Volume 18 - Issue 5 - May 2005
Forum »
Taking The Right Approach To Medical Curveballs
I tried to apply a soft fiberglass cast to the leg of a screaming 4-month-old baby boy last week. It was toward the end of a very busy day and, in most cases, a screaming baby would not be an opportunity I would seek. In this case, the child’s screaming was music to my ears.
The baby boy was one of my curveballs. A curveball is a category of patient that presents with particularly difficult foot problems or health problems. This baby was referred to me by Isaac Pope, MD, my most reliable source of “curveballs.”
Isaac is a pediat
Letters »
Exploring Another View On The DPM/MD Debate
The debate that continues about the DPM/MD or DPM/DO dual degree is understandable, as demonstrated by Duane Dumm, DPM (see pg. 14, “Dual Degrees May Not Benefit DPMs,” March issue). Change is difficult. Change is suspect. Change is resisted. However, in podiatric medicine, change is a function of rapid growth with dimensions of practice that many take for granted and perhaps others do not fully realize.
First, dual degrees are not simply programs designed to benefit the DPM. While there certainly is a benefit to the podiatric physician, the ultimate
Diabetes Watch »
Key Considerations In Managing The Charcot Foot
Diabetic neuropathy is a major risk factor in patients with diabetes. However, a larger impending threat to patients with neuropathy is the risk of developing Charcot arthropathy and ultimately an ulcer that causes deformity or joint instability. In patients with diabetic neuropathy, Charcot arthropathy alone results in an increased risk of ulceration and/or amputation.1 The subsequent deformities one sees with Charcot, predominantly the rocker bottom deformity, are due to the loss of structural joint integrity.
The subsequent deformities one
Diagnostic Dilemmas »
When Sesamoid Pain Complicates Hallux Limitus Cases
As I get more in tune with patient care, I find that the simple cases such as hallux limitus are more difficult than I initially thought because they are often more complicated and involved than the original examination might show. I have come to this conclusion after being burned by a couple of trouble cases and learning what to look for as a result.
A typical patient is a 47-year-old female with chronic pain in the great toe. She has trouble in dress shoes and has mild limitation of shoegear. The patient reports having mild pain when playing golf and th
New Products »
New Products
Brace Yourself
For injured patients who need supportive and comfortable braces, clinicians may want to give an established product line another look.
The Aircast line of pneumatic walking braces, including the XP Walker™ (extra pneumatic), FP Walker™ (foam pneumatic) and SP Walker™ (short pneumatic), have been improved. The improved braces were unveiled recently at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
In order to provide enhanced support and protection,
News and Trends »
Will Medicare Slash Reimbursement In 2006?
Congressional legislation has been able to hold off cuts in Medicare reimbursement for the last several years. However, the relief may have been only temporary. If Congress does not take further action beyond the temporary 2004-05 legislative fix, physicians may see a reduction in Medicare reimbursement in 2006.
Without a legislative remedy, podiatrists will see a 5.2 percent reduction in Medicare payments next year, notes Julie K. Letwat, JD, MPH, the Director of Health Policy and Practice Advocacy for the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACF
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