Podiatry Commons^™

The Association Between Glp-1 Receptor Agonist Use And Gastroparesis In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Scoping Review, Daniela Lizbeth Avilez, Amanda Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Poster Category:  Non-sponsored

Level of Evidence:  Level V

Introduction:  GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), widely used for glycemic control and weight management in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), slow gastric motility.

Reports of “gastroparesis” in GLP-1 RA users raise the question whether this reflects reversible pharmacologic effects or true diabetic autonomic neuropathy. This distinction matters for podiatric physicians, as gastroparesis indicates systemic autonomic dysfunction that parallels peripheral neuropathy, impaired wound healing, and heightened foot ulcer risk. Most prior studies rely on symptoms rather than validated gastric emptying (GE) measures.

Aim:  To evaluate the association between GLP-1 RA use and gastroparesis …

Screw Diameter And Healing Outcomes In Jones Fractures: A Scoping Review, Merlin Sajeev, Jessica Sima, Srilalitha Lanka, Amanda Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Introduction: Jones fractures occur at the metaphyseal–diaphyseal junction of the fifth metatarsal and are prone to delayed or nonunion due to limited perfusion and high mechanical stress. Intramedullary (IM) screw fixation is the standard operative treatment, yielding higher union rates than conservative management. There is no clear consensus on the influence of screw size on healing outcomes.

Aim: To examine the impact of IM screw diameter on union rates in Jones fracture fixation.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using Google Scholar and PubMed with the search term: “"Screw" AND "Diameter" AND "Union" AND "Jones Fractures"”. Articles published between 2015 …

Evaluating Trending Topics Published In The Journal Of Foot And Ankle Surgery, Sarah Weisbrodt, Asad Mustafa, Demian Rodriguez, Naohiro Shibuya

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Introduction: As the field of podiatry advances, it is valuable to identify the areas of research that receive the greatest focus. Evaluating popular topics published in podiatric medicine and surgery peer-reviewed journals helps us consider current trends in procedures, surgeon preferences, and current interest in our profession.

Aim: To evaluate current trends in podiatric medicine and surgery through compiling topics published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery (JFAS) and their frequency.

Methods: JFAS was selected for our analysis as it has the highest impact factor out of the indexed journals in our profession. We used Scopus to identify …

Tissue-Like Fracture Toughness And Stress–Relaxation Ability In Pva-Agar-Based Hydrogels For Biomedical Applications, Ismael Lamas Jr., Bhuvana L. Chandrashekar, Cláudia C. Biguetti, Mohammad R. Islam

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Soft tissues exhibit remarkable stretchability, fracture toughness, and stress–relaxation ability. They possess a large water content to support cellular processes. Mimicking such a combination of mechanical and physical properties in hydrogels is important for tissue engineering applications but remains challenging. This work aims to develop a hydrogel that can combine excellent mechanical properties with cellular viability. The research focused on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/agar double-network (DN) hydrogels, fabricated by thermal gelation and freeze–thawing methods. Their mechanical properties were characterized through tension, compression, fracture, and stress–relaxation tests, and their cellular viability was measured through cytotoxicity tests. The results show that the PVA/agar …

Actin Up And Factor’D In: ​ A Pediatric Spindle Cell Lesion Case Presentation, Michael Higham, Stephanie Campbell, Naomie Jean, Amanda Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Introduction: Solitary spindle cell nodules on the foot in pediatric patients are rare and diagnostically challenging. Dermatofibroma (benign fibrous histiocytoma), a common adult dermal lesion, is infrequently observed in children under 18.

The spectrum of pediatric spindle cell tumors includes reactive entities like nodular fasciitis and dermatomyofibroma, benign neoplasms such as myofibroma, and malignant tumors including spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). Accurate differential diagnosis is essential, as DFSP requires wide excision or Mohs surgery to reduce recurrence risk.

