DPM Blogs

The Dangers Of ‘Declaring’ Diagnoses

Allen Jacobs DPM FACFAS

12/17/12 | 1142 reads | 0 comments

The phrase “Well, I declare” is humorous when heard on television or movie entertainment portraying a stereotypical southerner. My friend and accomplished former college and podiatry school (for my colleagues who prefer to say they attended medical school, I apologize — I went to podiatry school) classmate, Marty Pressman, DPM, once commented to me that the best part of being an orthopedist is that you can “declare” a diagnosis without the necessity of certain things, such as — oh, for instance — facts. Read More.

When It Comes To Incisions, Less Is More

Stephen Barrett DPM FACFAS

12/13/12 | 1674 reads | 1 comments

"Outlined against a blue-gray October sky, the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore, they are known as Famine, Pestilence, Destruction and Death. These are only aliases.” However, the four that I know are different from those in Grantland Rice’s 1924 New York Herald Tribune article. Those horsemen haunting me are Bias, Ms. Perception, Dogma and Evidenced Based (EB). These four evildoers of lore are opposite in spirit of the original four horsemen but just as passionate — and they are not aliases. Read More.

Establishing SMART Goals For 2013 And Beyond

Lynn Homisak PRT

12/11/12 | 1144 reads | 0 comments

When I think of direction, I am reminded of the story of Alice in Wonderland. If you recall, during her travels she arrived at a fork in the road. She stopped and looked around but didn’t know which way to continue. “What road do I take?” she asked Cheshire Cat, who happened to be sitting in a nearby tree. “Well,” said the Cat, “That all depends. Where is it that you want to end up?” “I don’t know,” replied Alice, to which the Cat responded, “Then it really doesn’t matter what road you choose.” Read More.

What The Affordable Care Act Means For Wound Care Practitioners

Desmond Bell DPM CWS FACCWS

12/10/12 | 1556 reads | 1 comments

The 2012 presidential election has passed. Gone with it is any chance that I would expand my practice in the foreseeable future. Read More.

How To Ensure A More Accurate Diagnosis Of Achilles Tendon Disorders

William Fishco DPM FACFAS

12/5/12 | 2251 reads | 2 comments

Patients commonly complain about pain in the region of their Achilles tendon. Through a careful examination and patient history, one may diagnose more than one condition that can be inter-related. Rather than simply diagnosing the problem as an “Achilles tendinitis” or a “heel spur,” practitioners can provide a more accurate diagnosis and ultimately an appropriate treatment protocol through a more straightforward examination. Read More.

Why I Always Prescribe Full-Width Foot Orthotics For Overweight Patients

Larry Huppin DPM

12/4/12 | 1771 reads | 2 comments

I just saw a prescription come into ProLab Orthotics from a new client. The doctor noted on the prescription form that the patient had plantar fasciitis and weighed 280 pounds. Her prescription was for a Featherweight orthosis (a functional orthoses made from medium density EVA). She also ordered a standard cast fill and a standard width. Read More.

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

Tracey Vlahovic DPM

12/3/12 | 1846 reads | 4 comments

Can you identify the lesion in the photo on the left? Read More.

Dispelling The Myths And Misconceptions About Hallux Rigidus

Doug Richie Jr. DPM FACFAS

11/29/12 | 1795 reads | 1 comments

I recently read a flurry of postings on another podiatric Web site giving advice on a complication from implant arthroplasty of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) in a patient with hallux rigidus. I was amazed by the propagation of myths regarding hallux rigidus, metatarsus primus elevatus and the selection of surgical procedures to treat this disorder. Read More.

We Are Podiatrists. Nothing More, Nothing Less.

Ron Raducanu DPM FACFAS

11/28/12 | 2619 reads | 29 comments

Ladies and gentlemen, I have an earth shattering confession to make. Wait for it … I am extremely proud and honored to call myself a podiatrist. As silly and simple as this revelation may seem, when I look around at what is going on in our profession today, that term that so eloquently describes what we do everyday seems to be whispered these days instead of proclaimed loudly and proudly. It is almost blasphemous to actually refer to ourselves as what exactly we are. We are podiatrists, the foot and ankle experts, nothing more and nothing less. Read More.