What's in a name? Why the proposed title change for podiatric surgeons is a step backward.

The Australian Podiatry Board's proposal to change the title 'podiatric surgeon' to 'surgical podiatrist' lacks evidence and is contrary to broader healthcare reform agendas. The current title 'podiatric surgeon' reflects scope of practice. Instead of a title change, regulators should focus on removing barriers to effective collaborative care.

Metatarsocuneiform joint resection arthroplasty for atraumatic osteoarthrosis: an alternative to arthrodesis.

The reported operative treatment of primary osteoarthrosis of the metatarsocuneiform joint has focused primarily on methods of arthrodesis. Arthrodesis of the metatarsocuneiform joint can result in complications in the older or obese patient who is unable to tolerate non-weightbearing. Age and health status can also increase the rate of nonunion and venous thromboembolism, especially in the immobile patient.

Plantar pressures and relative lesser metatarsal lengths in older people with and without forefoot pain.

Forefoot pain is a common problem in older people. We determined whether plantar pressures during gait and the relative lengths of the lesser metatarsals differ between older people with and without plantar forefoot pain. Dynamic plantar pressure assessment during walking was undertaken using the Tekscan MatScan® system in 118 community-dwelling older people (44 males and 74 females), mean age 74 (standard deviation=5.

Ultrasound guided corticosteroid injection for plantar fasciitis: randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of ultrasound guided corticosteroid injection in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Design: Randomised, investigator and participant blinded, placebo controlled trial.

Setting: University clinic in Melbourne, Australia.

Development and reliability of an intraoperative first metatarsophalangeal joint cartilage evaluation tool for use in hallux valgus surgery.

The objective of this study was to examine the reliability of an intraoperative evaluation tool for assessing cartilage degeneration of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in hallux valgus surgery. During hallux valgus reconstruction, 2 examiners documented the location, depth, and surface area of cartilage lesions affecting the first MTPJ in 20 females aged 17 to 69 (mean 50.9 ± 13.

Interventions for treating osteoarthritis of the big toe joint.

Background: Osteoarthritis affecting of the big toe joint of the foot (hallux limitus or rigidus) is a common and painful condition. Although several treatments have been proposed, few have been adequately evaluated.

Objectives: To identify controlled trials evaluating interventions for osteoarthritis of the big toe joint and to determine the optimum intervention(s).

Ultrasound guided injection of dexamethasone versus placebo for treatment of plantar fasciitis: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Plantar fasciitis is the most commonly reported cause of chronic pain beneath the heel. Management of this condition commonly involves the use of corticosteroid injection in cases where less invasive treatments have failed. However, despite widespread use, only two randomised trials have tested the effect of this treatment in comparison to placebo.

Postoperative infection rates in foot and ankle surgery: a clinical audit of Australian podiatric surgeons, January to December 2007.

Background: Surgical site infections are one of the most common post-operative complications encountered by foot and ankle surgeons. The incidence reported in the literature varies between 0.5 and 6.

Is there a role for podiatric surgeons in public hospitals? An audit of surgery to the great toe joint in Victoria, 1999-2003.

This project aimed to describe and compare the frequencies of procedures performed by podiatric surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons for elective surgery to the great toe joint, an area of identified clinical need. The objective was to determine whether podiatric surgeons in the Australian context possess a surgical skill set which can be utilised in the public health sector. The Medicare Benefits Schedule (Medicare Australia) was reviewed to identify all codes relating to great toe joint surgery and frequency data were obtained for the period July 1999 to June 2003.

Recent developments in podiatric prescribing in the UK and Australia.

Recent and substantial changes in access to restricted medicines by podiatrists in Australia are clearly consistent with healthcare policies aimed at reshaping the healthcare workforce. At the same time, prescribing and access to medicines by allied health professionals, including podiatrists, has been the focus of a recent scoping project by the UK Department of Health. In this commentary we explore the possible implications of these changes.

Hallux valgus and hallux rigidus: a comparison of impact on health-related quality of life in patients presenting to foot surgeons in Australia.

Background: Hallux valgus and hallux rigidus are common foot conditions that lead to a deterioration in health status. Patients with significant pain or deformity from these conditions frequently resort to surgery. In this project, the foot health status of patients with hallux valgus and hallux rigidus presenting to foot surgeons in Australia was compared.

Foot and ankle surgery in Australia: a descriptive analysis of the Medicare Benefits Schedule database, 1997-2006.

Background: Foot and ankle problems are highly prevalent in the general community and a substantial proportion of people seek surgical treatment to alleviate foot pain and deformity. However, the epidemiology of foot and ankle surgery has not been examined in detail. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine patterns and costs of private sector foot surgery provision in Australia.