Methods (Case Presentation): An 11-year-old boy presented with a one-year history of a non-healing lesion on the heel, initially …

Effect Of Gait Retraining In Minimalist Footwear Or Barefoot On Running Footstrike And Cadence: A Systematic Review, John Desrochers, Alexis Chow, David Rubin, Altamash Raja

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Gait retraining programs take a structured approach to altering a runner's gait, often with the goal of decreasing footstrike angle and increasing cadence, as these outcomes have been correlated to a reduced rate of injury and optimal performance. Minimalist footwear, or running barefoot entirely, has been explored as a tool for gait adjustment in runners, largely due to the increased feedback from ground forces experienced by the runner. This systematic review aims to decipher the effect of gait retraining with minimalist footwear or barefoot running on footstrike angle and cadence. The comparison group included runners that underwent gait retraining in …

Chronic Lower Extremity Anomalies: Impact Of Diabetic Induced Foot Amputations On Human Locomotion, Anthony Arnoldo Melgar

Theses and Dissertations

This research aims to understand the physiological changes that the human body undergoes post partial foot amputation (PFA). A total of three studies were conducted to fully comprehend biomechanical changes and adjustments that occur during locomotion for affected individuals. The first study of this thesis focuses on obtaining kinematic data for both the ankle joint angle and ankle joint torque for the healthy population, as well as for the affected PFA population. Results were compared, and notable differences were present between the two. The second study of this thesis dealt with individual muscle forces. To obtain the muscle force data, …

Il-17a Immune Signature Across Stratified Stages Of Type 2 Diabetes​, Brittney C. White, Antonio Hernandes Chaves-Neto, Peter Elvin, Javier La Fontaine, Eric L. Brown, Walid Fakhouri, Craig Hanis, Claudia Biguetti

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Purpose: This study investigated whether IL-17A, a pro-inflammatory cytokine associated with Th17 cell activity, reflects distinct stages of type 2 diabetes progression.

Methods: Forty-two obese individuals (average age: 60.4 ± 10.3 years; 55% male; BMI: 31.3 ± 4.9) from Starr County, Texas, were matched for gender and BMI and stratified into five metabolic groups based on fasting blood glucose, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test, and HbA1c levels. Groups included diabetes-free, isolated impaired glucose tolerance, combined glucose impairment, diabetes without complications, and diabetes with lower extremity complications. IL-17A protein levels were quantified from buffy coat samples using ELISA. After excluding …

Comparison Of Recurrence Rates In Chemical Matricectomy With Phenol And Nail Bracing: A Scoping Review, Jessica Sima, Amanda Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Introduction: Ingrown toenails are one of the most common nail conditions and are usually treated with chemical matricectomy using phenol (CMP). However, this procedure is often contraindicated in patients with diabetes mellitus or peripheral vascular disease. Orthonyxia, or nail braces application, is a non-invasive alternative treatment for ingrown toenails. The nail braces are spring wires with one side shaped into a hook that is placed under one side of the nail, and the other side attached to a plastic pad that is glued to the nail plate. The braces retain the normal shape of the nails without removing them, allowing …

Beyond The Bone: A Misdiagnosis Of Paget’S Disease Reveals Polyostotic Mazabraud Syndrome, Michael Higham, Stephanie Campbell, Amanda Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Introduction: Mazabraud Syndrome is a rare benign condition characterized by polyostotic fibrous dysplasia and intramuscular myxomas. Due to its overlapping radiographic features, it is frequently misdiagnosed. We present a case where Mazabraud Syndrome was misdiagnosed as Paget’s disease for nearly 6 decades.

Case Presentation: A 59-year-old woman presented to the podiatry clinic with complaints of numbness and sharp pain of the left foot while in stance. Her surgical history is positive for numerous lower extremity myxomas excised over her lifetime, beginning in adolescence, and now with non-mobile soft tissue mass at the porta pedis of the left foot for 1 …

The Infected Diabetic Foot: Bacteraemia And Endocarditis Complicating Moderate And Severe Foot Infections, Mario C Reyes, Arthur N Tarricone, Mathew J Sideman, Michael C Siah, Bijan Najafi, Edgar J G Peters, Lawrence A Lavery

