Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
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J Am Podiatr Med Assoc · Jan 2007
Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of sports injuries of the foot and ankle: a pictorial essay.
Magnetic resonance imaging is playing an increasingly important role in evaluation of the injured athlete's foot and ankle. Magnetic resonance imaging allows accurate detection of bony abnormalities, such as stress fractures, and soft-tissue abnormalities, including ligament tears, tendon tears, and tendinopathy. The interpreter of magnetic resonance images should systematically review the images, noting normal structures and accounting for changes in soft-tissue and bony signal.
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J Am Podiatr Med Assoc · Sep 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyAnalgesic efficacy of valdecoxib for acute postoperative pain after bunionectomy.
Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies assessed the analgesic efficacy of valdecoxib in patients with moderate-to-severe pain after bunionectomy. Study 1 (N = 374) assessed the efficacy of two regimens of valdecoxib on the day after surgery (valdecoxib, 40 mg, with a 20-mg redose [n = 127]; valdecoxib, 40 mg, with a placebo redose [n = 122]; and placebo/placebo [n = 125]), and study 2 (N = 478) examined the efficacy of two different multiple-dose regimens on postoperative days 2 through 5 (valdecoxib, 20 mg, twice daily [n = 160]; valdecoxib, 20 mg, once daily [n = 159]; and placebo [n = 159]). Valdecoxib provided significant pain relief and reduced the use of opioid rescue medication. This efficacy was accompanied by improved global scores, decreased pain interference with function, and increased patient satisfaction.
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J Am Podiatr Med Assoc · Jul 2006
ReviewA review of opioid analgesics frequently prescribed by podiatric physicians.
The unpleasant and subjective sensation resulting from a noxious sensory stimulus defines the phenomenon of pain. The podiatric physician is no stranger to the difficulties in achieving optimal pain therapy. Podiatric physicians must develop analgesic regimens to treat patients with acute, chronic, and postoperative pain. ⋯ The pharmacology of frequently prescribed opioids is introduced. Then, criteria for selecting appropriate opioid analgesics as found in the current medical literature are reported. Finally, a review of the literature describing legal and ethical considerations regarding the prescribing of opioid analgesics is presented.
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Acute rheumatic fever is a delayed inflammatory disease that follows streptococcal infection of the throat. Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis is a sterile arthritis associated with antecedent streptococcal infection in patients not fulfilling the Jones criteria for acute rheumatic fever. ⋯ A review of the literature, distinguishing poststreptococcal reactive arthritis from acute rheumatic fever, and treatment options are discussed here. A case report is also presented.
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J Am Podiatr Med Assoc · Mar 2006
Multicenter StudyThe physician's attire and its influence on patient confidence.
Although physician appearance has been a topic of discussion in the medical literature for many years, no objective research has been performed on this topic in the field of podiatric medicine. Our primary objective was to examine patient confidence in physicians as it relates to professional clinic attire versus casual or scrub outfits. We also assessed the influence of other variables, such as white coat, name tag, age, and sex, on patient confidence. ⋯ The results indicate that 68% of patients surveyed felt that professional attire inspired the most confidence. Ninety-six percent of all patients either preferred white coats or were indifferent to their presence. We conclude that professionally dressed podiatric physicians may inspire more confidence in a significant percentage of their patients.