09/14/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: CT Podiatrist Receives 3 Year Sentence and $134K Restitution (Michael Rosenblatt, DPM)
From: Paul Kesselman, DPM, Richard A. Simmons, DPM
Aside from DME audits, reviewing claims for total or partial nail avulsions really is a slam dunk for carriers. Dr. Rosenblatt is very much on target when he suggests that DPMs benefit insurance carrier auditors by not documenting proper procedure(s) when it comes to nail removals (CPT 11730).
The following documentation should be placed in the patient's chart:
1) A consent form - If the patient cannot sign this for whatever reason, that information should be placed in the chart;
2) Notation of the name and dose of injectable anesthetic (unless you document neuropathy);
3) Removal of a substantial portion of the nail (total border from distal to proximal, or the entire nail)
4) Written post-op instructions should be provided and signed by the patient (give your office patients a copy) or write these orders in the NH or hospital chart.
5) The use of digital photography, while not mandatory by most MCR LCDs and private insurance carriers, is highly recommended.
For some MCR carriers it is mandatory for lessor toenails 2-5.
Paul Kesselman, DPM, Woodside, NY , drkesselmandpm1@hotmail.com
In the excellent letter written by Dr. Rosenblatt concerning the billing for CPT 11730 part of the procedure that he stated was necessary for correct billing required that the surgeon to “Remove a section of nail that includes eponychium.”
In Florida, our LCD 29318 does not require removing any of the eponychium, but it does require “the entire length of the nail border to and under the eponychium." This is not a procedure that I perform with any great frequency (probably less than once every sixty days); however, I have never done this procedure where it involved such extensive removal of the matrix region as would be required with excision of the eponychium. Is the excision of the eponychium a new requirement by CMS?
Richard A. Simmons, DPM, Rockledge, FL RASDPM32955@gmail.com
09/12/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: Remembering 9/11
From: Bruce G Blank, DPM
Thank you for continuing the tradition of re-publishing your editor's note of 9-12-01 in PM News. It was a day which touched all of us & one we will never and should never forget.
I remember one of the fire fighters from my elementary school days in Staten Island. I'm sure that there had to be others I knew when growing up or relatives of people I knew. However, all Americans were effected, whether they had a personal connection or not. I think this was an event which should continue to pull us all together as the attack on Pearl Harbor brought the Greatest Generation together.
Bruce G Blank, DPM, Martins Ferry, OH, bruceblankdpm@gmail.com
09/11/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: NY Podiatrist Roughed Up by Former Boyfriend (Jennifer Barlow, DPM)
From: Sloan Gordon, DPM
I really didn't want to enter the fray about what gets reported on PM News, however, I know that Dr. Block is very careful to report factual news that often displays regrettable behavior by some of our colleagues. I believe the point of the 'mention' was to simply state the news and the facts. I had never heard of Dr. Splichal and when I Goggled her, I was a bit shocked. After all, her Google page looks like a PR piece for a model.
I personally am a staunch defender of women's rights and abhor domestic violence, but you can't have it both ways. You can't have your picture all over the place in salacious poses and costumes and not expect that your every movement will be scrutinized, even by the paparazzi. I think PM News was simply stating the facts.
Sloan Gordon, DPM, Houston, TX, sgordondoc@sbcglobal.net
07/16/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: Good Hygiene Prevents Fungal Infections/Odor: Singapore Podiatrist
From: Mike Boxer, DPM
Comment was made that foot odor comes from bacterial action on sweat. Any patient who has foot odor will tell you that they can wash their feet, dry them well, and within five minutes after putting on their footwear, their feet have a terrible odor. All patients with foot odor have hyperidrosis. The odor comes from bacterial action on the wet leather, and not bacterial action on sweat. Once the shoe is worn, the foot picks up the odor from the leather.
The only way for a patient to cure bromidrosis is to replace all footwear that has an odor. Often, the use of Bromi-Talc Plus (Gordon Labs bromidrosis powder) that contains Abscents Deodorizing Powder can rid the footwear of the odor. To prevent bromidrosis, hyperidrosis must be well-controlled to keep shoe leather from getting wet with sweat.
