Welcome to The Step™ where we bring the foot and ankle community together—whether you're reading our blog or listening to our podcast.
Here, surgeons, patients, and employees share real perspectives, practical insights, and meaningful stories—highlighting the innovation, education, and partnerships behind the moments that redefine every step.
Breaking down the trends, technology and tools shaping the future of foot and ankle surgery.
In the world of minimally invasive surgery (MIS), innovation doesn’t always mean adding complexity. Sometimes, it’s about taking it away.
Read about how NiTiNOL evolved from military-grade alloy to a catalyst for change in orthopedics through the DynaNail® System, offering new hope for high-risk fusion patients.
Unscripted moments from the people shaping foot and ankle care. Real takes, real trends, and real conversations.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix advanced fusion technology, a bit of surgeon humor, and a Terminator reference, this is a video you won’t want to miss.
We’re talking real experiences that move us forward together as an industry — conversations where surgeons, athletes, a patients share their stories to improve both the patient and the surgeon experience.
What happens when a former college football player brings the team mindset into the OR? To find out, Dr. Ariel Palanca sits down with Dr. Thomas A. McDonald—an Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon at Hartford Hospital’s Bone & Joint Institute—to explore why he treats every patient like an athlete and how surgeons can set them up for a “W.”
Dr. Ariel Palanca and Dr. Christopher E. Gross talk candidly about how new and established surgeons can navigate innovation in the field—even if they’re already deep into their career—when to be an early adopter, and how to turn pain points into entry points.
