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Innovative Solutions for the Business of Health Care Akron n Cleveland n Lorain County n www.brouse.com The challenges faced by health care providers may also be opportunities for growth and prosperity. This requires a comprehensive knowledge of the law, and a clear understanding of health care as a business. Brouse understands the operations, market trends and economics of the health care industry. It's more than legal advice, it's a business solution. For more information, please contact: Daniel Glessner, Esq., Practice Chair 330.535.5711 x316 | dglessner@brouse.com Christopher Huryn, Esq., Partner 330.535.5711 x389 | churyn@brouse.com David Schweighoefer, Esq., Partner 216.830.6830 x277 | dschweighoefer@brouse.com J. Ryan Williams, Esq., Partner 216.830.6830 x592 | rwilliams@brouse.com DIGITAL DEFORMITIES, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS HAMMERTOES, CONTINUE TO BE ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CONDITIONS FOOT AND ANKLE SURGEONS TREAT. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT NEARLY HALF OF ALL FOREFOOT SURGICAL PROCEDURES ARE CENTERED AROUND DIGITAL DEFORMIT Y CORRECTION. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT ABOUT 20% OF THE UNITED STATES POPUL ATION DE VELOPS A DIGITAL DEFORMIT Y, WITH PEAK INCIDENCES IN THE 6TH AND 7TH DECADES. WOMEN ARE NEARLY 5 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DE VELOP DIGITAL DEFORMITIES THAN MEN, AND SHOEšWEARING SOCIETIES DEMONSTRATE A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RATE OF DEFORMIT Y PROGRESSION. CORRECTION OF DIGITAL DEFORMITIES in the 21st Century BY DUANE J. EHREDT JR., DPM, A ACFAS LESSER DIGITAL ARTHRODESIS procedures continue to be one of the most utilized techniques when treating these painful conditions. This technique was origina lly described by Soule in 1910 and later refined by Taylor with the addition of Kirschner-Wire fixation for added stability in 1940. K-Wire fixation has been the "gold standard" for surgeons for nearly a century, due to the wide availability, relative ease of use and low cost. Unfortunately, results have been at times unpredictable with complications ra ng ing from loosening a nd brea king of ha rdwa re, to pin-track infection, a nd non-union. These complications, coupled with patient fears and anxiety concern- ing externa l hardware and subsequent remova l, have pushed the industry to develop digita l implants designed to achieve digita l arthrodesis while utilizing an "a ll-inside" technique. Unfortunately, this push has led to over 60 di¥erent implant options available today, with very little if any evidence based guidelines regarding implant use, safety and e£cacy. In addition, the cost of these devices can at times near $1,000 per implant. Continued on Page 25 M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S C L E V E L A N D /A K R O N / C A N T O N n J U LY/A U G U S T 2 016 1 3 C L I N I C A L S E C T I O N : P O D I A T R Y 1 3