Falknor’s Needling
Falknor’s Needling is a procedure for treating verrucae. The treatment intends to break down the verrucae and create a controlled inflammatory response, stimulating the body’s immune system to fight the HPV virus. Falknor’s Needling is one of the several treatments available, and we’d be happy to outline the best option for you.
How does it work?
After the area has been numbed with a local anaesthetic injection, the verrucae are pricked with a sterile needle several times.
The viral particles are directly exposed to the fatty tissue beneath the skin, where the body is rich in immune regulators. Here, the immune system is triggered, and the response, often systemic, can recognise and destroy the virus. Usually, treatment of only one verruca is needed for the response to occur to many.
What can I expect during my appointment?
During your appointment, we will go over what the procedure entails and ask you to sign a treatment consent form. Then your podiatrist will inject the infected foot with a local anaesthetic to numb the verrucae and the surrounding tissue before proceeding with the needling treatment using a hypodermic needle.
The treatment consists of inserting the needle to a depth of 5-7mm repeatedly, around 150-200 times. Doing this implants the virus into the dermal layer of the skin to trigger your body’s natural immune response.
At the end of the treatment, a dry dressing will be applied to cover the affected area. We advise that you don’t drive immediately after the treatment while part of your feet is numb. The effects of the local anaesthetic usually subsides after 60-120min.
If needed, you can take some Paracetamol if you feel pain, but avoid having anything that contains Aspirin.
Dressings and follow-ups?
At the end of your treatment, we will arrange at least two routine follow-up appointments with you. These are usually booked for one week after your treatment, then another four months after the treatment. Dressings will be provided and should be replaced daily for the first 4-7 days or if wet.
Depending on the size and prevalence of the verrucae infection, the treatment can be repeated after four months to tackle any lingering areas. It’s recommended to wait at least four months as that’s how long it takes for the immune system to work through the HPV infection.
Risks and Complications
The treatment is safe; however, on very rare occasions, some complications may develop, which include infection, reoccurrence, delayed healing, developing an adverse reaction to the local anaesthetic, and maintaining scar tissue.
Why choose us?
At Cutting Edge Podiatry, we are committed to providing the highest quality foot care services to our patients. Our team of registered and experienced podiatrists has the knowledge and expertise to diagnose and treat a wide range of foot conditions, including verrucae and wart infections. We use the latest technology and techniques to ensure you receive the best care possible.
If you are suffering from painful, linguering, or unsightly verrucae, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment. We will work with you to alleviate your foot problems and get you back on your feet.
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Servicing feet in Cambridge since 2012
Disclaimer: Our clinic is not easily accessible for those with disabilities as the toilets are located upstairs. However, we do have a treatment room available on the ground level.
If you require a downstairs room, kindly specify this when making your booking either online or with our receptionist. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.