Typically, the amount of mycotic nail involvement in onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nail)... more Typically, the amount of mycotic nail involvement in onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nail) before and after drug therapy is determined visually. Because there is an inherent element of subjectivity, it is difficult to accurately measure and compare results across clinical trials or to assess how much improvement has been achieved in response to therapy. We developed a simple tool for measuring mycotic nail involvement. This novel tool consists of a large grid containing 5 toenail templates of varying nail morphologies that are derived from the actual shape of the toenail of the great toe in several males and females, and one standardized computer-generated nail shape. The toenail templates are presented in 7 different sizes to match different nail sizes. Each toenail template is further divided into 8 segments, each comprising approximately 12.5% of the total nail surface. Measurement of the percentage of mycotic nail involvement is accomplished by the following procedure: (1) placing tracing film over the target toenail; (2) tracing the outline of the entire toenail, followed by tracing the affected portion of the toenail on the same film; (3) placing the tracing film over a nail template on the grid that best fits the shape of the toenail; and (4) counting the number of grid segments that correspond to 50% or more involvement. To assess feasibility, the tool was used in a large randomized trial involving over 30 sites and 500 subjects with onychomycosis. This tool is a more accurate and less biased alternative to visual assessment for measuring nail involvement or progression of nail clearing.
The clinical examination is the cornerstone for all diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. The per... more The clinical examination is the cornerstone for all diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. The pertinent components of the history and physical examination as they relate to diabetes are discussed in this article.
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 1997
Understanding the factors associated with pedal ulceration in patients with diabetes mellitus wil... more Understanding the factors associated with pedal ulceration in patients with diabetes mellitus will increase the successful management of the high-risk diabetic foot and decrease the occurrence of ulcerative events. The authors review the associative factors that have been shown to be involved with pedal ulceration.
Cellulitis occurring in the lower extremity is encountered frequently and results from a breach o... more Cellulitis occurring in the lower extremity is encountered frequently and results from a breach of the skin and inoculation of opportunistic bacteria. It has been shown that when web space dermatophytosis is present, changes may occur in normal skin morphology and bacterial flora that can result in severe infection. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of interdigital dermatophytosis allows the clinician to choose the most appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy when treating a secondarily caused cellulitis of the lower extremity.
CVA is a very common problem that can lead to lower extremity complications. Impairment in gait p... more CVA is a very common problem that can lead to lower extremity complications. Impairment in gait pattern occurs often due to spasticity and less frequently due to prolonged flaccidity. This problem is manifested by equinus, varus, equinovarus, and toe flexion deformities. Therefore, prevention or elimination of spasticity must be achieved. Various modalities have been used, both conservative and surgical. Nonsurgical interventions include range of motion and strengthening exercises, pharmacologic agents, local anesthetic and phenol motor point blocks, and the use of orthoses. Surgical intervention should be considered after conservative treatment has failed. The goal of treatment is to reduce the deforming force as a result of spasticity and to allow for almost normal function to be achieved. This includes tendon transfers, tendon lengthenings, tenotomies, and arthrodeses of small toe joints. Preoperatively, the extent and progression of spasticity must be determined because this may...
The results of the cadaver dissection show the importance of identifying the proper digital nerve... more The results of the cadaver dissection show the importance of identifying the proper digital nerve at the time of surgery. In all 20 cadaver dissections, the nerve crossed the first cuneometatarsal joint. Identification of this nerve, along with meticulous dissection may help prevent the formation of postoperative neuroma.
Typically, the amount of mycotic nail involvement in onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nail)... more Typically, the amount of mycotic nail involvement in onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nail) before and after drug therapy is determined visually. Because there is an inherent element of subjectivity, it is difficult to accurately measure and compare results across clinical trials or to assess how much improvement has been achieved in response to therapy. We developed a simple tool for measuring mycotic nail involvement. This novel tool consists of a large grid containing 5 toenail templates of varying nail morphologies that are derived from the actual shape of the toenail of the great toe in several males and females, and one standardized computer-generated nail shape. The toenail templates are presented in 7 different sizes to match different nail sizes. Each toenail template is further divided into 8 segments, each comprising approximately 12.5% of the total nail surface. Measurement of the percentage of mycotic nail involvement is accomplished by the following procedure: (1) placing tracing film over the target toenail; (2) tracing the outline of the entire toenail, followed by tracing the affected portion of the toenail on the same film; (3) placing the tracing film over a nail template on the grid that best fits the shape of the toenail; and (4) counting the number of grid segments that correspond to 50% or more involvement. To assess feasibility, the tool was used in a large randomized trial involving over 30 sites and 500 subjects with onychomycosis. This tool is a more accurate and less biased alternative to visual assessment for measuring nail involvement or progression of nail clearing.
The clinical examination is the cornerstone for all diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. The per... more The clinical examination is the cornerstone for all diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. The pertinent components of the history and physical examination as they relate to diabetes are discussed in this article.
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 1997
Understanding the factors associated with pedal ulceration in patients with diabetes mellitus wil... more Understanding the factors associated with pedal ulceration in patients with diabetes mellitus will increase the successful management of the high-risk diabetic foot and decrease the occurrence of ulcerative events. The authors review the associative factors that have been shown to be involved with pedal ulceration.
Cellulitis occurring in the lower extremity is encountered frequently and results from a breach o... more Cellulitis occurring in the lower extremity is encountered frequently and results from a breach of the skin and inoculation of opportunistic bacteria. It has been shown that when web space dermatophytosis is present, changes may occur in normal skin morphology and bacterial flora that can result in severe infection. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of interdigital dermatophytosis allows the clinician to choose the most appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy when treating a secondarily caused cellulitis of the lower extremity.
CVA is a very common problem that can lead to lower extremity complications. Impairment in gait p... more CVA is a very common problem that can lead to lower extremity complications. Impairment in gait pattern occurs often due to spasticity and less frequently due to prolonged flaccidity. This problem is manifested by equinus, varus, equinovarus, and toe flexion deformities. Therefore, prevention or elimination of spasticity must be achieved. Various modalities have been used, both conservative and surgical. Nonsurgical interventions include range of motion and strengthening exercises, pharmacologic agents, local anesthetic and phenol motor point blocks, and the use of orthoses. Surgical intervention should be considered after conservative treatment has failed. The goal of treatment is to reduce the deforming force as a result of spasticity and to allow for almost normal function to be achieved. This includes tendon transfers, tendon lengthenings, tenotomies, and arthrodeses of small toe joints. Preoperatively, the extent and progression of spasticity must be determined because this may...
The results of the cadaver dissection show the importance of identifying the proper digital nerve... more The results of the cadaver dissection show the importance of identifying the proper digital nerve at the time of surgery. In all 20 cadaver dissections, the nerve crossed the first cuneometatarsal joint. Identification of this nerve, along with meticulous dissection may help prevent the formation of postoperative neuroma.
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