what kind of doctors perform the topaz procedure, where are they, and does insurance pay for it?

I would think a podiatrist since it does not involve surgery. Your insurance can tell you whether or not they will pay for it if you just inquire. Of course, that's assuming the doctor feels it is warranted.

Since when is the topaz procedure not surgery? The heel needs to be anesthetized, there is an incision (small) if using an endoscope or larger if not. The plantar fascia needs to be separated from the surrounding tissue so the instrument can be placed over the involved area of fascia and it causes microdamage to the plantar fascia inducing the body to heal it. Any time the skin is cut I consider it surgery. It is highly successful but has limited availability right now and many insurance companies consider it experimental so they aren't paying for it. There are possible complications to the procedure and most reputable doctors that do it still require conservative attempts first. It's great that you promote the procedure and had good luck with it but you have to realize that not everyone can or should have it. I also do cryosurgery and Shock wave for plantar fascitis and it is even less invasive than the Topaz procedure but I still consider it minor surgery.

sorry, I meant bone surgery - like one requiring an orthopaedic surgeon.

I have done everything to get rid of plantar fasciitis. I did shockwave therapy over a year ago to no avail. I am considering surgery but I am nervous of complications down the road. I am a nyc firefighter so I usually go from standing one minute to carrying 100 lbs up 6 flights of stairs the next minute.There is no time to warm up the fascia. I would love to hear more about any other procedure like topaz, cryosurgery, an autologous platelet concentrate. I am sure workers comp will not pay for this I am wondering if GHI my insurance would pay for any of these. I would also like to know how much these would cost and where in nyc could I go. At this stage I would pay to get back on my feet again. Thanks

You know what I would suggest? You haven't said who oyu've seen so far but I would call the Jets, Giants or Nets front office and ask who they use for foot problems. I'm sure whoever it is will be good and could give you some valid alternatives.

Actually if you have a workmans comp files for this they usually will pay for most everything, even things that regular insurance won't cover, ie: shock wave and Topaz. For info about the topaz procedure go to www.topazinfo.com or just do a search on it and you'll get doctors talking about it from a publication called Podiatry Today. Cryosurgery is usually covered as it is billed as ablation of nerve tissue. The insurance company doesn't care if it is done with diluted alcohol or cryosurgery. The instrument used for cryosurgery is called a Cryopac. You may be able to search for that and get info on it. If you can't find info on it let me know and I can elaborate on it. It is not as successful as the topaz but if it works the pain is gone the next day. I think there is one of the original users in new jersey somewhere. Name is Dr Steven Goldstein I believe.

Not many podiatrist are trained for topaz because it is so new. you are going to have to ask around and try the computer. I plugged in topaz foot treatment, and hit chicago. A couple of doctors showed came up, maybe contact the company I think it is topazinfo.com not sure, I dont know if surgery covers it hope that helps

I got the topaz procedure done 3 weeks ago. I am only getting the stitches out tomorrow. My foot is still hurting. They gave me pain killers and crutches and told me not to walk on it. I listened to them for the most part except for a day or two. I hope I did not make it worse or prolong my recovery. He said everything went well I just hope he is right.