Mike Boxer, DPM, Woodmere, NY, mcbdpm@aol.com
06/20/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: Scholl Professor Sues Associate Dean for Defamation (Lloyd S. Smith, DPM)
From: Jon Purdy, DPM
I have nothing but respect for Dr. Smith and his vast contributions to podiatry. The last thing I want to be known for is drive-by blaming. I don’t believe I blamed anyone or any entity, but simply stated the schools could do more to prepare students for the real world of medicine.
Years ago, I interacted with the CPME to help form new residency positions and did go through the system, so I’m certainly not an “outsider.” Maybe Dr. Smith is not aware that...
Editor's note: Dr. Purdy's extended-length letter can be read here.
06/19/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: Scholl Professor Sues Associate Dean for Defamation
From: Stanley W. Blondek, DPM, MD
As a Clinical Professor in Pediatrics at the Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton, Pennsylvania and a private practitioner, I would like to state that most, if not all, medical schools employ part-time faculty. You want those on the outside sharing their knowledge and practice experience with students. This does not seem to be the case with Scholl college.
I have been a visiting lecturer at Scholl College for the past 17 years in pediatrics and neonatology under Dr. Hrywnak in his medicine course. This situation about removing part-time faculty is to suppress academic freedom of speech. Dr. Hrywnak has always come to the aid of students and to promote podiatry. His salary is always donated back and his connections to medical rotations in Chicago have proven beneficial to podiatric medical students. His practice management course is unsurpassed by any other, preparing students for the reality of practice. I will miss coming to Chicago and teaching the Scholl students.
This lawsuit is long overdue. Since when does a PhD in embryology run a podiatric medical school? Are there no DPMs qualified? I write this post in hope that both sides can work out their differences and that Dr. Hrywnak can return to do what he does best, promoting podiatry and preparing the students for private practice. The changes in healthcare are upon us. Podiatry needs those willing to help and lead and not be suppressed by politics and selfish financial motives. It's not ethically and morally right not to keep students informed.
Stanley W. Blondek, DPM, MD, Scranton, PA, lackpeds@aol.com
05/07/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: Laker Basketball Star's Injury May Have Been Preventable: TX Podiatrist (Ed Davis, DPM)
From: Amol Saxena, DPM
There is no level 3 or higher study to support that Achilles tendon ruptures are associated with having ankle equinus. Quoting one level 4 study is not very assuring. Furthermore, there is also no evidence that stretching and other rehabilitation techniques are helpful. In fact, the mainstay of treatment for Achilles tendinopathy (but not ruptures) is eccentric strengthening. All NBA teams have a rigorous conditioning and rehabilitation team that utilize these techniques. Unfortunately, ruptures are just part of the sport. If stretching the Achilles is so helpful, why do virtually all patients who present with Achilles tendinopathy state they already have been stretching when they come in for treatment?
In addition, trying to reduce the equinus in an athlete can be...
Editor's note: Dr. Saxena's extended-length letter can be read here.
04/22/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: 104 Applicants Not Matched for Residency Positions
From: Amram Dahukey, DPM
So now, the blame game is on, and everyone is trying to blame someone for the shortage of residencies or offer different short-term solutions. One doctor even suggested it is time to sunset the DPM and offer an MD degree. Almost 20 years ago, as delegate of the Arizona Podiatric Medical Association, I circulated a notion that the solution to our specialty integration into the mainstream medicine, is by changing the curriculum of the medical schools so that students will have a dual degree MD or DO and a DPM. It was a time when the debate was raging about whether we should include the ankle or just foot as scope of practice.
The solution I offer is two-fold: change of the education system to grant both degrees even if it requires an additional year in school, and accept students based on the projected number of residencies at the time of enrollment. I believe that these changes must be made now for podiatric medicine to become an accepted specialty of medicine. Many of the hurdles we as practitioners encounter on a daily basis will be removed. This is not an issue of pride, but of practicality in daily practice in hospitals, and even in insurance acceptance issues.
