SWIFT – Wart therapy

Plantar warts are small growths that appear on the soles of your feet, typically on pressure points like the heels or balls of the feet. They can be very debilitating as they are painful and tend to be on the weight-bearing surface of the foot. Warts are caused by a virus called Human Papillomavirus or HPV, which enters the skin through tiny cuts or abrasions. They are painful because they often grow inward due to pressure from standing or walking. They may have a rough surface and can sometimes have black dots in the center, which are small, clotted blood vessels.

Here are some examples of how plantar warts can present:

The first photo is a more traditional presentation. The second photo is what we call “mosaic” warts where the warts are present in a mosaic fashion.

It is important to properly treat warts as they are contagious, so they can spread through direct contact or by touching surfaces that have the virus on them. While there are numerous treatment modalities available to treat warts, at District Foot & Ankle we have found a high success rate with the utilization of SWIFT.

What is SWIFT?

SWIFT uses microwave energy to target and destroy the tissue of the wart while stimulating the body’s immune response to fight HPV.

How Swift Microwave Treatment Works:

1. Microwave Energy: the treatment device delivers microwave energy directly to the wart tissue. The microwaves heat up the tissue of the wart, causing controlled thermal damage to the cells.
2. Immune Stimulation: the heat from the microwaves doesn’t just damage the wart tissue—it also triggers a localized inflammatory response. This activates the immune system, encouraging it to recognize and attack the virus responsible for the wart.
3. Targeting the Root: the microwave energy penetrates the skin and targets the root of the wart, which helps to treat the wart more effectively than just removing the surface tissue.
4. Minimal Discomfort: the treatment itself is usually well-tolerated, though some patients might feel a slight stinging or warmth in the area being treated. The procedure typically lasts just a few minutes.

Advantages of Swift Microwave Treatment for Warts:

Non-invasive: it doesn’t require cutting or freezing, making it a relatively painless alternative compared to other wart treatments like cryotherapy (freezing) or surgical removal.

Effective for Recurring Warts: the treatment may be especially beneficial for warts that are difficult to treat with other methods or those that have recurred.

Quick Recovery: there is usually no downtime, and most patients can resume their normal activities immediately after treatment.

Success Rate:

SWIFT has shown promising results with many people seeing a reduction or complete removal of their warts after just a few sessions. However, the effectiveness can vary based on factors such as the size and location of the wart and how long the person has had it. SWIFT has been a treatment modality utilized at District Foot & Ankle for several years with high success rates.