Surgical Pearls »
A Closer Look At Supplemental Fixation Techniques For High Risk Ankle Trauma
Ankle fractures are seemingly uncomplicated injuries. However, in the elderly and people with diabetes, this seemingly straightforward injury can have catastrophic outcomes.
Surgical Pearls »
A Closer Look At Mini-Incision Repair Of The Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture
There has been a variety of research looking at treatments for acute Achilles tendon ruptures including non-operative repair with different rehabilitation protocols, extensile open repairs, percutaneous repairs, percutaneous repair with ultrasound guidance, percutaneous repair with endoscopic guidance and mini-open repairs.1-3 Some physicians advocate for surgical repair whereas others insist that an operation is unnecessary and poses an unacceptable risk.4
Surgical Pearls »
Is The Miami Phalangeal Osteotomy A Viable Alternative To The Akin Osteotomy?
Imagine that you were running late on your way to the hospital to attend to an urgent patient. You have a choice of two routes. One route is longer because it uses two streets, each with a traffic light, and no place to make a U-turn and change direction if the traffic is heavy. The shorter route is a straight shot but has no traffic lights with options for U-turns if necessary.
Surgical Pearls »
Emerging Insights On The First MPJ Arthrodesis
Arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) was first advocated in 1894 by Clutton for severe, painful hallux valgus.1 McKeever refined the technique in 1952 using intramedullary screw fixation, which is currently the gold standard for treatment of advanced arthritis and/or significant deformities of the hallux.2 Common indications for arthrodesis include stage 3 hallux rigidus (osteoarthritis), rheumatoid arthritis, failed first MPJ implants, severe hallux valgus deformities and post-traumatic arthritis.3,4
Surgical Pearls »
How To Enhance Efficiency With The Modified Brostrom Ankle Stabilization
Operating room (OR) efficiency does not happen by accident. The ability to synchronize anesthesia, the OR staff and junior physicians can take the attending surgeon great time, effort and diplomacy within the hospital or surgery center. At the center of the efficient model is the surgery itself. The surgeon must have a procedural template to help maneuver and facilitate the ease of each given procedure.
Surgical Pearls »
Balancing Digital Arthrodesis With Flexor Tendon Transfers And MPJ Corrections
Hammertoe correction, one of the mainstays of podiatric surgery, is not as simple and straightforward as one would think. A surgeon may schedule a hammertoe surgery and assume an arthroplasty will correct the deformity. The surgeon is thinking this procedure is quick, easy to perform and he or she will be in and out of the operating room in no time.
Surgical Pearls »
Exploring The Potential Of Procedures That Address Venous Ulcer Etiology
The complexity of venous ulcerations leads to prolonged healing and doubt. Clinicians have traditionally treated venous wounds with debridement, multi-layer compression dressings and skin grafts.
Surgical Pearls »
A Closer Look At Allografts For Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction
Fifteen to 25 percent of all injuries involving the human musculoskeletal system are reportedly sprains of the lateral ankle ligaments.1 The majority of patients with ankle sprains have excellent results following surgical treatment but 20 to 40 percent of patients with severe ankle sprains will have continued pain and instability.2
Surgical Pearls »
Should Podiatric Surgeons Cease Using Monopolar Electrocautery?
As with other types of extremity surgery, podiatric surgery is very specialized and very diverse in the different types of procedures performed routinely by surgical specialists. Procedures can range from simple or complex osseous surgery to delicate peripheral nerve surgery — all of which require some type of hemostasis to be performed optimally.
Surgical Pearls »
A Closer Look At An Emerging Fixation Option For The Akin Osteotomy
The original Akin osteotomy for the correction of hallux abducto valgus (HAV) included resection of the medial prominence of the first metatarsal head in combination with a medial based wedge osteotomy of the proximal phalanx of the hallux.1 Subsequently, there have been several modifications to the original procedure in order to address factors such as location, rotation, shortening, dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.2-12
