We just finished our tenth annual Desert Foot Conference in Phoenix this November and it was another successful event. We had record attendance with 12 Workshops, Breakfast and Dinner Sponsored Symposiums, and a new Debridement Workshop that went over quite well indeed. Of course, the scientific program was the main event. However, we also had nearly 60 scientific posters dealing with many wound care innovations, surgical procedures and complications, as well as a number of posters demonstrating the management of a variety of diabetic lower extremity complications. You can actually go to our website to view the posters. Many of the posters were presented by Residents who entered into an abstract competition judged by Dr Chuck Andersen and his committee. The first place prize ($1000) was awarded to Nicole Nicolosi, DPM from the Cleveland Clinic/Kaiser Permanente Program, entitled “Evaluation of Hallux Interphalangeal Joint Arthroplasty in Comparison to Non-operative Treatment for Recalcitrant Hallux Ulcerations: A Retrospective Review”. (Figure 1)
Figure 1
Resident Poster Winners with Dr. Andersen |
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Nonetheless, the main program is what draws most of our attendees as it does for most conferences. Day 1 was a potpourri of lectures on wound healing and multiple new wound healing technologies presented by physicians very experienced with these technologies. On the second day, aside from more lectures on wound care, venous disease, arterial diseases, and many hands on Workshops, we were very pleased to have the keynote Paul Brand Memorial Lecture delivered by Dr. William Jeffcoate from Nottingham, UK. His lecture was entitled “The Diabetic Foot Syndrome - A British Perspective”. (Figure 2)
Figure 2
Dr Frykberg Presenting Dr. Jeffcoate with the Paul Brand Memorial Lecture Award |
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This was a wonderful review of the development of diabetic foot care in the UK and Dr. Jeffcoate’s career working within the British National Health System – certainly food for thought as we wade through similar waters in our own country. The final day was packed with lectures on a variety of wound care topics, osteomyelitis, tinea pedis, footwear therapies, weight-bearing Computed Tomography, Charcot foot, and numerous lectures on surgical approaches for diabetic foot deformities and ulcers. Particularly interesting were discussions of tendon balancing procedures to address such disorders as an alternative to primary osseous procedures. While not new concepts, Dr Monroe LaBorde (New Orleans, LA) stated that he actually learned this approach from Dr Paul Brand years ago. Again, food for thought to expand our usual armamentarium of surgical procedures in the management of these difficult disorders.
As Residents, I think opportunities to listen to world renowned speakers, experts in their field, and to have the ability to highlight your work in the form of poster presentations are invaluable elements of your training. We’ve mentioned before the need to stay abreast of new developments in your profession- after all, learning becomes a lifetime pursuit. Perhaps the icing on the cake for our meetings, so to speak, is that we offer free tuition to all Residents (and feed you well- very well). Deals like that are short lived in your careers, so it is really up to you to take advantage of these opportunities and actively participate in your education. Learn from the Masters, engage them in thoughtful discussions, and enjoy the opportunity to learn in such a collegial atmosphere.
We hope to see you at next year’s Desert Foot in Phoenix!
Robert Frykberg, DPM, MPH
PRESENT Editor
Diabetic Limb Salvage
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