In this episode of The PODdoctors podcast, Dr. Damien Dauphinee, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, and Dr. Raafae Hussain, a fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon, discuss a case involving a severe Achilles tendon injury in a young athlete. They highlight the importance of having backups for backups when relying on imaging, as MRIs can sometimes be misleading. Dr. Dauphinee and Dr. Hussain explain the surgical procedure they performed, including the use of a cadaveric calcaneal Achilles graft. They also discuss the post-operative care and rehabilitation process.

Quotes

• "When tamping the bone you can use screws, wires, staples, plates, but I think the most common is a single screw.” -Dr. Raafae Hussain

• “The moral of the story from a surgeon's standpoint is, MRIs can lie to you Have a backup for your backup.” -Dr. Damien Dauphinee

Top Takeaways:

• Cadaveric Achilles grafts can be a viable option to bridge extensive gaps.
• Encouraging interdisciplinary learning through real-life cases is vital for medical professionals' growth and preparedness for complex surgeries.

What You Will Learn:

• Postoperative care involves lengthier immobilization and physical therapy when using cadaveric grafts, highlighting the need for tailored recovery protocols.
• MRIs can sometimes provide misleading information; it's important to be prepared with multiple treatment plans.
• Proper fixation using screws and consideration for nerve location, such as sural nerves, is crucial during Achilles tendon surgery.

Resources:

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