Treatment Dilemmas »
Refining The Treatment Algorithm For Plantar Fasciitis And Plantar Fasciosis
The more I practice the care of foot and ankle ailments, the more I realize the importance of keeping an open mind and recognizing that no one treatment is perfect for all patients. As far as plantar fasciitis is concerned, I have come to realize that a treatment algorithm is important to set up for your practice.
Treatment Dilemmas »
How To Treat The High Arched Cavus Foot
Cavus foot pain can be a difficult and challenging problem. It is far less common to see a high arch patient with foot pain than a low arch patient with foot pain. As a result, high arch feet are less commonly treated or may be less understood than the common flatfoot.
Treatment Dilemmas »
Treating Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon Dysfunction In Dancers
Professional dancers place a large amount of stress on their bodies, especially their lower extremities. In particular, ballet dancers are prone to developing foot and ankle problems.
Treatment Dilemmas »
Keys To Considering Ankle Replacement In The Treatment Of Ankle Arthritis
Ankle replacement is rapidly becoming a comparable option to ankle fusion in the treatment of ankle arthritis. Although ankle replacements in the 1970s did not fare well, the new generation of ankle replacements has provided an excellent option in the treatment of ankle arthritis. Indeed, ankle replacement has proven to be a better option than ankle fusion in the proper situations.
Treatment Dilemmas »
Essential Insights In Diagnosing And Treating Chronic Achilles Tendinosis
The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the human body. As a result of its location and importance in ambulation, the tendon is associated with overuse type injuries. In a small number of Achilles tendon injuries, the acute tendonitis problem is not dealt with appropriately and the chronic microtrauma and damage to the tendon results in scar formation and bulbous partial tear damage to the Achilles tendon. This leads to chronic pain. This type of Achilles injury is chronic in nature and is referred to as an Achilles tendinosis.
Treatment Dilemmas »
Mastering The Treatment Of Complex Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains are the most common athletic injuries and the most common orthopedic injuries presenting to emergency rooms. What we do not often consider is that only a small fraction of ankle sprains present to the emergency room and patients treat most injuries at home with differing levels of conservative care.
Treatment Dilemmas »
Emerging Advances In Treating Great Toe Arthritis
One of the most common presenting problems in foot and ankle practices is hallux limitus/rigidus. While destructive procedures were favored in the past to treat this condition, it is now becoming increasingly common to use reconstructive procedures. Accordingly, let us take a closer look at some of the emerging advances in the treatment of great toe arthritis.
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Coding Update
Editor’s note: As this issue went to press, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) noted the use of new HCPCS codes to go into effect in January 2011 for the use of bioengineered skin substitutes. These codes reportedly include a 0-day global billing period.
G0440 (Application of tissue cultured allogeneic skin substitute or dermal substitute; for use on lower limb, include the site preparation and debridement if permitted: first 25 sq cm or less)
Treatment Dilemmas »
Keys To Diagnosing And Treating Achilles Insertional Pain And Retrocalcaneal Exostosis Pain
Posterior insertional Achilles pain and retrocalcaneal exostosis pain are commonly grouped together as one common problem referred to as posterior insertional Achilles pain. However, these are two different problems with common approaches to treatment. Accordingly, let us take a closer look at retrocalcaneal pain and Achilles insertional pain, explain the different issues with each and their proper treatment options.
Treatment Dilemmas »
Current Concepts In Diagnosing And Treating Osteochondral Lesions
Osteochondral fractures of the talus have been a challenging and often poorly treated problem in podiatry practices. They are often undiagnosed at the initial time of injury and will cause pain with increased activity. This subsequently leads to patients presenting with an ill-defined ankle pain that can be challenging to diagnose.
