DPM Blogs

A Closer Look At ‘Elective’ Ex-Fix For Pediatric Patients

Ron Raducanu DPM FACFAS
5/19/10 | 2377 reads | 0 comments
In the last blog, I discussed the use of external fixation for pediatric trauma. Now let us look at more “elective” applications of ex-fix in the pediatric population. The most common use of mini-rail type systems in the pediatric population is most likely for the lengthening of metatarsals for patients with painful brachymetatarsia. Another less common (if not more effective) application is for lateral column lengthening in severe pes valgo planus feet with lateral deviations at the calcaneocuboid joint. Read More.

Proposing A Mathematical Equation For Surgical Outcomes

Stephen Barrett DPM FACFAS
5/19/10 | 2275 reads | 1 comments
I recently read a great book called Super Crunchers, which illustrates the power of information technology. The book was written by Ian Ayres, an econometrician and professor at Yale Law School. He notes that from the analysis of huge amounts of data, really cool stuff can happen. One can make predictions that outperform the knowledge of “experts.” These predictions range from what is going to be a great Bordeaux red to what Hollywood films are going to break the box office records. Read More.

Are Runners Better Off Than They Were 30 Years Ago?

Doug Richie Jr. DPM FACFAS
5/17/10 | 2540 reads | 1 comments
In the book Born to Run, Christopher McDougall makes the observation that running injuries have not reduced in frequency over the past 30 years despite the perceived technical advances in athletic footwear over this same period of time. He suggests that runners have been ripped off by the hype and false claims made by running shoe manufacturers. While this assertion is partly true (overall running injury rates have not changed much in 30 years), the assumption that footwear has not improved the life of the runner is false. Read More.

Assessing And Understanding The Impact Of The Shoe Upper

Jenny L Sanders DPM
5/13/10 | 2573 reads | 0 comments
Having a better understanding of the anatomy of a shoe can be helpful in advising patients on shoewear, particularly when there is foot deformity or irritation from shoes. With this in mind, let us take a closer look at the upper of a shoe. Read More.

Spreading The Word About The Value Of Podopediatrics

Russell Volpe DPM
5/12/10 | 2776 reads | 0 comments
As podiatrists, we tend to think of ourselves as generalists who treat all kinds of foot ailments. We also tend to think of ourselves as specialists who have dedicated and focused expertise in the diseases of the foot. Read More.

Why You Should Not Write Off The Opening Base Wedge Osteotomy

William Fishco DPM FACFAS
5/7/10 | 5490 reads | 2 comments
When it comes to bunion surgery, we all have our “favorite” technique. Not only do we have a comfort level with the technique, we feel we can use this technique or simple modifications thereof to fix most bunion deformities. In this blog, I want to remind you of an old procedure that has become revitalized recently. Read More.

Is Cheilectomy An Option For End-Stage Hallux Rigidus?

Neal Blitz DPM FACFAS
5/4/10 | 8337 reads | 1 comments
Foot surgeons are well aware of the various surgical procedures that address the various stages of degeneration of the big toe joint. As the severity of arthritis becomes more involved, so do the surgical interventions. Read More.

Are You Doing Your Part To Make Vision 2015 A Reality?

Kathleen Satterfield DPM FACFAOM
4/30/10 | 3205 reads | 0 comments
Did you meet the deadline for your Vision 2015 assignment? You had better check to make sure because you are on the line for getting this done. What? You thought this was an American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) deal? Well, most of us did but at the APMA House of Delegates meeting, it became imminently clear that the APMA alone can not accomplish this paradigm shift. It will take everyone — from the executive director to the last student admitted to a podiatry college — to accomplish parity with our allopathic colleagues. Read More.

Can 'Chemovac' Dressings Be A Valuable Addition To Wound Care?

David G. Armstrong DPM PhD MD
4/27/10 | 2539 reads | 1 comments
Editor's note: This blog entry is co-authored by Nicholas Giovinco, BS. As one might imagine, the use of chemotherapeutic modalities is generally easy. Topical applications and traditional dressing modifications are, in many instances, technically unchanged from standard practice. Our experience with the application of “chemovac” dressings (combining chemotherapeutic dressings with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)). Read More.