Podiatry/Podiatric Surgery Inpatient/Outpatient Rotation in Houston, Texas
Attending Introduction
From your attending: I have been in private practice for over 24 years and presently still an attending at a surgical residency program where we constantly teach residents in both the surgical and clinical environment. Day to day will include patient encounters and sometimes observing in the OR during surgeries. We will also go to outpatient hospitals and surgery center settings.
A car is advisable as Houston has poor public transportation. Average patient load is between 35-40 patients on a full day and 20-25 on half days and surgery almost every day around 7:00am and again at lunchtime.
Rotation Description
Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis:
- History-Taking: Students will learn to take detailed patient histories, focusing on symptoms related to foot and ankle pain, gait issues, or skin and nail conditions.
- Physical Examination: Students will practice performing comprehensive foot exams, which may include assessing range of motion, checking for structural deformities, palpating for tenderness, and examining skin, nails, and circulation.
- Use of Diagnostic Tools: Exposure to diagnostic tools like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans to identify fractures, soft tissue injuries, and degenerative changes. They may also use Doppler ultrasound to assess vascular health.
Common Conditions Treated:
- Biomechanical Issues: Students will learn to diagnose and manage common foot deformities like flat feet, high arches, and bunions, as well as conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and metatarsalgia.
- Diabetic Foot Care: Special attention is given to managing diabetic foot complications, such as neuropathy, ulcers, infections, and Charcot foot. Students will learn to perform thorough foot checks, wound care, and preventive measures to avoid amputation.
- Dermatological Issues: Training in diagnosing and treating skin conditions like fungal infections (athlete’s foot), warts, corns, calluses, and ingrown toenails is common.
- Trauma and Sports Injuries: Students will work on cases involving ankle sprains, fractures, ligament injuries, and stress fractures. This includes learning rehabilitation protocols and preventive care.
Surgical Exposure:
- Surgical Procedures: Students will observe and sometimes assist in common podiatric surgeries, such as bunionectomy, hammertoe correction, Achilles tendon repair, and fracture fixations. Depending on the level of the student, they may help with suturing, wound management, and applying dressings.
- Pre- and Postoperative Care: They will be involved in preoperative patient assessments, including obtaining informed consent, as well as postoperative care like wound checks, removing sutures, and ensuring proper healing.
- Conduct a full podiatric exam, assess biomechanics, and develop treatment plans.
- Identify and manage common foot and ankle conditions both conservatively and surgically.
- Understand the role of podiatry in managing systemic diseases like diabetes.
- Demonstrate competence in wound care and surgical procedures under supervision.
- Work within an interdisciplinary team to provide comprehensive patient care.
Typical Activities/Procedures
Nail Avulsion (Ingrown Toenail Removal)
Wart Removal
Bunionectomy
Hammertoe Correction
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
Fracture Fixation (Foot and Ankle)
Achilles Tendon Repair
Debridement of Ulcers
Neuroma Excision (Morton’s Neuroma)
Ankle Sprain Treatment
Orthotic Prescriptions and Fitting
Foot and Ankle Arthroscopy
Tendon Transfer Surgery
Cyst or Ganglion Removal
Letter of Recommendation
LORs are on the official clinic letterhead. You may also ask the attending to include hospital affiliations on your LOR, and you can also mention them on your CV and Personal Statement.
Location & Schedule
*Exact address provided once signed up.
*Schedules change often and we recommend speaking with the office manager to have the most updated daily scheduling.
