Podiatry Today Current Issue

Conquering Plastic Surgery Complications In Wound Care

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:01:43 -0400

The use of plastic surgery techniques has increased dramatically among podiatric surgeons over the past few years. The most useful techniques involve the use of skin grafts and local flaps, which can help solve some difficult wound closure problems. The increased usage of these techniques is partially due to the fact that some are relatively easy to learn and one can learn the basics at weekend workshops. However, as one might expect with any surgical procedure, complications can arise.

Fortunately, severe complications are infrequent but one must handle

A Closer Look At Diabetic Foot Infections

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:01:43 -0400

Diabetic foot infections arising from ulcerations are the largest non-traumatic cause of lower extremity amputations. Contributing factors include peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease, rigid pedal deformities, local trauma and pressure, extensive soft tissue loss, multi-system failure, non-compliance and severe infection.

Over the decades, there have been a number of shifts in the way clinicians approach diabetic foot infections (DFIs). Throughout the ‘60s and into the ‘70s, clinicians felt most DFIs were, like other skin and skin structure inf

Tendon Lengthening: Is It A Viable Option For Forefoot Ulcers?

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:01:43 -0400

Approximately 3 percent of the United States population has diagnosed diabetes mellitus.¹ Diabetic foot problems, however, are the leading cause of amputation.^2,3 The risk of amputation is 15 times greater in patients with diabetes than in other people.² Up to 15 percent of patients with diabetes will require amputation.^1,3 Over 50,000 amputations in patients with diabetes occur annually in the U.S.⁴ In one study of patients with diabetes mellitus, 84 percent of lower extremity amputations were preceded by foot ulcers.

How To Treat An Arthritic Ankle In A Young Patient

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:01:43 -0400

Forefoot issues related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are well noted with fusion of the great toe being a standard procedure in association with relocation or resection of the lesser metatarsophalangeal joints, and fusion of the proximal interphalangeal joints. Surgeons have also been successful in treating the rearfoot with fusion procedures once the arthritis is not tolerable with bracing and medication.

As a patient grows older, it is easier to address the issues of RA in the ankle. In the thin and fairly sedentary patient, ankle replacement is a good

Building Referrals By Marketing To ER Physicians

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:01:43 -0400

This is the time of my professional life when I planned to slow down with fewer clinic hours, less surgery and maybe a few more nursing home visits. It has not worked out that way. Three years ago, I hired an associate who had just completed a quality PSR-24 in a university hospital. The place was an advanced trauma center with a lot of emergency room activity to stimulate young podiatric residents.

He asked about my referral experience from our local emergency room. I received a handful of referrals and consults over the years, and just accepted that tr

New Products

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:01:43 -0400

Promoting Wound Healing

The newest wound dressing uses a combination of several ingredients to remove exudate and promote healing.

In order to facilitate wound healing, Promogran Prisma^™ Matrix combines collagen, oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) and silver ORC+, according to the manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson Wound Management. The company says the chronic wound dressing removes the destructive elements of the wound, maintains a bacterial balance, reduces bacterial growth and utilizes silver to ensure healthy growth of tissue

PRESENT Facilitates International Exchange Of Education And Experience

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:01:43 -0400

Podology in Spain has evolved from a subspecialty of nursing into its own undergrad degree. As a result, Juan Goez, DPM, says the profession is undergoing the same “growing pains” that American podiatry suffered in the 1960s and ‘70s. As the profession grows, PRESENT (Podiatric Residency Education Services Network) Courseware, an online provider of lecture content to U.S. podiatric residency programs, is expanding its series of lectures into Spain to provide podologists with insights into the medical and surgical experience of American DPMs.

“I

How To Manage Surgical Pain In Elderly Patients

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:01:43 -0400

Pain management in the elderly remains one of the most challenging issues for the podiatric surgeon. As life expectancy continues to advance, more geriatric patients will undergo surgery. While these patients may undergo these procedures to help facilitate independence and a better quality of life, one must carefully weigh the risks and benefits of surgical intervention in this patient population.

Regardless of the success of the given surgical procedure, one may still encounter significant tissue damage and the subsequent release of pain and inflammator

Managing Neuropathic Pain: Why Axsain Is A Viable Alternative

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:01:43 -0400

For patients suffering from neuropathic pain, quality of life can be a real issue. Traditional over-the-counter remedies have often not been enough to combat the effects of diabetic neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia. However, with the introduction of Axsain^™ (capsaicin 0.25%), doctors now have a new weapon in their armamentarium to fight pain.

Used alone or as an adjunctive therapy to supplement oral medications, Axsain contains three times as much capsaicin as other brands currently on the market. It works by depleting sensory nerves of t

Point-Counterpoint: Is Ischemia A Direct Risk Factor For Ulceration?

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:01:43 -0400

Yes, these panelists say ischemia plays a significant role in chronic ulcerations and emphasize the importance of a thorough vascular workup in these patients.

By Peter A. Blume, DPM, Kenneth L. Cornell, DPM, Bauer Sumpio, MD, and
John Aruny, MD

Clinicians must consider numerous factors when evaluating and treating ulcerations of the foot. Ulceration in the foot most frequently occurs as a result of a combination of neuropathy, ischemia and trauma. Ulcerations that become chronic in nature frequently result in a lower extremity that is at an i