New Technology and Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery

Preface

Embracing New Technology and Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1650 Grand Concourse, 7th Floor, Bronx, NY 10457, USA

E-mail address: nealblitz@gmail.com

Neal M. Blitz, DPM, Guest Editor

The bulk of our surgical practices involves treating a handful of very common conditions. For the most part, surgeons treat each condition in a rather algorithmic cookie-cutter fashion. There is a tendency to treat most things the same way.

Surgeons may choose “new” procedures that may be considered controversial. But what makes a procedure or technique controversial? New procedures and techniques are often labeled “controversial” because of a lack of follow-up. Interestingly, surgeons adopting new procedures and/or implants are not necessarily considered controversial; rather, they may be seen as contemporary and innovative by patients and their peers.

There are some surgeons who are early adopters of technology and new techniques. Others prefer a “wait-and-see” approach. And there are those surgeons that have their “bags of tricks” and will not modify their practice habits whatsoever.

There is a natural progression for new technology/procedures to become mainstreamed. Change may not be easily accepted, and this sparks controversy and debate. With growing acceptance of new technology, research and medical papers emerge either validating or discrediting the concepts. This Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery highlights several clinical controversies that exist in foot and ankle surgery today.

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