Podiatry Today Current Issue

Current Concepts With The Lapidus Bunionectomy

admin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:40:42 -0500

When it comes to treating hallux valgus, the Lapidus arthrodesis can be an effective procedure. These authors discuss the evolution of the technique, offer a guide to key indications and contraindications, and provide essential step-by-step pearls for performing the procedure.

Hallux valgus is one of the most common deformities we see as foot and ankle surgeons. There are over 100 different types of surgical procedures for this deformity.^1,2 With the considerable variety of procedures, it is fairly evident that no one procedure has been able to provide

How To Address Avascular Necrosis

admin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:14:48 -0500

When surgeons perform distal first metatarsal osteotomies, avascular necrosis (AVN) is a relatively common complication. Accordingly, these authors emphasize having a strong understanding of the involved vascular anatomy, share intraoperative pearls for minimizing the risk and offer treatment insights when AVN does occur.

Although it is a relatively rare problem, avascular necrosis (AVN) of the first metatarsal head is a condition that we should be aware of and understand. This condition started getting attention when surgeons offered the first descriptions of dis

How To Respond To A Medicare Audit

admin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:12:48 -0500

While undergoing a Medicare audit can be a stressful situation, this author emphasizes cooperation and documentation, and outlines key factors that commonly trigger an audit of one’s practice.

You have been notified that you are about to be audited by Medicare. Do not panic. Audits are simply the cost of doing business. Many entities may audit you during the lifetime of your practice. Your practice may be subject to audits from insurance companies, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and even the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

When y

How To Master The Ponseti Technique For Clubfoot

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:50:09 -0500

Please click here for the full Continuing Medical Education article:

www.naccme.com/program/2008-pd-12/

Since surgery for clubfoot can be fraught with complications, podiatric physicians have had a renewed interest in the benefits of the Ponseti technique. Accordingly, this author offers a step-by-step guide to effective manipulation and offers key pearls for casting.

News and Trends

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:02:38 -0500

Should You Treat Asymptomatic Pediatric Flatfoot?

By Brian McCurdy, Senior Editor

When encountering a child with asymptomatic flatfoot, it is important to decide whether you should treat the condition or see if the flatfoot will improve on its own. A recent article in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (JAPMA) examines the effects of orthoses for this condition and provides a framework for treatment.

After reviewing studies on the use of orthoses to treat pediatric flatfoot, the authors of the JAPMA article pres

A New Direction For ‘The Forum’ And Greatest Hits From Dr. McCord

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:09:09 -0500

When I first started working on Podiatry Today about eight and a half years ago, I found myself trying to find and recruit a variety of podiatrists to be regular columnists for the magazine. John McCord, DPM, was the first columnist to come on board.

Dr. McCord had an idea for a regular op-ed column that would largely draw upon his experiences in the podiatric profession. This turned into the “Forum,” which is certainly one of the most well read columns in the magazine.

With the “Forum,” you may read a salient commentary on

Can Nerve Fiber Density Testing Facilitate Earlier Treatment Of Diabetic Neuropathy?

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:36:58 -0500

Intraepidermal nerve fiber density testing is gaining enthusiastic acceptance for the diagnosis as well as the staging of diabetic neuropathy. Studies have demonstrated reduced intraepidermal nerve fiber density in patients with diabetes type 1 and type 2.¹ One major advantage of intraepidermal nerve fiber density testing is the ability to detect the presence of evolving peripheral neuropathy in the presence of normal neurophysiologic studies. ²

Electrodiagnostic studies are reflective of large fiber disease, which is frequently pre

When A Patient Presents With Malodorous, Macerated Feet

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:01:17 -0500

Key Questions To Consider

   1. What essential question does one still need to help make the diagnosis?
   2. What is the tentative diagnosis?
   3. Can you list at least three differential diagnoses?
   4. What features in this condition differentiate it from other conditions?
   5. What is the suitable treatment of this condition?

A 27-year-old Caucasian male presents with a history of a strong smell of the feet for the past five years. He is very active in sports. The p

Essential Insights On Developing Expertise In Podiatric Sports Medicine

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:19:23 -0500

Over the decades, the concept of podiatric sports medicine has evolved. In years past, educators at podiatry schools directly and indirectly implied that it was primarily making orthoses for runners. Certainly, this was the case in the early 1970s running boom as George Sheehan, MD, a cardiologist, urged runners to seek the biomechanical benefit of foot orthoses.

However, as more patients from other sports gravitated to podiatrists for biomechanical help, the knowledge base of the practitioner had to expand. One of my mentors, John Durkin Jr., DPM, advis

Key Principles For Assessing Practice Value

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:27:31 -0500

When it comes to purchasing a podiatry practice, there are a variety of factors that one must consider in evaluating the worth of the practice. Assessing the value of a practice is fraught with potential landmines if one does not go into the process with a strong understanding of some key principles to medical practice valuation.

According to the Dictionary of Health Economics and Finance, practice valuation is the “formal process of determining the worth of healthcare or other medical business entity at a specific point in time and the act or process