Podiatry Today Current Issue

Secrets To Patient Adherence With Night Splints

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:53:58 -0400

Although night splints can be a valuable treatment for plantar fasciitis, their bulkiness can make patient adherence a challenge. There are also varying perspectives on the role of night splints within the armamentarium for plantar fasciitis. Accordingly, this author offers a closer look at these issues in facilitating relief for patients.

Current Concepts In Retrocalcaneal Heel Spur Surgery

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:07:33 -0400

Retrocalcaneal heel pain, also known as insertional Achilles tendinopathy, can occur in both sedentary and athletic populations. Accordingly, this author offers a primer on posterior heel anatomy and insights on conservative and surgical management in these patient populations.

How To Address Inferior Heel Pain

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:18:16 -0400

While plantar fasciitis is a common diagnosis for inferior heel pain, these authors emphasize the importance of a proper workup and differential diagnosis. They also offer pearls on conservative treatments such as corticosteroid injections and provide insights on surgical procedures such as plantar fasciotomy.

Is Low-Energy ESWT Better Than High-Energy ESWT For Plantar Fasciitis?

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:33:52 -0400

Yes. Lowell Weil Jr., DPM, MBA, FACFAS cites emerging research on low-energy ESWT and says it can be a cost-effective treatment for plantar fasciitis and other conditions.

When musculoskeletal extracorporeal shockwave (ESWT) was introduced in the United States with its first FDA approval in 2000, there was a great deal of controversy and posturing among manufacturers of ESWT technologies. Each company was determined to create an exclusive market for itself at the expense of its competition.

Keys To Diagnosing And Treating Calcaneal Apophysitis

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:19:36 -0400

Given that calcaneal apophysitis is a common cause of heel pain in children, this author reviews the literature and offers insights on the etiology of the condition, the diagnostic workup and pertinent treatment pearls.

How To Address Stump Neuromas

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:57:35 -0400

Given the challenges of stump neuromas in the foot, this author offers insights on the etiology, conservative management and surgical options such as nerve capping and transplantation.

The stump neuroma is a natural and expected occurrence after nerve injury. When damaged, the proximal nerve segment attempts to regenerate, leading to a bulb-shaped thickening or stump. Trauma is a common cause for these injuries throughout the body.

November 2009

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:22:56 -0400

Study Examines Effect Of Smoking On Elective Foot Surgery

By Brian McCurdy, Senior Editor

Although studies have previously shown a link between smoking cigarettes and delayed bone healing, research has until now been scarce on the effects of smoking on elective foot surgery. A recent study in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery finds that bone healing can take as much as 42 percent longer in patients who smoke.

Can Nanotechnology Have An Impact For Patients With Diabetes?

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:42:37 -0400

Regardless of their specialty, clinicians will encounter patients who are affected by diabetes mellitus, infection and wound healing issues. Therefore, the emerging, evolving science of nanomedicine and how this technology could positively enhance patient outcomes would be of great interest to all physicians including DPMs.

Essential Insights On Addressing Common Wound Dilemmas

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:54:33 -0400

Whether it is dealing with recalcitrant wounds, choosing appropriate empiric antibiotics for infected wounds or weighing the benefits of palliative care, our expert panelists offer their perspectives on a wide range of wound care issues.

Q: When would you consider obtaining a wound culture and prescribing antibiotics? What is your empiric oral antibiotic of choice?

Essential Insights On Treating Retrocalcaneal Exostosis

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:41:08 -0400

The management of posterior heel pain can be a perplexing diagnostic and therapeutic problem. The differential diagnosis is extensive and even the skilled clinician can experience difficulty establishing an accurate diagnosis. Of the challenging conditions affecting the back of the heel, the retrocalcaneal exostosis may be the most onerous to treat.