Congratulations Dr. Christopher Hyer & the OFAC research team for winning 2 awards last weekend at the American Podiatric Medical Association meeting in Boston.

Dr. Hyer received a 2nd place award for Outstanding Poster (case studies/small research projects) Abstract for Retrograde TTC Fusion Nail: Utility Review and Examples of Deformity Correction, as well as, 3rd place award for Outstanding Poster (larger research studies/clinical trials) Abstract for The Effect of Recombinant Bone Morphogenetric Protein-2 in Revision Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis: Utilization of The RAIN Database.

Congratulations on the outstanding work and recognition from your peers.

OFAC LASER THERAPY OPEN HOUSE WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011, 5:30 –7PM

Come join physicians, staff, patients and friends of the Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center for an evening of information and conversation about treating and defeating toenail fungus – FDA approved laser therapy.

Highlights will include:

- An educational presentation by OFAC’s Christopher F. Hyer, DPM, from 6-6:30PM, sharing his insights into advances in the prevention and treatment of toenail fungus.

- Door prizes and giveaways throughout the evening.

- A grand prize drawing for a complete Toenail Fungus Laser Therapy treatment package valued at $700. You’ll receive an additional entry for every guest you bring, too.

- Special savings of $150* on a $700 Toenail Fungus Laser Therapy treatment package when you schedule your treatment package the night of the Open House.

RSVP TO LASER@ORTHOFOOTANKLE.COM BY MAY 20TH TO LEARN HOW TOE NAIL FUNGUS LASER THERAPY CAN HELP YOU FEE L GOOD ABOUT GOING BAREFOOT.

Sincerely,

The OFAC Team

* Special pricing for open house attendees is $550 for treatment package of two laser treatments.

Several members of the OFAC team were recently at the Annual Scientific Conference for the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  This prestigious conference hosts approximately 2000 foot and ankle surgeons from around the world to learn the latest techniques and information.

OFAC research was well represented at the conference with 18 scientific research posters and 2 research projects presented at the podium. Last year’s fellow, Dr J.George DeVries presented a groundbreaking study on predictive factors for below knee amputations in patients with Charcot ankle deformity. In fact, this research earned a 3^rd place award in the manuscript competition. Dr Bussewitz also presented his work on Structures at Risk with the Evan’s Osteotomy which generated a lot of interest from the audience.  In addition, a 2^nd place poster award was gained for important research using MRI to measure success of OCD drilling and microfracture.

Dr. Hyer was quite active at the meeting as a faculty member. He was faculty for the pre-conference cadaver workshop, training other surgeons on TTC fusion using retrograde nailing technique. On the main stage, he also gave presentations on ORIF of Lisfranc joint injuries, Salvage techniques for chronic Achilles disorders and also Autograft harvest techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgeries.

One of the highlights of the meeting for OFAC was getting together fellows from the past, present and future.  Overall, this conference was an exciting opportunity for OFAC to showcase some of our fantastic research on an international stage.

Congratulations to Dr. Lee, Dr. Berlet, Dr. Philbin, and Dr. Hyer who received the 2011 Arthritis Foundation Pioneers of Medicine Award last weekend at the Crystal Ball. It was a wonderful evening to celebrate the achievements of OFAC and raise money for the Central Ohio Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. The event raised over $200,000 for the Foundation.

We are very honored to be recognized by the Foundation. According to Dr. Berlet, “OFAC is one of the nations leaders in foot and ankle innovation and it is often said that we are better known nationally than in our own local community. It is rewarding to have recognition from our local community and even more special to have it done by the leaders of the Arthritis Foundation.”

What also made the evening so special to all of us “was to see the showing of support from our colleagues, staff,  and friends who were there to share the event with us”, says Dr. Hyer.  Thank you to everyone who attended and gave their support to the Foundation.

Dr. Lee is also very proud of the award, “It takes a team of dedicated caring professionals to deliver the highest level of care. Finally a group, rather than an individual, has been recognized for their mutual accomplishments upwards great patient care, research and education.”

The Crystal Ball was a night to remember for everyone and reassurance to our team to continue to deliver the highest quality of care for our patients. “We enjoy partnering with the Arthritis Foundation”, says Dr. Philbin, “to help educate, treat, and do research to benefit those who suffer from arthritis, is truly something we are all passionate about.”

Click here to see the video shown at the Crystal Ball about OFAC.

  One of the many challenging and complex problems our diabetic patients face is Charcot foot or neuroarthropathy. This condition creates destruction and collapse of the bones in the foot and can lead to amputations.

"Normal" foot on xray

“Charcot Foot” with joint dislocations

The physicians at OFAC  are skilled at this complex reconstructive surgery and are constantly developing and using new techniques to improve patient outcomes. Recently, Dr. Hyer is one of the first physicians in the world to utilize this innovative, new intramedullary compression device within the bones of the foot as part of this reconstruction. This new implant (called TarsX) provides a much stronger form of fixation compared to typical screws and plates that are used and should allow for better bone healing. 

Here is a video of technique on cadaver specimen (you’re warned!)

Case Presentation

This case has a typical pattern of midfoot joint destruction with severe foot deformity as a result.

Severe Charcot Midfoot deformity with planned correction

Reconstruction in process. Half of implants in.

Reconstruction and realignment finished. Complete implants in.

Implants in. Realigned foot and arch achieved.

  Please check back often for updates and new techniques such as this for these challenging cases.

Dr. Hyer

The physicians of OFAC recently had their research published in the peer-reviewed journal, Foot and Ankle Specialist. The article demonstrates a new method to correcting severe bunion deformities while safely allowing patients to ambulate much sooner. The procedure, called a Lapidus arthrodesis or fusion, typically required patients to be in a non-weight-bearing cast for at least 6 -8 weeks. New techniques and evidence documented in this study by OFAC has shown a higher healing rate than other published studies and with patients weight-bearing at 2 weeks after the surgery!

Severe Bunion Deformity

Severe Bunion Corrected with Modified Lapidus Technique

With this new technique, patients often can begin protected weight-bearing in a bunion boot walker around 10-12 days. This is an important advance as early weight bearing minimizes time lost from work, eases burdens onto family and friends and is overall much healthier for our patients. 

'Bunion Boot'- protects foot during early weight-bearing.

Not all bunions need to be fixed, but when they do, the physicians of OFAC have the expertise and experience to insure the solution is the right one for you.  I encourage everyone to ask questions, discuss with your doctor and understand what is being recommended and why.

One of our main tenets in practice is to continually educate and strive to improve. I am proud of the research and education efforts our team provides and am confident it is unmatched anywhere. Our new website allows us to quickly broadcast this new information as it becomes available, often before it is even in print.

Check back often as more and more of our work moves toward publication in leading medical journals.

Christopher F. Hyer, DPM, FACFAS

Co-Director, Foot and Ankle Fellowship, Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center, Westerville, Ohio

Trauma Section Editor, The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery

Editorial Board, Foot and Ankle Specialist