Revisiting the Rocker Sole Shoe
Earlier this summer, I wrote a post at Podiatrytoday.com regarding my views about the popular Rocker Sole shoes. Are the New Rocker Sole Shoes Worth the Hype
I had concerns about the shoes and their effect on equinus. I still have those concerns. Additionally, the weight of the shoes is something that some patients and reviewers had issues with — that they were really too heavy to be comfortable. Some of the research we’ve seen recommends a few things to consider if you are determined to try the Rocker Soles.
Breaking them in — something that we haven’t had to consider with shoes for quite awhile. But, if the shoes are going to be part of a pleasant experience, a period of getting used to them and getting them used to being your shoe is essential.
Other recommendations recommend quality construction. Some of us like to count pennies or demonstrate our sales resistance and avoid ‘falling for’ brand names. But, do consider the brand when looking into the quality of construction. Do a little research to build a list of things that you would look for in the shoes you are trying on. All About Rocker Sole Shoes is an informative video you may find helpful. The recommendation on the video to get fitted at a professional store rather than just mail ordering something and taking off rings true.
Then, be prepared for a different walking experience and practice some safety attention to where you are walking, what is going on with your shoes and the surface you are walking on.
Do you have a history of ankle injury and weakness, for example. Some of these shoes offer more stability than others. Some researchers own more than one level of stability to use for different surfaces or different walking conditions.
If your history includes balance issues and foot injuries that are perpetually uncomfortable, take some time and talk with your podiatrist and your doctor about the wisdom of using the Rocker Sole shoes. Ask if there are other methods of obtaining fitness goals that would serve you better when considering your general health condition.
What are your motives? Do you feel these will be some magic sneakers you can put on and wear around the house and to the mail box, then lose weight or gain body tone? If the shoes are going to be tools in accomplishing any of your fitness goals, be prepared to give the activity the proper amount of time to be effective. Success won’t come in a day or a week.
Involvement in Your State Association | Revisit New Year’s Resolution | October Conference
The Indiana Podiatric Medical Association annual state conference is scheduled to begin October 14, 2010. I am proud to be on the roster of speakers and presenters. The online registration makes attending even easier for you.
The summer season is winding down. Kids are back in school, the gardens are almost ended, other harvest time projects are lining up so that we have a moment to catch up with intentions and plans that may have been pushed toward the end of the list. Some of us still need to exercise more, eat better, listen better. Or, as I wrote in a post at PodiatryToday.com earlier, get involved with your state association.
Questions about why you don’t attend were posed in the PodiatryToday.com article. Is the cost an issue? Or the location at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis? The program? Only you can answer these questions and seek a solution. You are an important part of the podiatry community , particularly in Indiana. If you need help to lower costs, ask someone to brainstorm with you. If you know of a better location, attend and bring that up for next year. Your involvement influences the program — the planners want to give you beneficial programming.
A complaint got me involved and I’ve gained from the experience in many aspects, not the least of which is the chance to make connection with you and others to strengthen my practice. And between us, strengthen the service offered by the podiatric community.
You have time to make a difference for yourself and the association. Follow through on that New Year’s Resolution to become involved and take advantage of the beautiful October season in Indianapolis. Register today. See you there!
New Facebook Community Page for WoundCareHaiti.org
The new Community Page at Facebook for WoundCareHaiti.org will give this mission one more option to connect with people who share interest in Haiti online.
As a topic that appeals to Facebook users outside our field and circle, the community page was recommended as the format to use. As a community page, people who care about Haiti can read our updates and leave their own thoughts as well. They can become part of the mission in an active conversational manner and be creative about ways to accomplish more help for Haitians.
WoundCareHaiti.org was set up a few months before the tragic earthquake that has made the need even greater. When you are at your Account on Facebook, you’re invited to join the group by pressing the ‘like’ button. We’re eager to hear your ideas and interest in Haiti.
Podiatry | Emergency Injury Repair for a Big Toe
Emergency treatment for injuries can involve surgery, such as the work done in this video. The patient suffered a lawnmower injury. The damage was extensive to the big toe. We were able to accomplish repair and avoid future issues such as infection.
As a podiatrist, my practice deals with various foot conditions that are congenital or are developed over time. Other conditions do involve injury such as sports injuries. Some of these are emergency treatment while others are treated after they’ve been bothering the patient for a period of time.
