This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Smith, W. K. Articles by Smith, W. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Smith, W. K. Articles by Smith, W. K., Jr

Resection of a Plantar Calcaneal Spur Using the Holmium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Ho:YAG) Laser

William K. Smith, DPM^*, James A. Noriega, DPM and William K. Smith, Jr, DPM

^* Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Surgery; Residency Director, Hillcrest Health Center, Oklahoma City, OK; private practice, Oklahoma City, OK. Mailing address: 1044 SW 44th, Ste 102, Oklahoma City, OK 73109.
Submitted during second-year residency, Hillcrest Health Center, Oklahoma City, OK.
Submitted during first-year residency, Hillcrest Health Center, Oklahoma City, OK.

Abstract

Many procedures have been described for the resection of plantar calcaneal spurs as treatment of heel spur syndrome and chronic plantar fasciitis. Most of these techniques involve a medial incision of between 2 and 6 cm for adequate exposure of the calcaneal spur. This article describes a new technique for resecting a calcaneal spur with a smaller medial incision using the holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser. This laser permits adequate resection of a plantar calcaneal spur as well as coagulation of the bone and surrounding tissues. This minimally invasive procedure has been used with good results over the past year by the senior author (W.K.S.) for the resection of calcaneal spurs. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 91(3): 142-146, 2001)