Podiatry Today Podcasts

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has transformed foot and ankle practice, but the biology of bone healing remains unchanged. In this sponsored episode of the Podiatry Today Podcast, host Dr. Jennifer Spector is joined by Bradley Abicht, DPM, FACFAS, to discuss how regenerative bone technologies are evolving alongside MIS techniques and what surgeons should consider when selecting products for modern foot and ankle procedures.

Dr. Abicht explores the role of osteoinductive and osteoconductive materials, why delivery method matters in minimally invasive surgery, and how injectable regenerative technologies may help address bone voids and support predictable healing while maintaining procedural efficiency. Drawing on his clinical experience with MIS bunion surgery and other foot and ankle procedures, he shares practical insights into integrating bone regenerative implants into today's surgical workflows.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why MIS has changed surgical technique—but not the biologic requirements for bone healing

Key characteristics to consider when evaluating bone regenerative technologies

The importance of precise delivery in minimally invasive procedures

Clinical considerations for managing bone voids during MIS bunion surgery

How regenerative technologies may fit into the future of foot and ankle surgery

This episode is supported by TheraMicro. Dr. Bradley Abicht discloses that he serves as a consultant to TheraMicro.

Subscribe to the Podiatry Today Podcast for expert interviews, practical surgical insights, and the latest developments in foot and ankle medicine. Visit PodiatryToday.com for additional podcasts, clinical articles, and educational resources.

What does successful limb salvage really look like outside of major academic medical centers?

In this episode of the Podiatry Today Podcast, host Dr. Jennifer Spector welcomes back Dr. Timothy Miller for a candid discussion on the realities of limb preservation in community-based podiatric practice. While limb salvage is often associated with large hospital systems and multidisciplinary academic programs, Dr. Miller explains how community podiatrists frequently serve as the true first line of defense for patients facing diabetic foot complications, ulcerations, infections, and risk of amputation.

Drawing from his experience as a fellowship-trained podiatrist and co-owner of Sunshine Foot and Ankle Experts in Orlando, Florida, Dr. Miller shares practical insights into coordinating multidisciplinary care with vascular surgery, infectious disease, endocrinology, primary care, wound care, orthotics, and social services — all while navigating the real-world barriers patients face outside of large institutions.

The conversation explores where limb salvage systems succeed, where they commonly break down, and why patient engagement, compliance, transportation, nutrition, family support, and longitudinal follow-up are just as critical as surgical or wound care expertise. Dr. Miller also discusses the podiatrist’s role as the “quarterback” of the care team and emphasizes that limb salvage is often a lifelong process of prevention, monitoring, and ongoing management.

How does your practice setting influence malpractice risk in podiatry? In this episode of the Podiatry Today Podcast, Dr. Jennifer Spector speaks with Dr. David Schweibish about how liability exposure can vary across private practice, hospital-employed roles, multispecialty groups, and outpatient or ASC environments.

Dr. Schweibish shares practical insights into the real drivers of malpractice claims, including documentation gaps, informed consent, communication breakdowns, patient non-compliance, and system-level risk management challenges. He also discusses how institutional protocols, peer review systems, and interdisciplinary communication can help mitigate liability while still preserving independent clinical judgment.

Regardless of practice setting, this conversation offers actionable guidance for reducing risk and strengthening patient care documentation.

Presented in partnership with the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

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Has surgery become the default approach for fifth metatarsal stress fractures—and should it be?

In this episode of the Podiatry Today Podcasts, Dr. Jennifer Spector welcomes back Dr. Patrick DeHeer, President of the American Podiatric Medical Association, to revisit the ongoing debate surrounding operative versus non-operative management of fifth metatarsal stress fractures.

The conversation takes a fresh turn with discussion of a 2023 randomized controlled trial comparing intramedullary screw fixation to high-energy shockwave therapy in competitive athletes. With similar healing rates, functional outcomes, and complication profiles—and even a faster return to play in the shockwave group—the findings challenge long-standing assumptions about surgical necessity.

Dr. DeHeer also provides critical context around study limitations, patient selection, and real-world barriers such as insurance coverage and access to advanced therapies. He shares practical insights on when surgery may still be appropriate, particularly in elite or highly active patients, and emphasizes the importance of long-term strategies like lateral column offloading to reduce refracture risk.

Key topics include:

Surgery vs non-surgical management of fifth metatarsal stress fractures

Shockwave therapy as an emerging alternative to fixation

Evidence from RCT data in athletic populations

Patient selection and real-world treatment considerations

Preventing recurrence through biomechanical offloading

This episode is essential listening for clinicians navigating evolving evidence in stress fracture management.

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Heel pain is one of the most common complaints in podiatric practice—but are clinicians sometimes oversimplifying the diagnosis?

In this episode of the Podiatry Today Podcasts, Dr. Jennifer Spector speaks with Dr. Patrick DeHeer, President of the American Podiatric Medical Association, about the complexities behind heel pain and why plantar fasciitis shouldn’t always be the default diagnosis.

