Dr. Blitz is a hard-working, dedicated surgeon who has dramatically impacted the field of Foot & Ankle Surgery for the betterment of medicine in addition to the patients he directly treats. He has produced innovations of the past 12 years, which have revolutionized the field and Foot & Ankle Surgery.
Dr. Blitz has a long history of publishing, developed new surgeries, treatment algorithms and surgical techniques. He has performed clinical research and has received awards. Dr. Blitz has been selected to be guest editor for the Clinics in Podiatric Medicine & Surgery on two separate occasions, and been honored with a guest editorial in the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery.
In addition, Dr. Blitz has developed a medical implant for Bunion Surgery that holds the bone steady during healing, allowing him to walk patients immediately after surgery. This has changed bunion surgery because the recovery is no longer involves a long period of down time.
Below is list of Dr. Blitz’ scientific publications, and for a more complete list of his work please visit his biography page and view his CV.
GUEST EDITORIALS
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EMBRACING NEW TECHNOLOGY & TECHNIQUES IN FOOT & ANKLE SURGERY
Blitz NM Embracing New Technology & Techniques in foot & Ankle Surgery. Clin Podiatr Med Surg 29(3):xviii, 2012 |
Dr. Blitz is Guest Editor of Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery on Contemporary Controversies in Foot and Ankle Surgery.
His editorial is about surgeons embracing new technology.
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THE SURGICAL PLAYBOOK
Blitz NM The Surgical Playbook Clin Podiatr Med Surg 27(1):xvii-xviii, 2010 |
Dr. Blitz is Guest Editor of Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery on “The Pediatric Pesplanovalgus Deformity.” His editorial is entitled the surgical playbook and discusses how surgeons select procedures for their patients.
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THE BEE THRIVE
Blitz NM The Bee Thrive J Foot Ankle Surg 47(3): 180-90, 2008 |
Dr. Blitz is Guest Editor for the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery on a special dedicated issue to Kaiser Permanente Foot & Ankle Surgeons. Dr. Blitz provided several original manuscripts to this issue. The editorial is about the life of a foot surgeon in an integrated medial health deliver system.
PEER REVIEWED MANUSCRIPT
| SURAL INTRANEURAL GANGLION CYSTS ARE JOINT-RELATED
Spinner RJ, Amrami KK, Blitz NM Sural Intraneural Ganglion Cysts are Join-Related Sural intraneural cyst. Arch Plast Surg J. 2012; 39:77-79 |
Dr. Blitz is a co-author, along with Mayo Clinic surgeon Dr. Spinner, writes a letter and case example of intra-neural ganglion cyst to Archives of Plastic Surgery.
| EARLY WEIGHT BEARING OF THE LAPIDUS BUNIONECTOMY
Blitz NM Early Weightbearing of the Lapidus Bunionectomy. Is It Feasible? lin Podiatr Med Surg 29(3):367-81, 2012 |
Dr. Blitz, a pioneer in the weightbearing of the Lapidus Bunionectomy, writes about the evolution of walking the Lapidus Bunionectomy. Dr. Blitz discusses his experience in the protocol as well as fixation advances from simple screws to modern 3rd generation plating systems.
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EARLY WEIGHT BEARING AFTER MODIFIED LAPIDUS ARTHODESIS: A MULTICENTER REVEIW OF 80 CASES
Blitz NM, Lee T, Williams K, Barkan H, DiDimenico LA Early Weight Bearing After Modified Lapidus Arthodesis: A Multicenter Review of 80 Cases J Foot Ankle Surg 49(4):357-62, 2010 |
Dr. Blitz’ study on early weightbearing of the Lapidus Bunionectomy is the first multicenter study to be published on the topic of early weightbearing. This manuscript was published in the prestigious Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery. This landmark article provides clinical evidence that early weightbearing can be performed with the Lapidus Bunionectomy while achieving a successful fusion rate. In this study involving 80 cases, all patients successfully healed (100% fusion rate) with the protected weightbearing protocol. This study paves the way for the mainstreaming and accepting of the Dr. Blitz’ practice that Lapidus is a weightbearing procedure so long as the fixation is stable and the patient is properly selected.