Center on Aging Staff Publications

To identify the incidence of blood stream infections (BSIs) and endocarditis in patients with diabetic foot infections (DFIs), risk factors and clinical outcomes. A post hoc analysis of 280 patients using pooled patient level data from three RTCs. Blood cultures were drawn at time of admission for DFI. Deep intraoperative cultures were obtained from infected foot wounds. Data from the 12-month follow-up were used to determine clinical outcomes. 77.1% (N = 216) had blood cultures of which 15.7% (n = 34) had BSI. One patient (3.3%) had endocarditis. Risk factors for BSI included Charcot Neuroarthropathy history (20.6% vs. 7.1%, p …

The Dialysis Foot- The Impact Of Presenting Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate On Clinical Outcomes In Patients Hospitalized With Diabetic Foot Infections, Arthur Tarricone, Tyler L Coye, Allen Gee, Bijan Najafi, Michael C Siah, Lawrence A Lavery

Center on Aging Staff Publications

To evaluate the association between presenting estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with diabetic foot infections. This retrospective cohort study included 344 patients with moderate to severe diabetic foot infections. Patients were categorized into three groups based on presenting estimated eGFR: eGFR ≥60 (eGFR >60 mL/min), eGFR 30-60 (eGFR 30-60 mL/min) and eGFR < 30 (eGFR < 30 mL/min). Outcomes assessed included wound healing, time to heal, re-infection, amputation, mortality and re-hospitalization for infection. Compared with patients with eGFR < 30, patients with eGFR ≥60 had significantly lower rates of retinopathy, peripheral arterial disease and use of beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Glycated haemoglobin levels were inversely related to eGFR, decreasing as eGFR severity increased. Haemoglobin levels were significantly lower, and inflammatory markers (ESR and CRP) were significantly higher in patients with eGFR < 30. There were no significant differences among eGFR groups in rates of wound healing, time to heal, re-infection or amputation. However, mortality increased with decreasing eGFR (1.9% in eGFR ≥60 vs. 3.2% in eGFR 30-60 vs. 8.1% in eGFR < 30; p = 0.04). Similarly, re-hospitalization for infection at a different site also increased with decreasing eGFR (20.5% in eGFR ≥60 vs. 28.1% in eGFR 30-60 vs. 48.4% in eGFR < 30; p <  0.01). In diabetic foot infections, presenting eGFR severity did not affect rates of wound healing, time to heal, re-infection or amputation. However, decreasing eGFR was associated with increased mortality and re-hospitalization for infection at a different site. In this study, presenting eGFR was not a predictive value for wound healing or time until healing, however was associated with rehospitalization and overall mortality this diabetic foot population.

Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing Time With Silver Alginate Dressing: A Scoping Review, Srilalitha Lanka, Merlin Sajeev, Jessica Sima, Amanda Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are slow-healing wounds that can lead to serious complications. Choosing the right dressing is important for improving healing. Silver alginate dressings are commonly used because they help fight infection and may promote faster recovery. This scoping review examines existing research on the effect of silver alginate dressings on DFU healing time.

Method: A literature search was conducted using Google Scholar and PubMed with the search terms: ““Diabetic foot ulcer” AND "wound healing" AND “silver Dressing” AND "alginate"” and “Diabetic foot ulcer AND wound healing AND silver Dressing AND alginate”, respectively. Articles published between 2005 and …

From Likes To Insights: Perceptions Of Peripheral Nerve Surgery On Tiktok, Madeleine G. Mehaffey, Nicholas Obias, James Hughes, John Gouin

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Introduction: Peripheral nerve surgery is a therapeutic modality for many diagnoses, such as nerve compression syndromes, peripheral neuropathy, and neuroma. In response to the increasing number of people seeking health information on social media, this study explores public perceptions of peripheral nerve surgery on the social media platform TikTok (1). Conclusions from this study may provide insight to medical personnel looking to use social media to improve patient education.

