Podiatry Today Current Issue

Study Identifies Risk Factors For Osteomyelitis In The Diabetic Foot

admin — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:34:22 -0500

By Brian McCurdy, Senior Editor

Given that osteomyelitis can have serious consequences in the diabetic foot, a recently published study online in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice identifies several risk factors that may facilitate earlier diagnosis of bone infection.

Researchers studied 1,666 patients with diabetes from two large primary care facilities in south Texas. They defined osteomyelitis as a positive culture from a bone specimen. Over a mean follow-up period of 27.2 months, 151 patients developed foot infections and 30 of these p

Exploring The Potential Of Gene Therapy For Patients With Diabetes

admin — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:49:37 -0500

Gene therapy has entered the forefront of medicine and there may be potential benefits in all fields of healthcare. The potential for gene therapy to target disease has vastly expanded since the first successful human treatment for severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) emerged in 1990.

In podiatric medicine, one proposed target that has devastating consequences is the diabetic foot ulcer. As diabetes mellitus continues to become more common within the podiatric population, the necessity to care for wounds and focus on limb preservation is becoming mor

When An Elderly Patient Presents With A Painful Blister And Swelling

admin — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:00:56 -0500

An 85-year-old Caucasian male presents with a heel ulcer after spending eight weeks in a rehabiltation home following hip replacement surgery. He presently spends much of his time in a lounge chair or in a wheelchair. He has a history of angina, arthritis, aortic valve replacement, prostate cancer with radiation treatment and Parkinson’s disease. He is taking carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemat, Merck), ropinirole (Requip, GlaxoSmithKline) and warfarin (Coumadin, Bristol-Myers Squibb). He is allergic to sulfa.

The patient initially underwent a workup and a debr

Key Insights On The Evolution Of Orthoses And Biomechanics

admin — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:05:02 -0500

While more research continues to emerge on biomechanics, some physicians feel it is not emphasized enough in podiatry and that other specialists may be gaining more of a foothold in prescribing orthotic devices. Accordingly, expert panelists discuss these controversial issues and examine the potential impact for the profession.

Q: With much emphasis in our podiatry journals on surgery, where and how do you see biomechanics in our profession evolving?

A: As David Levine, DPM, CPed, notes, orthotic devices came of age in the 1970s in th

A Closer Look At Lateral Talar Process Fractures With Snowboarding Injuries

admin — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:34:25 -0500

As the winter season continues, physicians need to become more aware of snowboarding injuries. The number of ankle injuries continues to rise and, in particular, lateral talar process (LTP) fractures seem to be occurring more frequently within the snowboarding population.

Kirkpatrick, et al., conducted a prospective study of 3,213 snowboarding injuries that occurred at 12 Colorado ski resorts between 1988 and 1995.¹ These injuries consisted of 15.3 percent injuries to the ankle and 1.8 percent injuries to the foot. In regard to the ankle injur

New Products February 2009

admin — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:44:34 -0500

Orthotics For Kids

A new line of orthoses may provide relief for children suffering from flatfoot.

ProLab Orthotics says the P3 Functional Kiddythotics™ provide effective orthotic therapy for young children with flexible flatfoot.

The company says the functional prefabricated Kiddythotics are compromised of a rigid polypropylene shell, a deep heel cup, medial flange, medial heel skive, and a 4/4 rearfoot post.

ProLab adds that new color-coded sizes are available.

Company: ProL

Weathering The Changes To Improve The Profession

admin — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:48:46 -0500

Change versus experience. It is a theme that was on the forefront of many people’s minds late last year. Now, in the podiatric community, this theme of change lives on with surgical affiliations.
The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has recently announced the formation of its new affiliate, the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons, Inc. (ASPS). Meanwhile, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ACFAS) continues on without the requirement of APMA membership for renewing members.

The ASPS represents change while