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PEDIATRIC & ADOLESCENT FLATFOOT RECONSTRUCTION IN COMBINATION WITH MIDDLE FACET TALOCALCANEAL COALITION RESECTION
Blitz NM Pediatric & adolescent flatfoot reconstruction in combination with middle facet talocalcaneal coalition resection Clin Podiatr Med Surg 27(1):119-33, 2010 |
A review article, written by Dr. Blitz, on his single stage operation for rigid flat foot caused by tarsal coalition that removes the bone blockage and corrects the flat foot.
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FLEXIBLE PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT PES PLANOVALGUS: CONSERVATIVE AND SURGICAL TREATMENT OPTIONS
Blitz NM, Stabile RJ, Giorgini RJ, DiDomenico LA Flexible pediatric and adolescent pes planovalgus: conservative and surgical treatment options Clin Podiatr Med Surg 27(1):59-77, 2010 |
Dr. Blitz is primary author on a review article for flat foot treatment – both conservative and non-surgical options.
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EMBRACING NEW TECHNOLOGY & TECHNIQUES IN FOOT & ANKLE SURGERY
Kernbach KJ, Barkan H, Blitz NM Embracing New Technology & Techniques in foot & Ankle Surgery. Clin Podiatr Med Surg 2010 27(1):135-43 |
Award winning research of Dr. Blitz is published that investigates the extent of arthritis in the back part of the foot when associated with tarsal coalition. This is the first study of its kind to grade and classify subtalar arthritis associated with tarsal coalition. The results of this study help the surgical decision-making when considered to resect a tarsal coalition versus perform a rearfoot fusion surgery.
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THE VERSATILITY OF THE LAPIDUS ARTHRODESIS
Blitz NM The versatility of the Lapidus arthrodesis Clin Podiatr Med Surg 26(3):427-41, 2009 |
A review article, solely written by Dr. Blitz on the Lapidus Bunionectomy. Dr. Blitz reviews the various clinical scenarios where the Lapidus procedure is used in foot and ankle surgery. Such indications include: early weightbearing Lapidus, Lisfranc’s fracture, flatfoot reconstruction, arthritis, and more. Technical pearls are also reviewed for his surgical colleagues.
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MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF A DEEP PERONEAL INTRANEURAL GANGLION CYST ORIGINATING FROM THE SECOND METATARSOPHALANGEAL JOIN: A PATTERN OF PROPAGATION SUPPORTING THE UNIFIED ARTICULAR (SYNOVIAL) THEORY FOR THE FORMATION OF INTRANEURAL GALGLIA
Blitz NM, Amrami KK, Spinner R Magnetic Resonance Imaging of a Deep Peroneal Intraneural Ganglion Cyst Originating from the Second Metatarsophalangeal Joint: A Pattern of Propagation Supporting the Unified Articular (Synovial) Theory for the Formation of Intraneural Ganglia J Foot Ankle Surg 48(1):80-4, 2009 |
Together with Mayo Clinic Surgeon Dr. Spinner, Dr.Blitz publish their second article on the intraneural ganglion in the foot and ankle region.
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ANATOMICAL ASPECTS OF THE GASTROCNEMIUS APONEUROSIS AND ITS MUSCULAR BOUND PORTION: A CADAVERIC STUDY – PART II
Blitz NM, Eliot DJ Anatomical Aspects of the Gastrocnemius Aponeurosis and its Muscular-Bound Portion. A Cadaveric Study. Part II. J Foot Ankle Surg 47(6):533-40, 2008 |
Dr. Blitz performed cadaveric study in collaboration with the anatomical sciences department of Touro University to evaluate the morphology and insertion of the gastrocnemius muscle. The result of this study has important impact on the surgical planning and execution of a gastrocnmeius intra-muscular aponeurotic recession.
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PERCUTANEOUS LOCKING PLATE FIXATION OF THE PILON FRACTURE. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE.
