Toronto podiatrist lectures on bunion surgery at international meeting In New Orleans

From June 20 until June 22, I attended the spring meeting of the Academy of Ambulatory Foot and Ankle Surgery, in New Orleans Louisiana. I was the only podiatrist from Toronto at the conference.

I had the honor of lecturing to podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons from various parts of the United States, Canada, Europe, and Africa. I spoke on the Minimally Invasive Technique for Bunions called the modified Wilson bunionectomy. I have been performing this bunion surgery procedure in my podiatry office in Toronto for more than 30 years.

I explained to the attendees that the procedure could be performed under local anesthetic through very small openings in skin. This is accomplished using specialized instruments and results in much less soft tissue trauma. In most cases, this results in less postoperative pain and swelling and a quicker return to normal activities. Casts are not necessary and most patients do not require crutches or pain medication stronger than aspirin or ibuprofen.

I was also able to attend other lectures on Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery including the treatment of Hammertoes Corns and Bone Spurs

I also had the privilege of demonstrating the procedures to fellow foot surgeons in the laboratory.

I enjoyed three lovely dinners with my colleagues at famous New Orleans restaurants including an excellent steak dinner at Dickey Brennan's, as well as fish dinners at Darnaud's and Brossards.

On Sunday, I had an opportunity to do a short tour of the city before catching my plane back to Toronto. This was my first opportunity to see parts of the city, other than French quarter. It was entertaining and informative.

When I came home, I discovered that I was only Canadian podiatrist invited to lecture at the Federation of International Podiatrists meeting  which will be held in Rome, Italy in October 2013. I discuss that in a future blog.