Dr. Selene Parekh, an orthopedic surgeon at Duke Medical Center, always makes sure to put on his glasses before scrubbing in for surgery. These are not your typical glasses, however, but a pair of Google Glass—the camera- and monitor-wielding wearable computer. In a recent operation, Dr. Parekh had the voice-activated glasses video-record his progress as he repaired a broken metatarsal and drilled a metal plate into his patient’s foot.
Google Glass has been a regular feature of Dr. Parekh’s surgeries since the previous year, as he uses the Glass recordings to help educate orthopedic surgeons in India. The doctor’s future plans involve live-streaming his operations through Glass to his native country, where he reports foot and ankle surgery is behind the U.S. by four decades.
Other Glass features include the capacity to screen helpful medical images and video conference with colleagues mid-operation; this ensures that the operating surgeon will never have to turn away from his or her patient. Software developers have also created programs that will display patient vitals, lab results, and operation checklists, turning Glass into an all-inclusive medical dashboard.
Google Glass will surely bring forth great improvements in future surgical procedures. For some patients, however, surgery cannot wait. If you require surgical consultation, see Dr. Jeff Wachtel, D.P.M., of Wachtel Family Foot Care. Dr. Wachtel will provide you with the information and care you seek.
When is Surgery Necessary?
Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases where less invasive procedures have been unsuccessful. Conditions that often require surgery are listed below:
– Removing foot deformities like bone spurs and bunions
– Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
– Reconstruction for injuries caused by accidents or malformations
Types of Surgeries
The type of surgery you receive depends on the nature of the problem. Possible surgeries include the following:
– Bunionectomy for painful bunions
– Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
– Nerve removal for painful nerve endings
Benefits of Surgery
Surgery can provide more complete pain relief than other options and may allow you to finally resume full activity. Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.
If you have any questions, please contact our office located in Lansdale, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
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