A study published in Foot & Ankle International, the official scientific journal of the American
Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, describes a possible amputation alternative for patients with neuropathic ulceration of the big toe joint. The findings are noteworthy as diabetes is the leading cause for nonaccident/injury leg and foot amputations among U.S. adults, with more than 60,000 lower extremity amputations performed annually.

The current state of our economy has raised questions about whether today’s kids will be better or worse off than their parents. But, as a physician and father, I question whether they will be healthy enough to even live longer than their parents. Today, more physicians than ever are treating children for adult diseases like diabetes, hypertension and even heart disease. So, we should be equally concerned about the future of their health as we are about their wealth.