Recognizing and Managing Allergies Podiatric Surgical Materials

As podiatrists, we routinely work with sutures, implants, and adhesives. While modern materials are increasingly engineered to be biocompatible, the introduction of any foreign substance into the human body carries the inherent risk of an allergic response. These reactions, though often subtle, can significantly complicate patient care. What initially appears to be a straightforward postoperative infection may fail to respond to antibiotics—prompting the need to consider hypersensitivity as a key differential. I wrote this article as a reminder of that important consideration, and to support fellow practitioners in recognizing, preventing, and managing allergic reactions to surgical materials more effectively.

Read the full article here.