127 FCM COVER - Fox Cities Magazine

Rays of Hope
The HOYA ConBio MedLite C6 Medical
Laser System at Fox Valley Plastic Surgery &
Renaissance Center in Oshkosh is now making
patients with tattoo remorse a little more
hopeful.
“Tattoo removal lasers have been used for a
while, but up until recently we’ve only been
able to remove darker inks like black and
blue,” says Cindy Augsburger, registered nurse
and clinical supervisor at Fox Valley Plastic
Surgery & Renaissance Center. “With this new
technology we are able to remove more ink
colors like greens, violets and reds.”
Lasers of
the past
were only
effective
on dark
inks
because
they more readily absorbed the laser’s energy.
The MedLite C6 Medical Laser has multiple
wave lengths that allow physicians to treat
multicolored tattoos, as different wavelengths
are used on each color ink. The laser’s highpowered
pulses vibrate and shatter the tattoo
ink which the body’s natural filters absorb and
eventually eliminate from the body.
Depending on the size and location of the
tattoo, anywhere from three to 12 treatments
may be required. The new laser also results in
less potential scarring, but many patients most
appreciate the convenience.
“It’s noninvasive and simple,” Augsburger says.
“After the treatment, you can continue with
normal a day at work.”
pain relief based on what activities are being performed throughout the day.
Diane Vanderlin, neurosurgical nurse practitioner at Neuroscience
Group, has seen great strides in the stimulator technology since it was
originally developed in the 1960’s.
“Technology advances have made the implant much smaller as well
as more comfortable and user-friendly for patients,” she says. “Older
technology permitted only two electrodes, but now it allows for 16
electrodes to cover a greater area of pain.”
Spinal cord stimulators offer patients a variety of
benefits. Unlike many treatment options, electrodes
may be temporarily placed to allow patients the
chance to test drive the treatment. Many people have
found they end up reducing or eliminating pain
medications, in turn limiting their adverse side effects.
Most importantly, a neurostimulator can greatly
improve a patient’s quality of life, sleep patterns and
exercise tolerance.
“This technology has seen unbelievable progress,” Vanderlin
says. “It allows the patient to be more independent and in control.”
laparoscopic surgery (SILS). This
approach, which has been offered at
Aurora BayCare in Green Bay for the
past year, requires only one inch-long
incision at the patient’s navel.
Hysterectomies and many other
gynecological procedures are being
performed this way and offer advantages
such as minimal scarring, less pain and
blood loss as well as faster recovery.
“There’s work being done to adopt
SILS to robotic surgery. Developing the
advanced instrumentation that works
through a single robotic port is the next
frontier,” says Dr. Johnson, who has
performed more than 800 roboticassisted
procedures. “This would make
the likelihood of one incision with even
less pain and discomfort a reality.”
OUTSMART PAIN
Chronic pain no longer needs to be
suffered in silence. When conservative
treatments, such as medication and
therapy, have failed, physicians at the
Neuroscience Group in Neenah may
recommend a neurostimulator system to
treat limb and back pain.
The system includes an implantable
device, about the size of a pager, that
delivers mild electrical pulses to the
spinal cord inhibiting pain signals from
reaching the brain. These signals are
replaced with a mild tingling sensation
that covers the area where pain would
have been felt.
The device’s battery is surgically
placed under the skin, usually in the
upper buttocks, and the paddle with
electrodes is placed close to the nerves
in the upper back. Patients are then able
to control the strength and location of
stimulation with a handheld
programmer. This allows for customized
FOX CITIES Magazine
27
Fall Prevention Helps
Maintain Independence
Statistics show 3 out of 10 adults over the
age of 69 fall each year, making falls a
leading cause of loss of independence
among the senior population. Educating
yourself about prevention is one of the
most important things you can do for
yourself or a loved one.
Common treatable health problems and
hazards that increase a persons risk of
falling include:
• Difficulty walking or moving around
• Medications
• Foot problems or unsafe footwear
• Vision problems
• Hazards such as throw rugs and excessive
clutter in the home
If you are having balance issues related to
pain and stiffness, or are not able to be as
active as you once were, seeing a physical
therapist who specializes in balance
problems can help you safely regain your
independence. The therapists at Peabody
Manor use the Biodex Balance System, a
piece of equipment that identifies
individual deficits in weight shifting and
balance reactions. Therapists can then
design a program to meet your specific
needs in order to reduce your risk.
Assessing risk factors and an exercise plan
that strengthens balance has been shown
to be the most effective way of helping
adults avoid falls.
Peabody Manor offers state-of-the-art
short-term rehabilitation in their new
3,000-square-foot therapy gym. In addition
to short-term rehabilitation, Peabody Manor
offers long-term skilled nursing.
2600 S. Heritage Woods Dr., Appleton
920-738-3000
www.heritagepeabody.org