of the Ankle and Foot

Preface

Arthroscopy of the Ankle and Foot

Private Practice, 3808 Hackamore Lane, Richmond, VA 23233, USA

E-mail address: lgrubin@comcast.net

Arthroscopy of the ankle and foot is one of the more innovative forms of arthroscopic surgery of the human body. In its infancy, it was a more direct, but awkward diagnostic tool. It has become a mainstay in the field of foot and ankle surgery, and it continues to progress on an ongoing basis. Arthroscopic ankle fusions are becoming more commonplace and we are now able reduce fractures with less invasive techniques using arthroscopy. Similarly, arthroscopy of the foot is now becoming more established. Surgeons are routinely performing arthroscopic procedures of the subtalar and the first metatarsal phalangeal joints. The continued improvements of the medical equipment, along with the advancement in techniques and education in our profession, will lead to further development of this field of surgery.

I had the privilege of training with Harold Vogler, who coauthored the first article on ankle arthroscopy in our literature, and John Stienstra, a true pioneer in the field of ankle arthroscopy. It was their mentoring that encouraged me to develop my skills as an arthroscopist. During my tenure over the last thirteen years as a faculty member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons course in arthroscopy of the ankle and foot, I was able to share the podium with some of the most experienced and technically proficient foot and ankle surgeons in the country. It was those individuals that I asked to author articles for this edition. I would like to thank them for generously donating their time and expertise.

The authors of this Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery edition were asked to take the reader from the basics of equipment and technique to some of the most current procedures being performed today. Some of the authors were asked to give their incomparable experience in the more traditional pathologic conditions that foot and ankle surgeons are likely to encounter, while others were teamed up to provide a vast array of experience from multiple points of view. I hope that this edition provides the reader with a thorough and informative Arthroscopy of the Ankle and Foot edition of Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery.

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