Methods: A new TikTok account was used to search “Peripheral Nerve Surgery.” The top 25 posts, including sponsored advertisements, were analyzed based on number of likes and comments, relevance, type, authorship, …

Evaluation Of Wound Dehiscence Rate Between Total Ankle Replacement (Tar) And Ankle Arthrodesis (Aa): A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Asad Mustafa, Sarah Weisbrodt, Naohiro Shibuya

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Introduction

Total ankle replacement (TAR) and ankle arthrodesis (AA) are surgical interventions used for patients with degenerative ankle arthritis. Historically, AA has been the standard treatment for ankle arthritis; however, in recent years, TAR has become just as popular, if not more so. The TARVA study, a randomized controlled trial examining the outcomes of each procedure for a population with end-stage osteoarthritis, reports similar results between the two procedures, except that TAR may have a higher incidence of wound dehiscence. TAR typically requires a larger incision than AA, which may influence patient selection for the procedure. However, data from the …

Diabetic Foot Ulcer Recurrence In Hispanic Americans: A Growing Concern, Daniela Lizbeth Avilez, Amanda Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent a critical public health concern among Hispanic populations, contributing significantly to healthcare disparities and an elevated risk of amputations. Although Hispanic Americans account for 11.7% of the U.S. population with diabetes, they experience disproportionately higher rates of DFUs and amputations compared to non-Hispanic White individuals. Additionally, Hispanic adults exhibit lower rates of attempted revascularization, which exacerbates their susceptibility to severe complications. As the Hispanic population continues to grow, particularly in Texas, addressing DFU recurrence is crucial for improving clinical outcomes and reducing health inequities. This review evaluates evidence on DFU recurrence within Hispanic populations. …

Complete Closure Of Chronic Ankle Ulcerations In The Presence Of Lymphadema With Use Of Adipose Stem Cell Injectable Allograft, A Case Report, Orlexia Thomas Dpm, Francois M. Lokenye Dpm, Jasmine Sheikh Bs, Lady Paula Dejesus Dpm, Facfas, Facpm, Dwsp

Posters

This case illustrates the promising role of adipose stem cell injectable allografts in the management of complex chronic wounds, particularly in patients presenting with lymphedema and fat pad atrophy.

Limbgod(Pat. Pending): Wearable Garment For Amputation Prevention, Naomi Choi Dpm, Mba, Phuc An Dinh Bs, Ms, Eric Lee Bs, Francois M. Lokenye Dpm

Posters

Approximately 1.6 million people in the U.S. have lower limb amputations, which is expected to double by 2050 (Wong et al.). Socio-economic factors: income, education, rural residency & race, impact amputation risk (Okesina et al.), with Black Americans 70% are more likely to undergo major lower limb amputations than white Americans, even after adjusting for care access & comorbidities (Feinglass et al., Holman et al., Regenbogen et al.). Within 5 years, up to 50% of first-time amputees require another amputation (Dilingham et al., Glaser et al.) & those with comorbidities face a 77% five-year mortality rate (Fortington et al.).

Adipose Injectable Filler With Use Of Meshed Dermal Matrix And Porcine Urinary Bladder Matrix For The Management Of A Complex Achilles Wound, Francois M. Lokenye Dpm, Orlexia Thomas Dpm, Mariam Kamil Bs, Lady Paula Dejesus Dpm, Facfas, Facpm, Dwsp

Posters

Chronic Achilles wounds present a significant clinical challenge due to limited vascularity, high mechanical stress, and the complex anatomy of the posterior lower leg.

Regenerative medicine offers a promising alternative to traditional wound management through the use of advanced biologic materials.

This case highlights a novel approach utilizing a combination of adipose-derived injectable filler, acellular dermal matrix, and porcine urinary bladder matrix to enhance tissue regeneration, provide structural support, and promote wound healing.

The Multiple Roles Of 5-Lo In Tissue Regeneration – Insights From Translational Animal Models Utilizing Pharmacological And Genetic Approaches, Roel Navarro, Nidhin John, Claudia Biguetti

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Inflammation following tissue injury is a natural physiological response, where its course, duration, and intensity help determine whether it promotes beneficial or detrimental outcomes in tissue healing. Arachidonic acid (AA) serves as a substrate for5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway, which synthesizes metabolites such as leukotrienes that influence both acute and chronic inflammatory response.  AA and its product's inhibitors are currently used to treat hypersensitivity reactions. However, literature suggests potential therapeutic efficacy in tissue healing.