Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (JAPMA)

08/23/2026

Shockwave or laser for plantar fasciitis? A randomized trial of 47 patients compared extracorporeal shockwave therapy with low-level laser therapy over 3 weeks. Both improved outcomes, but laser therapy came out ahead: 95% of laser patients hit a clinically meaningful drop in pain versus 48% in the shockwave group.

Written by Eren Timurtaş et al.

Read the full study: https://brnw.ch/21x58OU

Background: Plantar fasciitis is predominantly treated conservatively through modalities such as extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT), yet the short-term effect of these modalities on pain and function is still ambiguous. We compared the short-term effectiveness...

08/22/2026

A minimally invasive option for talar avascular necrosis: this case report describes core decompression combined with demineralized bone matrix and bone marrow aspirate concentrate. The patient was back to full weightbearing and working two jobs by three months, with no donor site issues and joint preservation intact for future options if needed.

Written by Mujtaba Qureshi et al.

Read the full study: https://brnw.ch/21x581Y

Talar fractures constitute approximately 0.1% to 6% of all foot fractures, with 3.4% to 38% of all talar fractures being fractures of the body [...]

08/21/2026

An unusual and sobering case: an immunocompromised elderly man developed mucormycosis ("black fungus") of the foot after COVID-19 and later died of sepsis. The authors highlight the importance of a high clinical suspicion and prompt biopsy for foot lesions in COVID-19 patients, where early detection can be the difference between life and death.

Written by Ashley T. Russo et al.

Read the full study: https://brnw.ch/21x565P

08/20/2026

Not every flat foot in a child needs treatment. This clinician's guide lays out an eight-step approach to spot the "boomerangs," the pediatric flat feet likely to become symptomatic, and tell them apart from those that will settle on their own with growth, aiming to cut down on overdiagnosis and unnecessary intervention.

Written by Angela M. Evans

Read the full study: https://brnw.ch/21x54Vc

The pediatric flatfoot has long occupied a place in the medical literature, with concerns about the significance of its appearance. At the end of the first decade of the 21st century, an article in this journal provoked active debate about the pediatric flatfoot as part of development, and proposed....

08/19/2026

Could testosterone therapy help protect men with diabetes from foot complications? A large database study found the opposite: in men with diabetes, testosterone therapy was linked to higher odds of ulceration and wound care, whether or not they had hypogonadism. The mechanisms behind this need more work.

Written by Daniel C. Jupiter et al.

Read the full study: https://brnw.ch/21x53fF

08/18/2026

Surgery or conservative care for fifth metatarsal fractures? A retrospective review of 53 patients found that surgical treatment cut time to healing and return to activity by around 8 weeks compared with conservative management, and delayed or nonunions occurred only in the conservative group.

Written by Marc D. Jones et al.

Read the full study: https://brnw.ch/21x512W

Background: Historically, distal fifth metatarsal diaphyseal fractures have been treated with conservative management, with only limited research evaluating surgical treatment of these fractures. This study was performed to compare surgical versus conservative treatment of distal fifth metatarsal di...

08/17/2026

Gout usually strikes the big toe joint, but in a small share of cases it also affects the interphalangeal joints of the foot. This case series follows 7 patients who needed surgery for gouty tophi in these joints, with 6 out of 7 having no complications and no recurrence over an average 26-month follow-up.

Written by Marc D. Jones and Jordan F. Hirschi

Read the full study: https://brnw.ch/21x4ZNQ

08/17/2026

A reminder that antibiotics can sometimes have unexpected consequences. This case report describes an Achilles tendon rupture on day 7 of levofloxacin treatment for H. pylori, a rare but documented side effect of fluoroquinolones. The authors urge caution when prescribing these drugs, particularly for older or at-risk patients.

Written by Aysun Şeker and Nurdan Şentürk Durmuş

Read the full study: https://brnw.ch/21x4Zn4

This case report aims to demonstrate a rare occurrence of tendon rupture attributable to levofloxacin use in Helicobacter pylori eradication. On the seventh day of treatment, the patient experienced severe foot pain and difficulty in walking, leading to a diagnosis of Achilles tendon rupture confirm...

08/17/2026

Big news from JAPMA!

We're now on ! Follow us for the latest research, journal updates, and podiatry news: https://brnw.ch/21x4Zea

JAPMA is now fully Open Access. Every article is free to read, download, and share, with no paywall.

Explore all publications here: https://brnw.ch/21x4Zeb

American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)

08/17/2026

Lipomas rarely show up in the toes, so how should clinicians handle them when they do? This eight-case series describes painless, slow-growing masses mostly on the hallux in patients in their 50s. MRI proved best for diagnosis and planning, and complete surgical excision led to no recurrences over an average follow-up of more than three years.

Written by Xingpei Hao et al.

Read the full study: https://brnw.ch/21x4Z9B