Lee T, Blitz NM, Rush SM Percutaneous Locking Plate Fixation of the Pilon Fracture. Surgical Technique. J Foot Ankle Surg 47(6):598-602, 2008 |
Dr. Blitz co-authors a review article on the treatment of severe lower leg ankle fractures (Pilon fractures) with minimal and small incisions, called the percutaneous technique.
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HEMORRHAGIC GANGLION OF THE TIBIALIS ANTERIOR TENDON: REPORT OF AN UNUSUAL VARIANT
Rodriguez N, Blitz NM Hemorrhagic Ganglion of the Tibialis Anterior Tendon. An Unusual Variant, A Single Case Report J Foot Ankle Surg 47(6):571-5, 2008 |
Dr. Blitz and surgical resident publish a case report on an interesting case of ganglion of the foot. Most ganglions contain clear fluid, however Dr. Blitz identified a purple ganglion due to bleeding into the ganglion. This is foot ganglion variant is important to identify because a blood containing has important diagnostic considerations with MRI imaging can provide a misdiagnosis of more serious conditions.
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GIANT EXTRASKELETAL OSTEOCHONDROMA OF THE PLATAR MIDFOOT ARCH
Spencer R, Blitz NM Giant Extra-skeletal Osteochondroma of the Plantar Midfoot Arch. A Case Report. J Foot Ankle Surg 47(4):362-7, 2008 |
Dr. Blitz and surgical resident publish an interesting case report of a giant bone growth in arch of the foot. This bone growth is different than a simple bone growth of the foot (called an osteochondroma) in that this bone was not growing from an adjacent bone – rather grew denovo within the soft tissues.
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THE PRESENCE OF CALCANEAL FIBULAR REMODELING ASSOCIALTED WITH MIDDLE FACET TALOCALCANEAL COALTION: A RETROSPECTIVE CT REVIEW OF 35 FEET. INVESTIGATION INVOLVING MIDDLE FACET COALITIONS – PART II
Kernbach K, Blitz NM The Presence of Calcaneal Fibular Remodeling Associated With Middle Facet Talocalcaneal Coalition: A Retrospective CT Review of 35 feet. Investigations Involving Middle Facet Coalitions – Part II. J Foot Ankle Surg 47(4):288-94, 2008 |
Dr. Blitz is the first to identify a new clinical and radiographic entity associated with tarsal coalitions called “calcaneofibular remodeling.” This occurs when the heel bone abuts the fibula in rigid flat foot associated with tarsal coalition causing a psuedojoint.
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A POST-TRAUMATIC, JOINT CONNECTED SURAL INTRANEURAL GANGLION CYST – WITH A NEW MECHANISM OF INTRANEURAL RECURRENCE; A CASE REPORT
Blitz NM, Prestridge J, Amrami KK, Spinner R A Post-Traumatic, Joint Connected Sural Intraneural Ganglion Cyst – With a New Mechanism of Recurrence. J Foot Ankle Surg 47(3):199-205, 2008 |
Dr. Blitz, and Dr. Spinner (Mayo Clinic) publish a case report on an intraneural ganglion of the subtatalar joint that illustrated a new mechanism for recurrence.
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BILATERAL SINGLE-STAGE MIDDLE FACET TALOCALCANEAL COALITION RESECTION COMBINED WITH FLATFOOT RECONSTRUCTION: A REPORT OF 3 CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING MIDDLE FACET COALITIONS – PART I
Kernbach K, Blitz NM, Rush SM Bilateral Single Stage Middle Facet Coalition Resection Combined with Flatfoot Reconstruction. A Report of 6 Cases. Investigations Involving Middle Facet Coalitions, Part I. J Foot Ankle Surg 47(3):180-90, 2008 |
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INTERPOSITION OF THE FLEXOR HALLUCIS LONGUS TENDON THROUGH THE SUBTALAR JOINT AS A LATE COMPLICATION OF PEDIATRIC CLUBFOOT REPAIR: A CASE REPORT
Blitz NM, Hoyal R, Lee T Interposition of the Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon through the Subtalar Joint as a Late Complication of Clubfoot Repair. A Case Report. J Foot Ankle Surg 47(4):321-5, 2008 |
Dr. Blitz publishes an interesting case report of a trapped tendon, coursing through the subtalar joint, as a late effect of a clubfoot. A triple arthrodesis surgery was performed, but the pathology had never been described.
