The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 10,600 Podiatrists Daily

January 02, 2008 #3,131 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Final Results of PM News Poll

Are you in favor of the new ACFAS policy of no longer requiring APMA membership as a prerequisite for ACFAS membership renewal?

PM News Poll Results 12/31/07

With 1,201 votes cast , our poll shows that podiatrists oppose ACFAS’s policy by a little less than than a two to one majority.

Charcot Surgery By IL Podiatrist Returns Patient to Normal Activities

Diabetic Cathy Ciszewski said she had Charcot foot for a year before she was correctly diagnosed. "I was walking on broken bones." Charcot sometimes can be treated by immobilizing the foot in a cast or boot or by wearing custom shoes or braces. But Ciszewski had such a bad case, she needed surgery. In 2002, Oak Lawn podiatrist John Grady reconstructed Ciszewski's left foot. He re-broke her foot bones, repositioned them, and secured them with plates and screws. Ciszewski was in a cast for five months, and it took a year to fully recover.

Dr. Dr. John Grady

Last January, Grady performed Charcot surgery on Ciszewski's right foot. The retired nurse is doing fine now. She can walk, hike and ride her horse without pain. "I'm an active 55," she said. Ciszewski is careful to control her blood sugar, and she wears shoes with good arch support. "They're very ugly shoes," she said. "I'll never be a model for Manolo Blahniks."

Source: Jim Ritter, Chicago Sun-Times [12/30/07]

Barefoot-Like Shoes Not For Everyone: IL Podiatrist

The Nike Free is a shoe which looks like no shoe in sports. The upper is a mesh that has small holes in it, and it allows the foot to be encased, but also move pretty freely. There is no heel counter, but the heel fits snugly in the shoe as the inner sole allows the foot to sit naturally in a neutral position.

Dr. Lisa Schoene

Not everyone is sold on the barefoot-like shoes, though. "They aren't for everyone," said Chicago podiatrist Dr. Lisa Schoene, spokeswoman for the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association. "Someone whose feet pronate, or roll inward as they walk, for example, would have very sore feet at the end of the day if they wore them."

No shoe is universal, Schoene said . "Just like you buy different equipment for different sports, you need different shoes for different activities," she said. "And what works for one person doesn't work for the next."

Source: Leslie Mann, Chicago Tribune [12/30/07]

Query: E-Mailing Patients

Is anyone e-mailing with patients for simple questions, medication refills, etc? If so, how is it working? Do you think this manner of communications actually saves you time, or adds value to your care in the eyes of your patients? What kind of secure or encrypted email system do you use?

David e. Gurvis, DPM, Avon, IN

RE: Patients and Nail Polish (Larry Aronberg, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

Our office policy is relatively simple for patients wearing nail polish and is being seen for a nail-related condition:

1) A member of our staff simply hands the patient some gauze and nail polish remover and politely requests that the patient remove the nail polish, with an explanation of why it is important for the doctor to visualize the nail without polish.

2) If the patient is elderly or unable to reach her own feet, a member of the staff will be happy to assist with removing the nail polish.

3) If a patient just spent a fortune on a pedicure that day to get "her nails done", and does not want the nail polish removed during that visit, she will be asked to reschedule and to not wear any nail polish during the next visit.

This seems to keep everyone happy, while not compromising care.

David S. Wander, DPM, Philadelphia, PA, dldjwander@comcast.net

It may seem like a somewhat innocuous problem, but it actually does come up quite often. Our own office policy has been to nicely let our patients know that it's not our job to remove their nail polish, and we can't treat what we can't see, so we'll care for any other problems necessary that visit, and reappoint them for nail care. The obvious exception is an acute infection, which we will take care of, but still postpone the other nail care until their follow-up infection visit, at which time they've been instructed to arrive sans polish. I hope we're not being too Grinchy and are within ethical/legal boundries, as we've never questioned our own policy on this matter.

