By Ruth Folger Weiss

A few months after undergoing routine hip replacements, a number of patients of  a well known LA orthopedic surgeon started suffering from excruciating pains. The surgeon, Dr. Lawrence Dorr, was stymied until he discovered one factor they all had in common; the same replacement joint, manufactured by Zimmer Holdings, was implanted in all of them. Several needed to have their replacement replaced in another bout of surgery. When Zimmer was first contacted about this problem, they just brushed it off. It took a year of more complaints and pressure from doctors until they pulled this device off the market. In the interim many more patients unknowingly had their joints replaced with a faulty Zimmer “Durom Cup” with crippling results.

This upsetting scenario could have been avoided, and many patients could have been spared the agony, if the U.S. would have a Joint Registry in place. A Joint Registry is a national database that tracks the well being of patients with artificial hips and knees. Countries such as Australia, Britain, Norway and Sweden have such a system in place and the benefits are numerous. Tracking the success rates of the different joints available results in the faulty ones being pulled from the market much quicker. The registry data puts pressure on manufacturers to explain why their products perform poorly and the registry alerts surgeon to stop using flawed joints.

Monitoring devices like artificial joints supposedly falls under the domain of the The Food and Drug Administration but they are often overwhelmed by the vast number of products it monitors and because doctors often do not report problems.

Nearly one million hips and knees were replaced in the U.S. alone last year, about half of the world’s total. As the world’s leader in joint replacement, the U.S. should take the initiative and be the leader in follow-up too.  So far all efforts to establish a database here have failed due to the many hurdles, financial and practical, of our fragmented and decentralized health care system, as well as a lack of support from Medicare.

By Neil Bekker

Flip flops, the standard beachwear, are now the hottest form of footwear worn throughout the long hot summer days. They may be stylish, comfortable and cool, but wearing them all the time is a recipe for foot pain.

Since they offer no arch support, heel cushioning, or shock absorption, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) they should not be used for extensive walking or for playing sports. Wearers can suffer foot pain, tendinitis, and even sprained ankles if they trip, and are also at greater risk for stubbed toes, glass cuts, puncture wounds, or having a heavy object smash their foot due to their exposed toes.

People with diabetes should choose their footwear with care since any foot injury can become serious, even leading to amputation. They should be vigilant to have a protective covering on their toes and they should stay away from flip-flops and sandals.

Orthopedic surgeons  have treated many people who ran or jumped in flip-flops and suffered sprained ankles, fractures, and severe ligament injuries that required surgery. If you use your flip-flops to play Frisbee or backyard football you’re asking for trouble.

Insect and snake bites are another danger. Emergency room physicians on both sides of the country report seeing adults and children with snake bites to the feet while wearing flip-flops or sandals.

Flip flops are also a driving hazard. If they are loose enough to pop off your feet, you’re in trouble since they get stuck under the brake and gas pedal.

One more thing, when you do wear them – don’t forget to smear sunscreen on your exposed toes.