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GIANT SOLITARY OSTEOCHONDROMA OF THE INFERIOR MEDIAL CALCANEAL TUBERCLE: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Blitz NM, Lopez KT Giant Osteochondroma of the Inferior Plantar Medial Calcaneal Tubercle. A Case Report. J Foot Ankle Surg 47(3):206-12, 2008 |
Another interesting case report published by Dr. Blitz, on a giant osteochondroma (benign bone tumor) of the heel. This patient had heel pain that could have been easily confused with plantar fasciitis. The bone mass was located adjacent to the major artery and nerve of the foot. Dr. Blitz performed extensive surgery to remove bone spur and reconstruct heel.
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BILATERAL PERONEUS LONGUS TENDON RUPTURE THROUGH A BIPARTITE OS PERONEUM
Blitz NM, Nemes KK Bilateral Peroneus Longus Rupture Through Bipartite Os Peroneum. A Case Report J Foot Ankle Surg 46(4):270-7, 2007 |
Dr. Blitz writes article, published in Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery, on a case involving a rupture of the peroneus longus tendon in both feet of a patient. The patients injury occurred while playing baseball as he slid into first base. The tendons were ruptured through an intratendonous bone called a sesamoid bone. Dr. Blitz describes how to repair this injury because the location of the rupture does not allow for a classic tendon repair. A peroneal stop procedure was performed where both peroneal tendons were tied together to function as one.
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THE GASTROCNEMIUS INTRAMUSCULAR APONEUROTIC RECESSION: A SIMPLIFIED METHOD OF GASTROCNEMIUS RECESSION
Blitz NM, Rush SM The Gastrocnemius Intramuscular Aponeurotic Recession. A Simplified Method of Gastrocnemius Recession. J Foot Ankle Surg 46(2):133-8, 2007 |
A new procedure developed by Dr. Blitz, which is a modification of a gastrocnemius recession. The procedure is called a Gastrocnemius Intra-muscular Aponeurotic Recession. Here a small incision is made on the inside of the calf, and cutting only the muscular bound portion of the tendon lengthens the tight tendon, and lengthening is achieved through stretching the muscle. Dr. Blitz describes this new technique in a step-by-step fashion.
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ANATOMICAL ASPECTS OF THE GASTROCNEMIUS APONEUROSIS AND ITS INSERTION: A CADAVERIC STUDY
Blitz NM, Eliot DJ Anatomical Aspects of the Gastrocnemius Aponeurosis and its Insertion. A Cadaveric Study. J Foot Ankle Surg 46(2):101-8, 2007 |
A cadaveric study performed by Dr. Blitz to closely evaluate the calf muscle (gastrocnemius) and how it inserts into the fasica of the leg. This is surgically relevant because Dr. Blitz found that the calf muscle insertion is variable and sometimes has a direct attachment, making simple Strayer type gastrocnmeius recession challenging. This study paved the way for Dr. Blitz to develop and popularize the Gastrocnemius Intramuscular Aponeurotic Recession.
| USE OF THE FIRST RAY SPLAY TEST TO ASSESS TRANSVERSE PLANE INTABILITY BEFORE FIRST METATARSOCUNEIFORM FUSION.
Blitz NM Use of the First Ray Splay Test to Assess Transverse Plane Instability Before First Metatarsocuneiform Fusion. Letters to the Editor. J Foot Ankle Surg 45(6): 441-3, 2006. |
In a letter to the editor of the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgeons, Dr. Blitz writes about his experience with the intraoperative hypermobility test for bunion surgery. Dr. Blitz previous described a condition called transverse plane instability when it comes to bunions.
