With the opioid epidemic raging, podiatric surgeons must be able to provide effective and responsible pain relief without risking opioid addiction. A poster presented at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) 2021 Annual Scientific Conference, winner of the second place in the scientific format, identified several risk factors—including rearfoot surgery—for opioid abuse following lower extremity surgery. The retrospective review focused on 6,887 patients (62 percent women) who had surgery of the forefoot, midfoot, rearfoot or ankle.

Researchers from North Carolina State University (NC State) and the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill have demonstrated that, with training, neural control of a powered prosthetic ankle can restore a wide range of abilities, including standing on challenging surfaces and squatting. Helen Huang PhD, the Jackson Family Distinguished Professor in the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at NC State and UNC; Aaron Fleming, a PhD candidate in the joint BME department; and their collaborators wanted to know what would happen if an amputee, working with a physical therapist (PT), trained with a neural controlled powered prosthetic ankle on activities that are challenging with typical prostheses.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, populations were advised to remain at home to control viral spread. Government-mandated restrictions on free movement affected individuals’ engagement with physical activity, with reported increases leading to biopsychosocial health benefits and conversely increased sedentary behaviour leading to poorer health. Good foot health is key to enabling physical activity and maximal participation in activities of occupation and daily living.

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is caused by loss‐of‐function mutations in ALPL resulting in decreased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Metatarsal stress fracture (MSF) is a common clinical feature of hypophosphatasia in adults. In this study, the primary objectives were to determine whether new cases of ALPL variants could be identified in patients with MSF and who also had serum ALP concentration below the reference range and to phenotype their clinical course.

 

 

The CFPM can post a job posting to reach the chiropody/podiatry community. This service is FREE for all CFPM members, and $150 for non-members (for a 30 day posting).