Cath Lab Digest

Interim study results of patients who applied the gel revealed a 61.5 percent decrease in plantar fibroma size for patients at 90 days (13 fibromas) and 75 percent for patients at 180 days (eight fibromas). At 90 days, 55.7 percent of patients had experienced a pain decrease and at 180 days, 73.2 patients related a pain decrease, according to the study cited by the manufacturer PD Labs.

Robert Schulte, DPM, the study’s principal investigator, has been using Transdermal Verapamil for two years for plantar fibromas.
“It dramatically reduced their pain,” maintains Dr. Schulte, who cannot recall one patient who did not have reduced pain after using the gel.

Dr. Schulte says for most, the pain decreased in three months while the majority of his patients were pain-free in six months. As he notes, there are “no other good options” for plantar fibromas and the fact that Verapamil is topical is advantageous. He notes a potential disadvantage in that patients must apply it twice a day but he says most of his patients are not bothered by this requirement.

Can Electrotherapy Provide Significant Pain Relief?
10. VST Myo Dynamic™ Device (V-Care Health Systems). A four-channel electrotherapy system may be the next advance for relieving various types of pain and increasing circulation.

The VST Myo Dynamic Device is indicated for the management of peripheral neuropathy and plantar fasciitis, according to the manufacturer V-Care Health Systems. The company notes that the product increases circulation, eliminates edema, increases range of motion and provides immediate post-surgical stimulation.

As the company asserts, the VST’s unique wave technology “appears to overcome the natural inhibitory arc imposed by the body during injury or trauma,” which permits the recruitment of deep muscle tissue in the injured area without causing pain. Deep penetration leads to significantly increased blood flow derived from the unlocking of the capillary and lymph systems, says V-Care.

The company adds that the increased circulation causes “tremendous” movement of edema fluid, reducing swelling and pain, but also carries the nutrients that the injured tendon or nerve fiber uses to rebuild itself. The company says the technology provides quicker recovery time for soft tissue injuries.

Raymond Abdo, DPM, has been using the VST device since January. He has primarily been using it to treat diabetic neuropathy as well as post-op pain and edema.

“I have had excellent results clinically with the machine in the office,” points out Dr. Abdo.

For related articles, see “A Guide To Emerging Advances In Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing,” in the August 2007 issue, “What You Should Know About Atopic Dermatitis” in the September 2005 issue and “Emerging Innovations In Treatment” in the August 2006 issue of Podiatry Today.

Also be sure to visit the archives at www.podiatrytoday.com.