Relief from the Agony of Hammertoe: The Smart Toe Memory Implant

Show Date:
April 26, 2010
Show Number:
LLH-SE_hammertoe_a, b
Listen to this show:

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Guest:
Dr. Jason Miller
Topic Info:

The subject of this program is the Smart Toe Memory Implant, a treatment for Hammertoe.  Hammertoe is a particularly unpleasant and often painful foot condition where toes become fixed in a rigid, bent position.

The Smart Toe™ Memory Implant is completely internal. It has no external wires. Its “memory” capability helps compress the joint into its proper shape. Its one-piece design doesn’t interfere with nearby healthy joints. Furthermore, it resists the rotation problems commonly seen with other corrective surgeries used for Hammertoe, Mallet Toe and Claw Toe.

Chris Springmann speaks first with Dr. Jason Miller, a well-known expert on who has written  books on and lectured nationally and internationally on a variety of topics related to foot and ankle surgery, and who is double-boarded in foot surgery and reconstructive rear foot and ankle surgery. This is followed with an interview with a former Hammertoe sufferer, Judy Cseh, who has experienced both the traditional K-wire correction and the The Smart Toe™ Memory Implant correction.

The Smart Toe™ Memory Implant is made of a special alloy called NiTinol which has shape-memory properties. The implant is cooled prior to surgery. Once implanted, body heat causes it to warm up and to become wider and shorter. The increase in width secures the implant in place, while the shortening pulls the bones tightly together to encourage the natural fusion process. It is completely internal, with no external wires. Due to this one-piece design, it doesn't interfere with nearby healthy joints; and its shape provides resistance to rotation. There are also fewer complications from non-union and infection.

Guest Info:
Dr. Jason R. Miller, DPM, graduated with honors from Moravian College in 1993 with a B.S. in Pre-Med Biology. He then went on to graduate in 1997 from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Miller began his career in 2001 teaching in the Dept of Surgery at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine where he served as Residency Director of the Temple University Health Systems/Northeastern Hospital podiatric residency program and Chief of the Section. In 2002, Dr. Miller was honored in the Temple University “Gallery of Success,” an annual prestige that is awarded to a recent and past Temple graduate who has excelled in their chosen career. Dr. Miller continues to hold the rank of Associate Professor as an adjunct faculty member in the Dept. of Surgery at TUSPM. In 2008, Dr. Miller was awarded by the Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association with the “Rising Star” award.

He has also written and lectured both nationally and internationally on a variety of topics related to foot and ankle surgery. He currently serves on the editorial board of The Foot and Ankle Online Journal and is a consultant to several pharmaceutical and orthopaedic companies.

Dr. Miller is a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery where he is board certified in Reconstructive Rearfoot /Ankle Surgery and Foot Surgery. He is a Founding Fellow of The American Professional Wound Care Association and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Websites:
More on Dr. Jason Miller
Host:
Christopher Springmann www.bodylanguage.org
Show Photos:
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