DPM Blogs

Podiatric Dermatology Quiz: What Is Your Diagnosis Of This Rash?

Tracey Vlahovic DPM
1/28/13 | 1611 reads | 3 comments
Can you identify the condition in the photo on the left? This systemic vasculitis is characterized by purpura, abdominal pain, hematuria and arthritis. Approximately 75 percent of cases occur in children under the age of 12. The rash primarily involves the lower extremities and buttocks. Which of the following is your diagnosis? a) Morphea b) Henoch-Schonlein Purpura c) Pigmented Purpuric Dermatoses Read More.

New Medicare AFO Requirements: Making The Best Out Of A Bad Ruling

Doug Richie Jr. DPM FACFAS
1/24/13 | 1898 reads | 0 comments
Medicare has mandated new height requirements for ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) in a policy statement issued in July 2012. All practitioners must now dispense ankle-foot orthoses that reach a height within 4 cm of the head of the fibula. As a clinician who uses AFO devices regularly, I find this mandate challenging. As an owner of an AFO company, I view this challenge as a bewildering nightmare. Medicare instituted these new requirements without any opportunity for public comment or discussion. The language states: Read More.

Ankle Arthritis: To Fuse Or Not To Fuse?

Jeffrey Bowman DPM MS
1/23/13 | 1742 reads | 0 comments
Given that our current political leaders cannot seem to agree on much, let us look at what has divided podiatry into two parties: the “Fusion” party and the “Replacement” party. Today, a debate exists whether to fuse or replace an ankle joint. Both procedures are indicated for arthritis that occurs from normal joint degeneration, a traumatic event or inflammatory arthritis. Read More.

When Offloading Devices Are Harder To Remove, Are Wounds Easier To Heal?

David G. Armstrong DPM PhD MD
1/22/13 | 1331 reads | 0 comments
Here's an intriguing meta-analysis from a team in Adelaide in South Australia. In a recently published study in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, Morona and colleagues compared different offloading devices for neuropathic foot ulcers in patients with diabetes.1 The researchers searched medical bibliographic databases, the Internet and reference lists from January 1966 to May 2012. They focused on systematic reviews and controlled studies comparing the use of different offloading devices. Read More.

Why It’s Important To Find Time Away From Your Practice

Nicholas A Campitelli DPM FACFAS
1/18/13 | 1157 reads | 0 comments
I thought I would start the year off on a different note than what I had focused my previous blogs on. As we all set goals for the new year within our practice, it is important to remember that our work is not the only reason we exist. While it is easy to fall into the daily rat race, trying to stay abreast of the latest advancements in podiatry, there is more to life than podiatry. Read More.

Sharing Your Podiatric Knowledge: Why Those Who Can Should Teach

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
1/16/13 | 1547 reads | 0 comments
Knowledge is a gift that we must share and pass on. When you keep it to yourself, you diminish the power of knowledge. Without sharing knowledge, especially knowledge that derives its source from experience, a society, including the profession of podiatric medicine, is cheated. Read More.

How Topical Compounding Has Worked For My Patients

Allen Jacobs DPM FACFAS
1/15/13 | 2256 reads | 1 comments
You may have noticed the increasing presentation of the subject of topical compounded medications at our podiatry meetings. The reason for this is that the science of topical pharmaceutical compounding has advanced significantly over recent years. Read More.

Can Ambulatory Surgical Centers Still Be A Good Investment?

Bradly Bussewitz DPM
1/10/13 | 1624 reads | 1 comments
Ambulatory surgical centers can still be profitable. In some areas of the country, the rate of return is better than for most other investment opportunities. The potential exists to generate one's own business and recoup more of the money that reimbursement cuts have taken. Read More.

Getting Answers On The Peripheral Nervous System At The Upcoming AENS Meeting

Stephen Barrett DPM FACFAS
1/9/13 | 1513 reads | 0 comments
Resolutions are bandying about in our heads, the idiot box, the radio and virtually every other medium known to man now that we have slipped so quickly over the cliff into 2013. In speaking with some of my colleagues while facing the mysterious and unknown precipice of the new year, we discussed upcoming resolutions that we had professionally. Sure, we all wanted to lose some of those pounds packed on at the numerous Christmas parties but I wanted to know what they had in mind from a practice standpoint. Read More.