Amram Dahukey, DPM, Tucson, AZ, drd@premiersurgeons.com
04/19/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: 104 Applicants Not Matched for Residency Positions
From: Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH
Jumping to Conclusions about the Current Residency Crisis: An Evidence-Based Approach
The number of podiatric medical students failing to match in the current residency cycle has nothing to do with number of schools. First year student enrollment in 1985 was far fewer than the number enrolled today, even though there are now more podiatric medical schools. Furthermore, the U.S. population in now more than 308 million compared to 281 million in 2000. Also, today more than 40 million people are age 65 and over compared to 35 million in 2000.
By the year 2020, when newly enrolled podiatric medical students will be completing their training, the need for podiatric physicians will be...
Editor's note: Dr. Levy's extended-length letter can be read here.
04/16/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: 104 Applicants Not Matched for Residency Positions (Robert Kornfeld, DPM)
From: Dennis Shavelson, DPM
Dr. Kornfeld understands the 104 crisis, but I suggest it to be the iceberg tip of the DPM titanic crisis that podiatry is currently sailing on. Podiatrists, residents, and the “lost 104” need short, cheap, intense workshops and training programs to, as Robert has so aptly stated, establish “thoughtful, patient-specific diagnostic and treatment paradigms” in practice. These courses must also create a profitable core to practice that will ensure a respectable income commensurate with the investments we are making every day to be healers.
With that in mind, I am offering 1-2 or 3 day workshop/practice shadowing at The Foot Typing Centers of LifeStyle Podiatry in NYC to any lost 104 or current 2nd or 3rd year residents. These workshops will focus on Foot Centering Biomechanics®, Closed Chain Dermatology®, and “uninsured/uncovered” programs like lasers and in-offfice dispensing. There will be no associated fees.
I will allow 2 participants a week, starting in two weeks and lasting throughout the summer. Participants must dress, act, and behave professionally.
Dennis Shavelson, DPM, NY, NY, drsha@lifestylepodiatry.com
04/12/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: MI Podiatrist Sentenced to Prison in Healthcare Fraud Scheme
From: Ted Cohen, DPM
What a bunch of hypocrites, what a bunch of self-righteous loathing liars! Sure the doctor made a mistake, sure he should pay restitution for up-coding. But 6 months in jail! That is just absurd, capricious, wanton, and totally arbitrary! The nerve of this podiatrist’s fellow brethren to believe that this “crime” against humanity deserves JAIL TIME! especially when (I’ll go out on a limb here) I guarantee that each and every one of us at one time for even the smallest line item cheated on our taxes.
You sanctimonious bunch of whores (of which I include myself). You want to talk about thievery, let's talk about...
Editor's note: Dr. Cohen's extended-length letter can be read here.
04/11/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
MI Podiatrist Sentenced to Prison for Healthcare Fraud (Matthew B. Richins, DPM)
From: Richard A. Simmons, DPM
I have to concur with Dr. Richins in this matter. Fraud requires intentional deception. Admitting to fraud means that you knew it was wrong when you did it. Regardless of the cost, if I were innocent, I would defend myself to the last appeal. After all, other than our good name and character, who are we? There is a huge difference between making a mistake and committing fraud. Fraud has no defense.
Richard A. Simmons, DPM, Rockledge, FL RASDPM32955@gmail.com
04/09/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: MI Podiatrist Sentenced to Prison for Healthcare Fraud
From: Matthew B. Richins, DPM
With all due respect to my fellow colleague, it sounds like justice has been served. Billing a nail avulsion when performing a nail debridement is wrong whether done once, a hundred, or a million times, even if everyone else is doing it.
I am sure Dr. Kirk is not a bad man, but unless I misunderstand the facts, he made a huge mistake and will pay for it. We should all be mindful as to not approach this slippery slope.
Matthew B. Richins, DPM, Joplin, MO, mnmrichins@yahoo.com
04/06/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: 104 Applicants Not Matched for Residency Positions
From: Robert Eckles, DPM, MPH
Regarding the current residency position shortage, I feel compelled, after review of the dozens of online comments made on PM News and elsewhere, to write from the position of Graduate Placement Director and Associate Dean at one of the 9 colleges of podiatric medicine.
There have been many assertions made in recent weeks, generally summarized as:
• There are too many colleges of podiatric medicine.
• There are too many students in the colleges.