Art Gudeon, DPM, Rego Park, NY, afootdoc@ix.netcom.com

Of course, we have the same problem in our office but I casually mention that it is difficult to evaluate their nails w/ polish on and they usually seem to get it. if not , the patients that come in polish-we have a bottle of polish remover in each treatment room & when the staff is prepping the feet for me, they hand the patient a wad of cotton w/ the bottle, & ask them to remove their polish. It seems to work fine.

Cynthia Ferrelli, DPM, Buffalo, NY, drfoot1@roadrunner.com

RE: Beam Me Up Scotty

A few years ago, I had a patient who presented with a complaint of a painful corn on her 5th toe. In the course of my initial evaluation, I asked if she had tried any over-the-counter pads or remedies. The patient cheerfully replied "Oh yes, I've tried Mr. Spock's corn pads." I could almost swear I heard Dr. Scholl rolling in his grave.

Robert P. Wunderlich, DPM, San Antonio, TX

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHANDLER/GILBERT/PHOENIX, ARIZONA

Multi-location office and soon to open a third location. Seeking a well-trained graduate of a PSR 24+/36 Residency. This is a practice with a nice mix of 35% surgery/trauma, 20% diabetic/wounds, 25% biomechanics, 20% pediatric. No nursing homes. ER Call for 2 hospitals. Opportunity for partnership at 2 surgery centers. Very modern office with EMR, U/S, Digital X-Ray, ESWT, Vascular Testing Machine. Excellent referral base, and a well-trained certified staff. Board eligible/certified a plus. Competitive salary, bonus structure, benefits. Please e-mail CV and references to main@footanklespecialtycenters.com or FAX to 480-782-1290.

FOR RENT AND IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY ARIZONA

Excellent free-standing location and exposure in Sun City, AZ. Across
from Boswell Hospital. Has been a podiatric office for 15 years with an approved Medicare SurgiCenter w/in the office. Office is a turn-key facility and can include present equipment. 3750 sq ft with 9 tx rooms, large reception and BO area. Email tbirdpod@cox.net or 602-510-2871.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA

Multi-specialty group is looking to add another Podiatric Surgeon or General Podiatrist to our well-established group. Office locations in northwestern Pennsylvania. Unlimited opportunities exist for the right Associate, wound care experience is a plus. Please forward your CV to adminsec@ips-mso.com

ASSOCIATION POSITION - IOWA

Associate position with potential partnership in a multi-office,
multi-faceted practice, four-physician office. Staff privileges in many hospitals and ASCs. Applicant needs to be personable, skilled, ethical and hard-working. Competitive base and incentive compensation and benefits. Fax CV and letter to 712-255-1389.

ASSOCIATE POSITION/ BUY-IN -COASTAL SE NC

Excellent opportunity for well trained, articulate, hardworking individual competent in all phases of practice. Long term position available with buy-in also an option. Strong salary and benefits. Gorgeous coastal area. Don't miss this one! Contact kinggy@atmc.net
PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO --NORTHWEST INDIANA

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Full and part time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com -- www.homephysicians.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION- KANSAS CITY, MO

Excellent opportunity for a hard working, ethical podiatrist to join a vibrant, successful and growing podiatric medical and surgical practice. Dedicated, supportive staff with strong marketing and medical knowledge. Must be board eligible/certified. PSR/24. Partnership opportunity. Competitive salary, bonus structure, benefits. Wonderful place to raise a family. Fax CV to 816-455-8901

ASSOCIATE-TO-PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY NEW HAMPSHIRE

Established practice located 1 hour north of Boston in tax-free New Hampshire is seeking a well-trained graduate of a 24-month surgical/general podiatry residency. This is a practice with a nice mix of surgery, biomechanics, injuries, diabetic and general care. No nursing homes. Very modern office with EMR, US, excellent referral base, and a well-trained staff. E-mail inquiries howardbon@aol.com

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