Technology improves podiatry in the VA healthcare system

The electronic medical records system within the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system, which provides clinicians access to all aspects of a patient's records, has helped transform VA podiatric care.

Podiatrist Profile: Steven Reiner, DPM

Eight years ago, Steven Reiner, DPM, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Since his diagnosis, Reiner has become an advocate for diabetes education and a role model for his own patients.

Evidence-based medicine is coming to Medicare

Podiatry Online's Robert Eckles, DPM, MPH explains how Medicare increasingly uses evidence-based medicine to determine access and payment for services and products.

Alpha-lipoic acid is potential alternative therapy to reduce symptoms of diabetic neuropathy

Although its use is limited in the United States, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is highly regarded in Europe as an alternative treatment for diabetic neuropathy.

Choosing and maintaining a retirement plan

Chances are you've thought about retirement, but unless you actively plan for it, those carefree days you dream about will remain out of reach. Learn how to make smart investment choices that can help ensure your financial health at retirement.

Treating toenail onychomycosis? Check for other fungal skin infections

Toenail onychomycosis frequently coexists with other types of fungal skin infections, and podiatrists need to be on the lookout for other causes of similar symptoms.

Surgical Pearl: Crescentic osteotomy for hallux valgus correction

Hallux valgus is one of the more common deformities, prevalent in populations that wear Western-style shoes. Although it has received some negative press, crescentic osteotomy can correct in all three planes and with greater technical ease than other proximal procedures.

Celebrating the holidays in the office

Podiatry Online board member Lynn Homisak explores how to approach holiday gift exchanges and parties with your staff.

Duct tape for warts: No definitive answer yet

Duct tape may be no better than placebo for the treatment of verruca vulgaris; however, further research may be needed to definitively determine whether this non-prescription treatment is effective.

Large population study shows incidence of lower extremity amputation high among women, younger aged diabetic patients

Among individuals with diabetes, women younger than 54 years and men aged 35 to 64 years showed high relative risks of lower extremity amputation compared with non-diabetic controls.

Onychomycosis therapy for patients with diabetes

Because of the increased risk that diabetic patients have for lower extremity morbidity, onychomycosis presents as more than a simple cosmetic nuisance. This article explores this common malady among diabetic patients.

Surgical Pearl: TightRope for syndesmosis fixation

Rupture of the syndesmotic complex is an injury frequently encountered by the foot and ankle surgeon. Podiatry Online Board Member Mark Hardy, DPM, and colleague Jonathan Sharpe, DPM, explore the use of a new fixation technique that improves surgical outcomes.

Podiatrist Profile: Jerome Slavitt, DPM

Jerome Slavitt, DPM, aka “Dr. Gadget,” is the chief of the Division of Podiatry at Northwest Hospital Center in Baltimore, Maryland, who has a knack for developing products that benefit his patients and others.

Timing your family

When is the best time to start a family? Podiatry Online asked eight podiatrists from across the country about their views on family and career.

Heel ulcers may occur more frequently in patients with diminished vascular function

Eleven percent of foot ulcerations treated at a Veteran's Administration podiatry clinic in 2001 occurred at the heel, according to a retrospective chart review, but more importantly, heel ulcerations appear to be related to diminished vascular function.

Stress fractures to talus warrant long-term follow-up

Non-dislocated stress fractures of the talus generally heal well with reduced exercise and a period of nonweightbearing, but about half of the patients in a small study of Finnish military recruits showed minor degeneration in the injured site during follow-up, ranging from one to six years post-injury.

Public speaking can improve your practice

Giving talks can be a key element in your podiatric practice's marketing campaign. Learn the skills you need to give a successful talk.

Cost-related medication non-adherence high among disabled Medicare enrollees and enrollees in poorer health

Close to 30% of non-elderly disabled Medicare enrollees report non-adherence to prescription medication regimens due to costs, compared with 13% of elderly enrollees.

Knee-flexed, ankle range-of-motion measures in children may be unreliable

Routine measurement of pediatric ankle range of motion with knee flexion may be highly unreliable.

Market your practice to build referrals

Marketing, networking and face-to-face-contact are all important aspects of building relationships with other physicians who could refer patients to you. Learn how to reach both referring physicians and their staff.

What you need to know about negotiating with healthcare insurance companies

Like a good marriage, a good relationship with an insurance company takes a fair amount of negotiating and compromise. This two-part series looks at how to negotiate a fair contract with healthcare insurance companies. Part I covers choosing and negotiating the best contracts. Part II covers managing your contracts.

Updated diabetic foot disorder guidelines stress prevention and multidisciplinary management

Newly released clinical practice guidelines for diabetic foot disorders, from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), stress prevention and a multidisciplinary team approach for the management of foot complications.

Parameters assess correlation between heel pain and the calcaneus

Calcaneal body index and calcaneal inclination angle are reliable methods for evaluating postero-superior heel pain, or Haglund's disease, researchers report.

A positive Tinel's sign is a diagnostic indicator of tarsal tunnel syndrome and anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Diagnosing and treating tarsal tunnel syndrome

Patients experiencing sensory disturbances or pain to portions of the foot and ankle should be assessed for tarsal tunnel syndrome, a complex compression neuropathy of the posterior tibial nerve as it passes in the anatomic tarsal tunnel in the medial ankle.

Elastic wrap/air brace combo brings quicker return to normal for first-time mild to moderate ankle sprains

Patients receiving the combined treatment of elastic wrap and an air brace for first time grade I and II ankle sprains returned to normal activities in less time than patients treated with an elastic wrap, air brace or walking cast alone.

Surgical treatment of retrocalcaneal exostosis

The surgical procedures used to treat posterior heel pain traditionally require at least partial detachment of the Achilles tendon insertion into the calcaneus. However, in recent years, some surgeons have been performing a modified approach based upon anatomic considerations and early return to weight-bearing.

The four perimeters of podiatric office computer security

Learn the basics of protecting the data on your computer systems.

Part I discusses physical security, data back-ups and computer passwords.

Part II discusses firewalls, data encryption and antivirus and anti-spyware software.

Managing foot and ankle fusions and complications post-operatively

Managing patients conservatively after fusion surgery is as important as the pre-operative work-up, and is often where the success of the procedure is compromised. Learn when and how to provide post-surgical orthotic interventions.

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