• The colleges care nothing about...
Editor's note: Dr. Eckles' extended-length letter can be read here.
04/05/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: 104 Applicants Not Matched for Residency Positions
From: Brent Nixon, DPM, MBA
The outside of the box answer is right in front of us. There is a shortage of doctors! This shortage is forecasted to grow. This is a great opportunity for podiatry schools to help the nation! Just offer a joint degree option, DPM/DO or DPM/MD! Beef up the academic course of study to qualify the graduates to go down either path, or both paths, as they choose This program will eliminate the need for marginal podiatric residencies and strengthen the remainder. How is that for PARITY!! Remember, there are only people who manage to get things done and those who don't!
Brent Nixon, DPM, MBA, Tucson, AZ, bcopter@yahoo.com
04/04/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: 104 Applicants Not Matched for Residency Positions (Mark Caselli, DPM)
From: Narmo L. Ortiz, Jr., DPM
Of all the suggestions proposed so far, Dr. Caselli's makes the most sense. While Vision 2015 was well intentioned, the recent events are a clear proof of a great flaw in its design. There is no doubt that our profession has advanced, but to just concentrate on producing foot and ankle surgeons instead of well-rounded podiatric physicians is a mistake we will regret dearly if not fixed in time. Dr. Markinson pointed out very well how we are going to miss a great opportunity if we forget about the increasing wave of diabetic patients that will be treated by other healthcare providers.
So, I second Dr. Caselli's suggestion of bringing back the full scope of podiatric residency programs that were once available since, as Dr. Gramuglia well stated, about 60% of the PSR-36 graduates will not perform the surgeries they were trained to do nor will they see those complex cases "walk-in" through their doors on a daily basis. I have personally seen many recent graduates of those programs become frustrated because of the small number of surgical cases that come through the door, yet we see at least 40% to 50% of our patients who come with diabetes, and the numbers keep growing. Take notice CPME and APMA!
Narmo L. Ortiz, Jr., DPM, Marietta, GA, nlortizdpm@embarqmail.com
04/03/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: 104 Applicants Not Matched for Residency Positions
From: Stephen J. Leonard, DPM, Chuck Ross, DPM
To quote Yogi Berra, this is like deja vu all over again. As a 1988 graduate, I remember all too well the shortage of residency programs. That was 25 years ago. It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same. We have failed to learn from our own history; shame on us. The profession has allowed this tragedy to be repeated, and these poor, unmatched students, will pay a terrible price, both emotionally and financially. Who is responsible for this outrage?
The primary culprits are the administrators at each of the podiatry schools. They knew, or should have known, that they enrolled more students then the number of residency programs available. They operate in their ivory towers, receiving huge salaries, with little regard of the post-graduate reality. I experienced this first-hand in Cleveland 29 years ago, and it still goes on today. This all reminds me of an awful saying I heard as a student, "podiatrists eat their young."
Stephen J. Leonard, DPM, Spring Hill, FL, sjleonard56@hotmail.com
I have been following the ongoing discussion relative to the residency shortage and would like to supply a little historical perspective, as I have not yet seen this appear.
Approximately 15 years ago, I was fortunate to have been employed at NYCPM and was asked to participate in a meeting of a coalition of podiatric organizations that met in Washington, DC to...
Editor's note: Dr. Ross' extended-length letter can be read here.
04/01/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: 104 Applicants Not Matched for Residency Positions
From: H. David Gottlieb, DPM,
The malaise that finds our profession with 104 fewer entry level residency positions than is needed is unfathomable to me.
FACT - States are guaranteed Medicare reimbursement for podiatry resident salaries. FACT - Podiatry residents are not capped as other specialties are.
There is NO excuse that anyone reading this who works in a non-federal hospital hasn't started to create a new program. All it takes is two new programs in every state and this issue of too few residency positions is solved. We have the right number of graduates; we need more residency positions. Stop worrying about someone stealing your patient. Worry instead about whether or not someone will be around to buy your practice when you want to sell it.
H. David Gottlieb, DPM, Baltimore, MD, hdavidgottliebdpm@gmail.com
As a former professor of orthopedic sciences, director of both residency and fellowship programs, and concerned podiatrist, I respectfully submit this emergency plan to provide our current unmatched graduates a residency program that will qualify them for a state license to practice podiatry.
