Comparative study of ankle support devices.

The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of four commonly used ankle support devices (Active Ankle, Aircast Sport Stirrup, DonJoy Ankle Ligament Protector and Malleoloc) to restrict active inversion range of motion before and after exercise. The subjects also compared the devices on subjective characteristics, including stability, comfort, and ease of application and removal. Eighteen subjects had both ankles tested for maximum inversion on a specially designed measuring apparatus during three sessions: 1) before application, 2) before exercise with the support device, and 3) after exercise with the support device.

Serologic surveillance for the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, in Minnesota by using white-tailed deer as sentinel animals.

To determine the effectiveness of white-tailed deer as sentinel animals in serologic surveillance programs for Borrelia burgdorferi, we performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western immunoblotting analyses on 467 deer serum samples. The seropositivity rate in the ELISA was 5% for the 150 samples collected at the three sites in which the tick Ixodes scapularis was absent. The three sites with established I.

Tibialis posterior tendon associated with hallux abducto valgus. A preliminary study.

The etiology of hallux abducto valgus has been the topic of much study. The authors of this study have attempted to investigate an association of anomalous insertions of the tibialis posterior tendon and their relationship to hallux abducto valgus. The authors present evidence that such anomalous insertions are normal, but may contribute to the development of the deformity because of variations in those insertions.

The treatment of monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the first metatarsal with free vascularized fibular bone graft.

Historically, patients suffering from fibrous dysplasia of the metatarsals faced amputation or resection as the treatments of choice. Although the lesion itself is not malignant, pain, swelling, and disability dictated the treatment. With recent refinements in microvascular surgery, vascularized bone grafting has offered a viable alternative for this and similar conditions that offers the potential for a functional, pain-free foot.

Chondroid syringoma. A rare occurrence in the hallux.

The gross and histologic characteristics of chondroid syringoma were discussed. A case history of the fourth published occurrence of this rare tumor of the lower extremity was presented. Because of the rare occurrence of this tumor in the lower extremity, chondroid syringoma can easily be misdiagnosed.

Toward a philosophy of podiatric medical education.

Philosophy offers us the ability to think logically and critically about any field of knowledge, podiatric medical education included. By proceeding in an orderly manner, the growth of the profession will be ensured as long as the thinkers are willing to be truthful. Ironically, conformity is not a necessity and a diversity of philosophies is actually encouraged.

Anti-CD2-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of T cell polypeptides is independent of the PMA-induced modification of p56lck.

The molecular basis for T cell activation involves the phosphorylation of of polypeptides at both serines and tyrosines. We find that with human peripheral T cells the serine phosphorylation of p56lck is independent of the more rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of other polypeptides via stimulation of the CD2 receptor with anti-CD2 (anti-T11(2) and anti-T11(3) mAb's). Triton X-100 soluble polypeptides were analyzed by Western blotting with the subsequent immunodetection by anti-phosphotyrosine or anti-lck antibodies.

Primary care podiatric medicine and entry level residency. The new millennium.

The author presents the perspective that the nation's health care initiatives demand that greater attention be given to primary care providers. Inasmuch as the credibility of the podiatric medical profession must function in a health care environment dominated by allopathic and osteopathic physicians, the podiatric primary care initiative must be pursued within the guidelines and definitions for primary care that are present in all of mainstream medicine. The author argues that primary care podiatric medicine must establish itself as a specialty that stands as an equal along side of the other recognized specialties in podiatric medicine.

Acquired fibrokeratoma of the heel.

Acquired fibrokeratomas traditionally have been classified by both appearance and anatomical location. They are benign, solitary lesions that characteristically involve the digits of the hands and feet. The authors present a case with unusual involvement of the plantar surface of the heel.

Osteonecrosis secondary to internal fixation.

Allergies to metals as a cause of failure of joint prostheses has historically been a controversial issue. Loosening of a prosthesis may be due to trauma, infection of the surrounding area, or a faulty implantation of the device. However, cases of loosening of the device do occur without any history of the above criteria.

