DPM Blogs

Does Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Really Have A Stocking Distribution?

Stephen Barrett DPM FACFAS

3/14/13 | 1655 reads | 1 comments

Tossing and turning, trying to decide if I was dreaming or truly awake in a seemingly restless, endless fog, I knew, or at least I thought, that I was watching a trial of some sort on the TV. It was not ESPN, but DSPN, the new network that had just hit the airwaves. Read More.

Should Patients With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Do Weightbearing Exercise?

David G. Armstrong DPM PhD MD

3/13/13 | 1531 reads | 0 comments

Podiatric physicians can face a dilemma of whether patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy can exercise due to insensitive feet. A recent study in The Foot says neuropathic patients can participate in some monitored exercise.1 Read More.

Could Some Of Your Office Staff Work From Home?

Lynn Homisak PRT

3/12/13 | 1205 reads | 0 comments

Dr. Donna’s billing person, Marilyn, has been with the practice for about eight years. Marilyn is a hard worker and has never given the doctor any reason to think she slouches on the job. Her job description is limited to billing and she does her work efficiently, in a timely manner and without complaints. Read More.

How Patients Can Get An Aerobic Workout While Staying Off Their Feet

Jenny L Sanders DPM

3/7/13 | 1701 reads | 0 comments

Not being able to exercise due to foot injury, surgery or lower extremity immobilization can be a frustrating problem for patient and physician alike. We want our patients to be adherent to our immobilization instructions and patients want to continue their cardio fitness workouts in spite of immobilization. For the past two years, my office has been recommending the following YouTube video by Laurel House: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=LtrciwU4Fbo . Read More.

Do Podiatrists Use First Ray Cutouts Too Much?

Larry Huppin DPM

3/6/13 | 1390 reads | 0 comments

The first metatarsal cutout or first ray cutout is a common orthotic modification clinicians use to allow the first ray to plantarflex in order to treat functional hallux limitus. I think it should be noted, however, that if a practitioner takes extremely good negative cast, writes an appropriate prescription, uses an orthotic lab and does not overfill the medial arch, the first ray cutout should rarely be necessary. Read More.

How To Assess And Treat The Cavus Foot

William Fishco DPM FACFAS

3/4/13 | 1988 reads | 0 comments

Is Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate The Newest Game Changer In Podiatric Surgery?

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS

2/28/13 | 1652 reads | 2 comments

What do AO technique, external fixation and locking plate technology have in common? They are all game changers for foot and ankle surgeons. They have become gold standards. Game changers do not come along often. However, when they do, both surgeons and patients benefit. Surgeons benefit from simplification of surgical techniques and patients benefit from better outcomes. Another game changer is bone marrow aspirate concentrate. When will this become as commonplace as American orthopedic technique, external fixation or locking plate technology? Read More.

Federal Budget Sequestration And Healthcare: A Physical Examination Of The Side Effects

Lee C. Rogers DPM

2/27/13 | 1714 reads | 2 comments

“Sequestration” is the government jargon for the across-the-board federal budget cuts to begin on Friday, March 1. If you remember, in 2011, Congress traveled to the brink of default after refusing to raise the debt ceiling without significant spending cuts. Read More.

Medicare Reverses The Height Requirement For AFO Devices

Doug Richie Jr. DPM FACFAS

2/25/13 | 1311 reads | 0 comments

Thankfully, clear minds have prevailed. Medicare has rescinded its recent policy that would have required ankle foot orthotic (AFO) devices to reach the head of the fibula. Practitioners can still prescribe prefabricated and custom AFOs that extend above the ankle joint without a height requirement. The new bulletin from Medicare reads as follows: “DME MAC Jurisdiction C News Read More.