1) The CPME must re-instate the RPR/PPMR/POR/PSR-12 one-year residency programs. The guidelines are already established.
2) The CPME must permit the colleges of podiatric medicine to sponsor...
Editor's note: Dr. Caselli's extended-length letter appears here.
03/30/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: 104 Applicants Not Matched for Residency Positions (Lawrence Oloff, DPM)
From: Bryan Markinson, DPM, Michael Marcus, DPM
At last year's APMA Annual Meeting, the COMEDIAN, of all people, told a packed room at the conclusion of his act that the expected surge in diabetes in the United States, (perhaps a quadrupling in 20 years) is staring us right in the face. He stated that we would be fools to squander that opportunity. I felt bad that something so obvious to him had eluded our consciousness.
The federal government two years ago, highlighted a study that indicates a severe manpower shortage in podiatric medicine that could not be met by even tripling the current admission numbers to our schools. At the same time, Vision 2015 was...
Editor's note: Dr. Markinson's extended-length letter can be read here.
About six years ago, a college grad called my office and asked me if he could shadow me. He spent several weeks with me. In time, he became turned on to our profession. He applied to the colleges, was accepted to Scholl, and did satisfactory in his didactics. As March 20th approached, I spoke to him and wished him luck. At the same time, a student from Temple is rotating in my clinic. He too was anxiously awaiting the big day. The fourth year student from Chicago didn't get a match.
My present student was fortunate to get a good solid program. He was ranked in the top...
Editor's note: Dr. Marcus' extended-length letter can be read here.
03/29/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: 104 Applicants Not Matched for Residency Positions (Lawrence Oloff, DPM)
From: Steven D Epstein, DPM, Parent of a Podiatry Student
Since most of our podiatric medical schools are now affiliated with universities, it would seem that the most logical thing for these graduates to do while their academic credentials are still fresh is to apply to the physician assistant programs those universities, or nearby ones, may have, and spend an extra year or so re-training. This is not an ideal solution, but the profession has once again let its graduates down, and these folks have to make a living. Better to accumulate a few more tens of thousands of dollars of debt with the prospect of immediate and steady employment in the mid five figures than wait around for preceptorships that won't even get them licensed in podiatry. I also wonder what the long-term opportunities are for the many hundreds more per year of graduates who do get residencies - How many foot and ankle podiatric surgeons do we really need?
Steven D Epstein, DPM, Lebanon, PA, sdepstein@yahoo.com
I am disturbed that the student’s point of view has not been discussed. As the parent of a current student, I have to bring up what is happening in the schools now. The students are freaking out over this. The rumors flying around are that the pathway to fixing this problem is to fail as many of them as possible, if not through the 4 years, then by making the boards harder to pass. This is totally unacceptable. They are stressed enough getting through the rigorous curriculum without having to worry about residency shortages.
When our child was applying, we were told time and again that “everyone who passes the boards gets a residency.” First, we have to ...
Editor's Note: This parent's extended-length letter can be read here.
03/25/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: 104 Applicants Not Matched for Residency Positions (Allen Jacobs, DPM)
From: Michael Forman, DPM
Dr. Allen Jacobs makes a good point - how much training does a podiatrist need to do routine foot care? I don't have the answer to that; however, I don't think he/she needs three years of training, including advanced rear foot and ankle surgery. I believe that the minimally-trained podiatrist should be comfortable with forefoot surgery, biomechanics, and routine foot care. How long a training program is necessary to teach that? One year, two years? Our educators and residency directors can answer that better than I. After completing that program, let them apply for one or two more years of advanced training. Perhaps we have to re-evaluate the length of our training programs.
Michael Forman, DPM, Cleveland, OH, im4man@aol.com
All podiatric colleges, APMA, administrators, and state board licensing agencies should immediately analyze this crisis. There are multiple foot problems that can be treated by a DPM with 1 year of post-graduate training (residency, preceptorships, or fellowship) - certainly enough to have the ability to support oneself.