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FREIBERG’S INFRACTION IN IDENTICAL TWINS: A CASE REPORT
Blitz NM, Yu J Freiberg’s Infraction in Identical Twins. A Case Report. J Foot Ankle Surg 44(3):218-221, 2005 |
Dr. Blitz writes a case report on Freiberg’s Infraction in identical twins. Freiberg’s Infraction is a condition that results in loss of blood supply to a metatarsal head, mainly the second metatarsal. The fact that this occurred in identical twins suggests that a genetic component may be present.
| PLANTAR PLATE RUPTURES OF THE SECOND METATARSOPHALANGEAL JOINT. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
Blitz NM, Christensen JC, Ford LA Plantar Plate Ruptures of the Second Metatarsophalangeal Joint. Letters to the Editor. J Foot Ankle Surg 43(6): 442, 2004 |
A letter to the editor, written by Dr. Blitz, discusses his experience with plantar plate tears. Dr. Blitz has a long history of treating plantar plate injuries, and recommendations for primary repair of the plantar plate.
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THE MEDIAL MALLEOLAR APPROACH FOR ARTHRODESIS OF THE ANKLE: A REPORT OF 13 CASES
Schuberth JM, Cheung C, Rush SM, Blitz NM, Roling B The Medial Malleolar Approach for Arthrodesis of the Ankle. A Report of 13 Cases. J Foot Ankle Surg 44(2):125-32, 2004 |
In an excellent paper on a new approach for ankle fusions, Dr. Blitz is a co-author on the manuscript. This technique involves a surgical approach on the inside of the foot, rather than on the outside.
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SECOND METATARSOPHALANGEAL JOINT ARTHROGRAPHY: A CADAVERIC CORRELATION STUDY
Blitz NM, Ford LA, Christensen JC Arthrography of the Second Metatarsophalangeal Joint. A Cadaveric Correlation Study J Foot Ankle Surg 43(4):231-40, 2004 |
Dr. Blitz publishes an interesting study on arthrography of the 2nd toe (MTPJ) in cadavers to better understand anatomical variants. Arthrography is important to identify the integrity of the capsule of the 2nd toe, and mainly to diagnose plantar plate tears. The study revealed that bursal sacs exist that communicate with the joint, and are not abnormal. Abnormal arthrogram is one where the plantar plate is ruptured and fluid leaks out of the joint into a defined tendon sheath.
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PLANTAR PLATE REPAIR OF THE SECOND METATARSOPHALANGEAL JOINT: TECHNIQUE AND TIPS
Blitz NM, Ford LA, Christensen JC Plantar Plate Repair. Technique and Tips. J Foot Ankle Surg 43(4):265-9, 2004 |
This landmark article is the first surgical pearls article in the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery on how to repair a torn plantar plate of the 2nd toe. Dr. Blitz describes the types of tears and methods to treat each tear.
| PEDAL PLEXIFORM NEUROFIBROMA. CASE REPORT AND REVIEW
Blitz NM, Hutchinson B, Grabowski MV Pedal Plexiform Neurofibroma. Case Report and Review. J Foot Ankle Surg 41(2):117-24, 2002 |
A very interesting case report published by Dr. Blitz, regarding a large neurofibroma on the top of the foot, which was associated with Neurofibromatosis. The soft tissue mass was excised.
| PLANTAR PLATE RUPTURES OF THE SECOND METATARSOPHALANGEAL JOINT.
Blitz NM, Christensen JC, Ford LA Plantar Plate Ruptures of the Second Metatarsophalangeal Joint. Letters to the Editor. J Foot Ankle Surg 41(2): 138-9, 2002 |
A letter to editor regarding plantar plate arthrography of the 2nd toe, as it relates to plantar plate injury.
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PYODERMA GANGRENOSUM
Blitz NM, Rudikoff D Pyoderma Gangrenosum Mt Sinai J Med 86(4-5):287-97, 2001 |
Review article on Pyoderma Gangrenosum written by Dr. Blitz and Dr. Rudikoff. This was Dr. Blitz’ published first peer-reviewed manuscript.