Smoking and peripheral vascular disease. Podiatric medical update.

Although there is strong evidence that cigarette smoking is perhaps the major risk factor associated with peripheral occlusive vascular disease, there still appears to be little indication that clinicians in podiatric medicine and patients recognize this. When smoking is combined with other risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, the probability of developing peripheral arterial disease is greatly increased. In addition, smoking appears to accelerate the natural history of the process of atherogenesis and thrombosis.

Near fatal systemic toxicity from local injection of podophyllin for pedal verrucae treatment.

An extremely rare case of systemic podophyllin toxicity from local injection is presented with a review of the literature. There is only one other known similar case reported in the medical literature world wide. Clinical and pathologic findings will be discussed.

Clinical determination of the linear equation for the subtalar joint axis.

The authors present a methodology to measure the frontal plane angular and linear displacement and the transverse plane angular displacement of subtalar joint movement. This method is combined with a modification of the Kirby method for determining the transverse plane projection of the subtalar joint axis onto the plantar foot. A mathematical model is then used to construct the subtalar joint axis into a three-dimensional linear equation.

Deep fascia of the foot. Anatomical and clinical considerations.

The deep fascia of the foot lies beneath the subcutaneous tissue and surrounds the intrinsic foot muscles. Depending on its location, the composition of the deep fascia varies. In some areas it is thin, while in other areas it is greatly thickened to form retinacula and the plantar aponeurosis.

Recombinant alpha-interferon and verruca plantaris. A review of the literature.

The authors review the literature and report the mechanisms of action, chemical properties, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, and clinical studies of recombinant alpha-interferon. The authors believe that clinical trials should be performed with recombinant alpha-interferon therapy on verruca plantaris to prove or disprove the effectiveness of interferon as a potential treatment modality for these commonly encountered lesions.

Formate metabolism in young swine.

Formate generated from methanol metabolism in vivo is the chemical entity responsible for the development of the methanol toxicity syndrome in the monkey. Compared to rats, monkeys are in a state of folate deficiency. This leads to a decreased ability to dispose of formate generated leading to its accumulation and the subsequent development of the classic symptoms of methanol toxicity.

Intramuscular hemangioma. Case report and literature review.

A case was presented in which a 28-year-old male presented with tenderness and stiffness in the posterior muscle group of his right leg. The patient's symptoms had been present intermittently for nearly 23 years. Recently, the pain had progressed to the point of limiting his normal daily activities.

Shock absorption.

Abnormal shock is a major cause of chronic and overuse injuries to all aspects of the lower extremity. The two major causes of abnormal shock are (1) decreased fat pad under the calcaneus and (2) dysfunction of the subtalar joint pronation mechanism during contact. Enough literature now exists to indicate that podiatrists should provide prophylactic therapy for patients that exhibit abnormal shock during contact before symptomatology in the lower extremity or spine exhibits itself.

Use of ceftazidime-impregnated polymethyl methacrylate beads in the treatment of Pseudomonas osteomyelitis.

Antibiotic-impregnated polymethyl methacrylate beads have been used in other countries to treat osteomyelitis. The drug of choice for this has historically been gentamicin. The authors have chosen ceftazidime to treat iatrogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa osteomyelitis in rabbit femurs.

Dorsal bunions: a review.

The authors present a review of the literature on dorsal bunion and describe its classification, etiology, predisposing factors, and different methods of treatment. The deformity is functionally limiting during ambulation and cosmetically undesirable for the patient. It is a progressively disabling deformity that requires surgical management.

Effects of fibrin sealant on the fixation of porous titanium and pyrolytic carbon implants.

The authors investigated the potential role the fibrin sealant system may portray in the fixation of osseous implants. The application of a layer of fibrin did not interfere with the fixation of osseous implants of either pyrolytic carbon or Biolite-coated porous titanium. A greater percentage of tissue ingrowth was observed in the porous titanium implants in the presence of the fibrin sealant system; however, no significant difference in the ultimate interfacial shear stress was observed.