My practice is aimed at providing care for patients’ feet in the full spectrum of need. I am ready and equipped to offer emergency treatment or to offer long term treatment. I have experience with surgeries that can relieve conditions where in the past only the painful symptoms received treatment.
Medical Records | Electronic Technology is Neither All Negative nor All Positive
I wrote a post at my blog account on the DPM Blogs at Podiatry Today about electronic technology for keeping medical records entitled Weighing The Positives And Negatives Of EMR
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I’ve used electronic record keeping in some form for several years. As mentioned in the article, some of the things that are especially appealing is the opportunity to make notes immediately and legibly. I’ve had some concerns on re-reading my notes and reading the notes of other doctors that we become too eager to make extensive notes. Keyboarding is simply easier to fill-in all the possibilities than when we dictate our notes or hand write them. However, too-much-information TMI can lead to confusion and lost time/energy when we have to filter through long and extended notes to get to the real issue.
Some are concerned with the use of templates to complete notes. These tools might be seen as assuming answers and issues by using form options. Surely some cases are very similar, but yet each condition is unique. We can answer these concerns by making templates that aren’t exceptionally complete, but do cover the basics that are typical and could be considered part of a checklist where we make sure we haven’t missed anything. Note areas through-out a template that applies to my practice permit me to make the necessarily unique observations for that case.
The concerns are worth overcoming because of the increased efficiency for my staff when they are working with complete and legible records.
As noted in the original blog post, I see benefit for patients when doctors and staff are using electronic record keeping for greater efficiency in our care process. As medical professionals we are responsible to look at our choice of format to find those which will provide the greatest patient benefit through clarity and efficiency.
MBA Implant for Pediatric Flatfoot | Video
Surgery is performed to correct a pediatric flatfoot deformity. This specific implant is a MBA subtalar implant. It acts as an internal arch support and works very well. It is often done with a Gastroc Recession.
At the YouTube channel, several viewers were kind enough to leave their comments and questions. One of the latest commented on the absence of blood during the surgery. The response was that we use a tourniquet to cut off circulation for a short time during surgery and avoid blood loss.
We frequently video procedures to inform patients and share procedural views with colleagues.
The Benefits of Locking Plates for Foot and Ankle Surgery
A colleague shared an opinion about locking plates for orthopedic surgery, “the most significant advancement in 25 years.”. His comment coincided with my opinion about locking plates after 20 years of practice.
I wrote a blog post at Podiatry Today about the ways locking plates offer change for the outcome of any type of foot surgery, whether forefoot or other types of foot and ankle surgery.
A patient, going into the process of foot surgery, may not be professionally informed about the parts and pieces for adding plates or screws. In my opinion, using locking plates gives my patients at Hoosier Foot and Ankle a lead on a good result.
That is my responsibility to be as informed and skilled as I can possibly be for the successful experience of my patients. I am also interested in informing other practitioners so that they may provide the best for their patients. The blog post at Podiatry Today is straight forward, more interesting and informative to other podiatrists, to be sure. It is my intention that professional podiatry have information about processes that have been successful (or not successful) for me.
Additionally, I’m happy that I have learned the benefits of applying locking plates in the procedures that I perform for my patients.
Hoosier Foot & Ankle Opens 5th Office in Greenwood, IN
Hoosier Foot & Ankle and Dr. Patrick DeHeer will now be treating patients at an additional podiatry office in Greenwood, Indiana. If you are looking for a Greenwood, IN podiatrist please visit our website for more information.
Haiti Pre-Earthquake | Was that the Good Old Days?
Along with many other generous people, we had a heart for the folks in Haiti before the tragic earthquake that caused so much damage a few months ago.
For Haiti, it wasn’t some little thing that happened “a few months ago”, their need was great before and it remains great. The people meet each day with the brave dignity of survivors.
Haiti is still very much on my heart and mind every day along as I treat patients at the Indiana clinics of Hoosier Foot and Ankle. I stay in touch with colleagues who are onsite in Haiti working to deliver wound care and meet other needs. While they work, we know the rest of the world has not forgotten, but each and every caring person is performing tasks at their location, perhaps to earn so they can give. Or perhaps to produce something that benefits more people than our friends in Haiti.
We were with Haiti at WoundCareHaiti.org before the earthquake and we will stay with Haiti. You can learn more at the link or ask me about the Haiti mission at your next appointment. Haiti is one of my favorite topics.