetic, then a needle is used to cause localised direct physical trauma to the verrucae lesion(s). The purpose is two-fold: 1) to destroy the growth by causing dissolution of the papillae composing the papilloma, and 2) to implant the virus into the dermal layer of the skin so that the bodies immune system can come into contact with the virus thereby stimulating a cell-mediated immune response. Post operatively the lesion has the appearance of a dry blood blister and most patients experience little, if any, discomfort.

There is no evidence to suggest using this technique is more likely to spread the virus than any other surgical or chemotherapeutic measure.

Please book in for assessment with a Podiatrist, who will be able to ascertain whether it is worth considering this procedure or whether other treatment options are more appropriate.

lesion 5 mins post-op             lesion 1 week post-op

administration of local anaesthetic