Procedures
We offer a broad array of procedures in the office and welcome all patient consultations to see if one of our procedures can improve your quality of life, health and well-being!
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a highly effective treatment for a broad range of benign skin problems. Benign skin lesions that are suitable for freezing include actinic keratosis, solar lentigo, seborrheic keratosis, viral wart, molluscum contagiosum, and dermatofibroma. Cryotherapy requires little time and fits easily into the office schedule. Advantages of this treatment include a short preparation time, low risk of infection, and minimal wound care. In addition, cryotherapy requires no expensive supplies or injectable anesthesia, and the patient does not have to return for suture removal. We perform cryotherapy on many lesions in the office.
Cyst Removal
A cyst excision is surgery to remove a cyst from your skin. You may not need an excision unless your cyst is infected, painful, or getting bigger. Your caregiver may remove the cyst to be sure it is not cancer. You may also have the cyst removed if you do not like the way it looks. With dermal cyst excision, your cyst may stop growing and causing pain. Your cyst may be less likely to burst open, get infected, or grow back.
The most common skin cyst is called an epidermal inclusion cyst (epidermoid cyst). An epidermoid cyst used to be called a sebaceous cyst. These cysts are usually found on your chest, back, neck, or abdomen (stomach). An epidermoid cyst forms into a bump that you can feel and is often painless.
Mole Removal
Moles (Nevi) are a common type of skin growth. They often appear as small, dark brown spots and are caused by clusters of pigmented cells. Moles generally appear during childhood and adolescence. Sometime moles change over time. Most moles are harmless, but some moles can become cancerous. Monitoring moles and other pigmented patches is an important step in detecting skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma. Moles may be removed because they are in an area where they are frequently irritated, for cosmetic reasons, or because they are suspicious and need to be sent to a lab to make sure they aren’t a dangerous type of cancer.
We can remove many moles right here in our office in a matter of minutes. If after assessing a mole we find it is concerning for cancer or requires specialty care, we work closely with our local dermatology specialists to provide the best care for our patients.
Skin Tag Removal
Skin tags are simple, benign lesions on the skin that can be bothersome for cosmetic reasons or because they are in an area where they are frequently irritated or rub on clothing. Skin tags are commonly found on the neck, torso, underarms and other areas of the skin. Removal in the office is a relatively quick procedure that can be performed safely in the office with minimal discomfort.
Skin Biopsies
A skin biopsy is a medical procedure that involves removing a small sample of skin cells or tissue from the body for laboratory examination. This procedure is typically used to diagnose skin conditions such as rashes, moles, or other abnormalities. In addition, a doctor may recommend a skin biopsy if they suspect a skin condition that requires further evaluation or if there are signs of abnormal skin growth. During the procedure, a small piece of skin is removed with a surgical instrument; local anesthesia is typically used to minimize discomfort. The sample is then examined under a microscope to aid diagnosis and treatment planning. Skin biopsies are generally safe and can be performed in a doctor’s office or outpatient clinic.
Wart Treatment
The most common treatment for common warts in adults and older children is cryosurgery, which involves freezing warts. This treatment is typically not too painful but may cause dark spots in individuals with darker skin. It’s common to require repeat treatments for the successful removal of warts. Other treatment options include topical medications, laser therapy, and surgical removal, but cryosurgery remains the most frequently used treatment for common warts. It’s essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment of warts
Skin Abscess Incision and Drainage
A skin abscess can be an extremely painful and bothersome problem. A skin abscess consists of a pocket of pus similar to a pimple but is much larger and is trapped deep under the skin. It forms when the body tries to protect itself from an infection by creating a wall around it. The pus contains bacteria, white blood cells, and dead skin. If not treated a skin abscess can cause general illness and much pain and discomfort. Incision and drainage of the abscess is often required to get the pus and infection out so the body can heal.
Joint Injections
Joint pain can impact your ability to do the things you love doing. Certain causes of chronic joint pain can be treated effectively with an injection of a medicine directly into the joint space. This is often preferred because there is a much lower risk of systemic effects of medicine and it works right in the area where you are experiencing pain. We inject many large and small joints right in the office and do everything we can to make the procedure quick and painless.
Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections are an option for treating pain in certain patients. TPI is a procedure used to treat painful areas of muscle that contain trigger points or knots that form when muscles do not relax. Many times, such areas of muscle tension can be felt under the skin. Trigger point knots may irritate the nerves around them and cause referred pain that is felt in another part of the body.
Ingrown Toenail Removal
An ingrown toenail occurs when the corner or side of your toenail grows into the skin next to it. It happens most commonly on your big toe, but can occur on other toes, as well. Ingrown toenails can be very painful and debilitating. Removal is very satisfying for the patient as it allows the tissue to recover and heal. Most of the time just a portion of the nail is removed, but occasionally the whole nail will have to go. If the problem is recurrent, we can remove the toenail and apply a chemical to the nail matrix so the ingrowing section of the nail doesn’t grow back.
Splinting
Splints are orthopedic devices that are used to protect and support fractured or injured bones and joints. They help to immobilize the injured limb to keep it in place until it is healed or until further care can be provided, if necessary.
Suturing & Wound Closure
Lacerations are common urgent medical problems that often require sutures, staples or medical glue to bring the injured skin back together so it can heal properly. We provide suturing for lacerations on all areas of the body.
Foreign Body Removal
Kids (and adults!) occasionally wind up with a small object in a body orifice that it doesn’t belong in. We can generally remove most simple foreign bodies from the ear, nose, skin, eye, and other body areas in the office. Some foreign bodies can be very dangerous or difficult to remove and will require care from a specialist or emergency doctor.
Ear Wax Removal
Ear wax is produced naturally as a way for our body to protect the structures in our ear and keep our ear canal clear. However, there are times when ear wax is either over-produced or the wearing of devices such as, hearing aids, ear plugs, headphones or improper cleaning of the ears with cotton swabs causes ear wax to build up or become impacted. If this occurs, we have special devices to assist with removal improving hearing and resolving associated ear pain.
Nexplanon
NEXPLANON is the birth control implant that goes in the arm. It is just as effective as the pill, but without the daily hassle. This small, thin, and flexible arm implant is placed discreetly under the skin of the inner, upper arm providing you with a convenient method of contraception. Having a consultation in the office to discuss contraceptive options can be helping in deciding whether Nexplanon or another birth control option is right for you.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
IUD Placement / IUD Removal
IUD stands for intra-uterine device and is a contraceptive method providing convenient, lasting birth-control. A device is implanted into the uterus and can remain there for years providing effecting contraception without the trouble of remember to take a pill every day. There are hormone and non-hormone IUDs. Having a consultation in the office to discuss contraceptive options can be helping in deciding whether an IUD or other birth control option is right for you.
Injectable Birth Control
(Depo-Provera)
The depo shot (AKA Depo-Provera) is an injection you get once every 3 months. It’s a safe, convenient, and private birth control method that works really well if you always get it on time. The birth control shot contains the hormone progestin. Progestin stops you from getting pregnant by preventing ovulation. Having a consultation in the office to discuss contraceptive options can be helping in deciding whether injectable birth control or another birth control option is right for you.
Newborn Circumcision
Circumcision in the newborn male refers to the surgical removal of the prepuce (ie, foreskin) of the penis. The procedure is centuries old and continues to be performed for a variety of religious, cultural, and medical reasons. The neonatal circumcision procedure may be performed within the first month of life. After the first month of life, a referral to a urologist will be required for the procedure to be completed.
Testosterone Replacement
In appropriate cases of low testosterone, hormone replacement can help improve function and decreased symptoms of low-T. Options for testosterone replacement include prescriptions you can self-administer at home, injections administered in the clinic or implanted pellets that can be placed in your low back periodically to provide a sustained dose of hormone replacement.
Aesthetics
We are currently in the process of bringing aesthetic services to the clinic. These will include cosmetic injections, dermal fillers and more.
Additional Information
The above list is not comprehensive and there are additional procedures offered in the clinic. We are continually working to add procedures to our repertoire to improve our ability to provide the most comprehensive care possible to you as our valued patient. Check back for updates!
