There are proactive measures podiatric surgeons can take to minimize the risk of litigation with bunion procedures. Accordingly, this author emphasizes informed consent, proper patient and procedure selection, and thorough documentation before, during and after surgery.

   In his classic 1965 textbook, Hallux Valgus, Allied Deformities Of The Forefoot And Metatarsalgia, Kelikian listed the most common complications associated with surgery for the repair of bunion deformity (see “A Guide To Common Complications With Bunion Surgery” on page 40).¹ Over 43 years

Yes. While Dr. Root made a number of substantial contributions to the profession, this author says emerging research has exposed flaws with the subtalar joint neutral theory and the curriculum at podiatry schools has shifted toward alternate theories of foot function.

   Forty-three years ago, Merton L. Root, DPM, established and became director of the first Department of Orthopedics at the California College of Chiropody. This college later became the California College of Podiatric Medicine and is now the California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University.

When hiring another DPM as an associate in your practice, it is important to find a capable practitioner who will enhance patient care and fit in well with you and your staff. This author speaks to practice management experts who offer a guide of what to look for and what to avoid when searching for an associate.

   As your podiatry practice begins to flourish, you may find yourself in need of an associate DPM who can take on some of your patient load and draw more patients to your practice. Although you may have numerous candidates for the job, it is vital to choose a new as

   Before the advent of insulin, death from diabetes occurred early in the disease process. Now people with diabetes are living longer and long-term complications of the disease are more common. One such complication is Charcot arthropathy and since the early report by Jordan linking it to diabetes, the number of case reports has steadily increased.¹

   Although the etiology of Charcot arthropathy is largely unknown, it is well recognized that this condition can occur in conjunction with any peripheral neuropathy. Researchers have found that Charcot

   I was sitting in my recliner one evening when the phone rang. It was a very experienced podiatrist who lived in a town 20 miles away. He wanted me to buy his part-time practice so he could retire.

   I told the retiring podiatrist that I was too busy. I suggested that he call another podiatrist — one we both knew — who had an associate with time on his hands. The retiring DPM said he had already tried that option and several others with no luck. His voice had a pleading quality. I reluctantly told him that I would look at his practice. I was quite surpr