Most of the criticism around here is from older pods who don't have the surgical training to perform these types of operations.
This is one of the most ridiculous comments I've ever read on this forum. Is this comment based on your "years" of experience? Just exactly what "facts" did you use to formulate your ridiculous comment?
The criticism regarding "cosmetic" foot surgery has absolutely nothing to do with "older" pods or training. The surgical procedures that were performed in the video were simple procedures that have been performed for many, many years with no "secret new technology".
That's exactly part of the SCAM. There is no new technology. These doctors are simply performing bunionectomies, bunionectomies with osteotomies, arthroplasties to "shorten and narrow" toes, etc. They aren't performing any rocket science or ground-breaking surgical procedures. So don't kid yourself and don't insult any "older" pods, especially in your early years of training.
The guys that are performing these procedures are performing these procedures for ONE simple reason. That reason is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
If the same patient in that video simply walked into a pods office and said her feet HURT and that her bunion and hammertoes were painful and that DPM discussed conservative options, (change of shoes, NSAID's, injections, etc.,) and exhausted those conservative options, this patient's insurance would have simply paid for the surgical procedures.
However, most insurance companies would have paid between $700-$1000 maximum for the bunionectomy/osteotomy and a couple of hundred dollars for the arthroplasty.
But, this doctor calls the SAME procedure "cosmetic", convinces the patient it's a "unique" surgery and then has the balls to ask for $10,000.
Most importantly, if this patient came into my office and had NO pain, I wouldn't recommend she have surgery. Following the surgery, there is ALWAYS the possibility that this patient can end up with more pain post operatively than she did pre op (since she had no pre op pain).
I don't believe it's ethical to change a foot shape to fit a shoe, I think it's my duty to teach a patient why it's important to find a shoe that fits the foot.
I've seen many of the "cosmetic" foot surgery patients in my office following not so great results by other doctors. These patients are VERY upset and VERY unhappy. Most if not all of these patients were never told that there was a possibility that they could end up with an ugly scar, painful scar, painful deformity, chronic pain, chronic swelling, need for additional surgery, inability to wear the intended shoe due to chronic pain/swelling, etc. The results aren't always "ideal". There are even law firms advertising for clients that have had "cosmetic" foot surgery.
And to return to your earlier comment about the criticism being from the "older" pods that weren't trained, I just thought I'd educate you that the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons, the group that represents some of the BEST trained DPM's surgically, has taken and published the position that they do not recommend cosmetic foot surgery (are they "old pods" that aren't well trained???)
ACFAS Position Statement on Cosmetic Surgery
The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons promotes the highest standards and ethics of foot and ankle surgery. Members of the College have extensive training and experience in surgical procedures performed for relief of pain, restoration of function, and reconstruction of deformities of the foot and ankle.
All surgery carries risks, and these risks are of increased importance when they have the potential to affect the individual's ability to lead an active life, as they do with surgery of the foot and ankle. Patients considering surgery of the foot or ankle and their surgeons must thoroughly discuss and weigh the risks and benefits of the procedure.
Surgery performed solely for the purpose of improving the appearance or size of the foot or ankle carries risks without medical benefit, and therefore should not be undertaken.
February 2004
And the American Academy of Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgeons, (I believe they also qualify as well trained don't you?) has published a statement AGAINST cosmetic foot surgery.
I believe I've made my point(s).