I can also understand that the profession, for various reasons, has decided to pursue the ideal that all U.S. podiatrists are foot and ankle surgeons by requiring a 3-year residency. Why accept students if they cannot have a path to licensure and earning a livelihood? Why develop such 3-year standards when 20% of the new graduates cannot attain it? We all want parity and respect for our profession; however, does that mean it is okay to throw 20% of the new graduates under the bus as it rolls down the road to MD parity?
George Pattis, DPM, Greenville, SC, georgepattis@aol.com
03/22/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: 104 Applicants Not Matched for Residency Positions
From: Narmo L. Ortiz, Jr., DPM, Howard J. Lepolstat, DPM
My suggestion to partially solve the problem would be to double the existing residency positions at each program and divide the salaries between the residents. If we all remember, about 15 to 20 years ago, podiatry residency positions did not pay even half of what they do now. Since the standard of living expenses has not increased by 50% from then, it makes some sense.
Narmo L. Ortiz, Jr., DPM, Marietta, GA, nlortizdpm@embarqmail.com
We are ignoring the gorilla in the room. That is the RIGHT to practice without a residency. We have forgotten that we are not a surgical specialty. We are a general specialty for the foot (and leg) which has the ability to sub-specialize, should the practitioner desire.
Any graduate DPM who has passed the national boards has the knowledge and skills to go directly into general practice. Evidently, not every graduate can get a post-graduate program. That may be something we have to live with for a while. The demand for dermatology and ophthalmology residencies is greater than the supply. So the unsuccessful applicants go into another specialty or into general practice. The same situation exists in dentistry. But I do not believe any MD or DDS is totally blocked from practice. And if they so choose, they can wait another year and apply again. BUT IT IS THEIR CHOICE.
To have graduate DPMs totally prevented from practicing because so many states have a post-graduate training requirement seems, to me, to be at least unethical, if not illegal. It is time for the APMA to get involved, with all the power and influence it can muster, to get the states to relax or modify that particular requirement.
Howard J. Lepolstat, DPM, Sun City West, AZ, teachrcomp@aol.com
03/16/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: PA Podiatrist Among Highest Paid by Big Pharma (Eric M. Hart, DPM)
From: Jesse Riley, DPM, Pete Smith, DPM
I agree with Dr. Hart. I feel that Dr. Joseph is to be commended for his achievements and for his positive representation of our profession within the medical community. I too have had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Joseph lecture in the past and his insights are timely, insightful, and void of any bias. Good for him for making a good living while doing it.
Jesse Riley, DPM, Evansville, IN, dr.jesseriley@gmail.com
Congratulations to Dr. Joseph for working his butt off and becoming one of, if not, the leading expert in the treatment of lower extremity infectious diseases. This is an exceptional accomplishment and could not have been made possible without outside funding. Dr. Joseph is an exceptional lecturer, author, and is about as unbiased an individual as I know. He is an advocate for podiatry, and the knowledge I/we have gained from him is invaluable in treatment of lower extremity infections. He is a credit to podiatry!
Pete Smith, DPM, Lancaster, PA, petesmithdpm@comcast.net
02/11/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: CA Podiatrist Discusses Treatment of Plantar Tears (Neil Hecht, DPM)
From: Daniel J. Tucker, DPM
I too must agree with Dr. Hecht. There is no indication for repair of an acute plantar fascial tear/rupture, regardless of the extent. The treatment of choice is conservative care, with protected immobilization as the primary focus.
Daniel. J. Tucker, DPM, Atlanta, GA, reekat@aol.com
01/08/2013
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1A
RE: NY Podiatrist Advises Against Cosmetic Foot Surgery (William Deutsch, DPM)
From: Jeffrey Kass, DPM
I concur with Dr. Deutsch. Dr. Positano's comments were disappointing. While, I am not big into "cosmetic surguries", I don't begrudge anyone who is. Quoting a case of nerve damage from an injection was a poor way of displaying one's opinion. Is hyaluronic acid even used to cushion feet? I thought pods were using fillers like Restalyne.
There is nothing wrong with being a surgeon and thinking like a surgeon (As long as you don't let it go to your head of course).
Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY, jeffckass@aol.com