Dr. DeHeer explores the critical role of equinus, noting its presence in the majority of plantar fasciitis cases, and emphasizes the importance of comprehensive treatment strategies. He also shares insights on when to reconsider your diagnosis, how to monitor patient progress effectively, and which “zebra” conditions—such as Baxter’s neuritis, calcaneal stress fractures, and referred pain—clinicians should keep on their radar.

Key topics include:

Why heel pain is a symptom—not a diagnosis

The overlooked importance of equinus in plantar fasciitis

Practical diagnostic tips, including tuning fork testing and nerve palpation

When to escalate care with imaging or advanced evaluation

Evidence-based treatment approaches, including steroid protocols and gastroc recession

If you treat heel pain, this episode will challenge your assumptions and sharpen your clinical approach.

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Medical and patient education continues to evolve—but one challenge remains constant: helping clinicians and patients retain and apply complex information effectively. In this episode, we explore gamification in healthcare, an emerging strategy that uses game-based elements like competition, rewards, and interactive challenges to enhance learning outcomes.

Dr. Robert Smith shares insights on how gamification can transform both clinical education and patient engagement. From residency training to patient communication, gamification offers a dynamic approach to improving retention, decision-making, and trust.

Key topics include:

What gamification is—and how it differs from serious games

Applications in clinical training, podiatry education, and interdisciplinary care

Benefits for patient education, communication, and adherence

Real-world examples, including escape rooms, puzzles, and digital tools

The role of gamification in public health, mental health, and digital therapeutics

Challenges and future opportunities in healthcare innovation

Whether you’re a clinician, educator, or healthcare leader, this discussion highlights how interactive learning strategies can improve outcomes and reshape the future of healthcare delivery.

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Artificial intelligence is rapidly entering clinical practice—but what does that actually look like in podiatric surgery?

In this episode of Podiatry Today Podcasts, Dr. Jennifer Spector speaks with Dr. David Yeager, Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery at Morrison Community Hospital, about how AI is beginning to shape surgical planning, workflow efficiency, and patient communication in foot and ankle care. From AI-assisted bunion correction visualization to emerging applications in Lapidus procedures, Dr. Yeager shares real-world insights from his own clinical experience.

The discussion explores how AI can enhance imaging interpretation, improve reproducibility in surgical outcomes, and streamline operative workflows—while still preserving the critical role of surgeon judgment. The conversation also addresses practical considerations, including patient perception, integration with EMR systems, and the evolving balance between technology and clinical decision-making.

Whether you're actively exploring AI tools or simply trying to understand where the field is heading, this episode offers a grounded, practical perspective on one of the most important emerging trends in podiatry.

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What does it really mean to “think like a surgeon” — even outside the operating room?

In this episode of the Podiatry Today Podcast, host Dr. Jennifer Spector sits down with board-certified, fellowship-trained podiatrist Dr. Timothy Miller to explore how surgical training influences everyday clinical decision-making, conservative care, and patient outcomes. Together, they discuss the balance between operative intervention and holistic patient management, the importance of long-term thinking in podiatric medicine, and how understanding when not to operate may be just as important as knowing when to intervene surgically.

Dr. Miller shares candid insights from residency training, private practice ownership, and resident education, highlighting how communication, patient compliance, family support systems, and realistic expectations all shape successful outcomes. The conversation also dives into common clinical scenarios including bunion deformities, recurrent ankle sprains, and the role of conservative therapy as both treatment and a predictor of postoperative success.

Whether you’re a podiatric physician, resident, student, or healthcare professional interested in clinical reasoning and patient-centered care, this episode offers practical insights into refining decision-making and improving outcomes through a thoughtful surgical mindset.

Haglund’s deformity surgery has traditionally required extensive open approaches with prolonged recovery and risk of wound complications. In this episode of the Podiatry Today Podcast, Dr. Scott Carrington discusses the evolution toward minimally invasive and ultra–minimally invasive (MIS) techniques, including percutaneous burr resection and tendon-preserving strategies. He shares insights on improved wound healing, reduced postoperative pain, earlier weightbearing, and how these approaches are changing patient selection and outcomes in modern foot and ankle surgery.

Supported by Aztron Medtech. For hands-on training, https://forms.gle/FLF1YWr7LwqaUDs46

Effective patient education in podiatry plays a key role in improving treatment adherence, surgical outcomes, and patient satisfaction. In this episode of the Podiatry Today Podcasts, Dr. Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, shares practical, real-world strategies for educating patients—especially when explaining complex conditions like diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, and surgical procedures.

Designed with clinicians in mind, this discussion focuses on how to simplify medical language without sacrificing accuracy, use visual aids to enhance understanding, and tailor communication to different learning styles. Dr. Daughtry also explains how tools like customized informed consent forms, diagrams, and patient handouts can reinforce education and reduce confusion.

Listeners will gain insight into how strong in-office education improves patient compliance, reduces medical-legal risk, and builds long-term trust. The episode also explores subtle but powerful techniques—like reading body language, encouraging questions, and involving caregivers—that can significantly enhance patient understanding.

Whether you’re new to practice or refining your communication approach, this episode provides actionable strategies to improve patient education and clinical outcomes in podiatry.