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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 17,259 Subscribers Daily
January 21, 2016 #5,583  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2016- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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| PM NEWS QUICK POLL |
Quick Poll
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Do you use or prescribe HBO treatments in your practice? |
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| PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS | |
DC Podiatrist Discusses Morton's Neuroma
Morton’s neuroma is an otherwise harmless cyst that causes numbness, and shooting or burning pain in the ball of the foot. “Toes that are forced into a tight space for a long time are subjected to extra pressure that then causes swelling and pain,” explains John S. Steinberg, DPM, director for MedStar Washington Hospital Center’s Podiatric Residency Program and a practicing podiatrist. “The same effect happens after repeated high-impact activities, including years of wearing high heels. Unfortunately, even minor pain may cause you to limp or change your gait, which leads to other problems because your natural walking mechanics are all off.”
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Dr. John Steinberg |
If the problem persists, foot specialists typically prescribe injections of cortisone or alcohol solution to reduce swelling; custom orthotics to correct foot mechanics and separate the toes; and/or physical therapy. Surgery—once the standard approach—is reserved for only the most extreme cases, notes Dr. Steinberg.
Source: WTOP [1/13/16]
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| PODIATRISTS AND SPORTS MEDICINE | |
NY Podiatrist Discusses Plantar Fascia Injuries
"What happens in a plantar fascia injury is you often feel a sudden burst, like a knife going through your foot," said Dr. Rock Positano, director of the non-operative foot and ankle service at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York." It's one of the more unpleasant, uncomfortable problems that an athlete or another person can experience. It's very rare for a person just to completely snap their plantar fascia, or even get a tear right away."
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Dr. Rock Positano |
Many who experience a tear "actually have the beginning of a plantar fascia injury a long time before they actually get the symptoms," Positano said. "There's a progression of this problem." Leaving the injury undiagnosed or untreated can lead to other problems, "mainly in the lower leg, the knee, the hip, or the back," Positano said. "You see it all the way up the chain."
Source: Christopher Dabe, The Times-Picayune [12/23/15] via Footprints [January 2016]
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| PODIATRISTS AND THE LAW | |
SC Podiatrist Indicted in Oxycodone Conspiracy
An Aiken doctor has been indicted for his role in a conspiracy to illegally distribute oxycodone. Dr. Mackie James Walker, Jr., a podiatrist, is one of multiple defendants alleged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to possess to distribute, and to distribute, oxycodone. Walker is also charged with two counts of distributing oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose, along with one count of using a telephone to facilitate the commission of a felony under the Controlled Substances Act.
Source: Regan Landau, WFXG [1/19/16]
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| PODIATRIC PRODUCTS IN THE NEWS | |
MI Podiatry Clinic Steps Into RFID for Tool Tracking
Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Specialists has automated the tracking of surgical instruments or tools used on its patients via radio frequency identification, in order to speed up the process of packing the tools onto trays, ensure that no instruments are left inside a patient or misplaced, and track their lifespan. The Surgical Safety Scanner system, provided by startup Surgical Scanner, of Brighton, MI, consists of passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) tags, handheld readers and software to manage the collected read data. The software also links each tag ID number with a particular instrument's photos, manufacturer, part number, and history.
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Dr. Jeff Szczepanski (photo: Tessa Lightly) |
The solution enables the clinic to overcome several challenges, says Jeff Szczepanski, DPM, a physician at the facility. Each surgery requires a specific set of tools, but it can be difficult to differentiate between one tool-packed tray and another. Many of the instruments look alike, so the wrong item could end up on a tray unless each tray is double- or triple-checked during the manual packing process. Once a packed tray is wrapped following sterilization, it can also be difficult to determine and confirm which tools are on it. As a result, the wrong tray could be taken to surgery. Additionally, Szczepanski says, the items are expensive (some priced at $300 to $400) and can end up missing. When this occurs, he adds, tracing back where a particular instrument was lost is often impossible.
Source: Claire Swedberg, RFID Journal [1/18/16]
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| QUERIES (CLINICAL) | |
Query: Dupuytren’s (Subungual) Exostosis
A 17 year old healthy male patient with initial medial onychia of the right hallux was treated via simple partial avulsion. The infection and pain was ablated via avulsion. X-rays showed medial exostosis, but were poorly radiographically imaged due to—I think—their being mostly cartilaginous. After only three weeks post-avulsion, a hard lesion grew into the paronychial gutter; and this became painful. I then performed a Winograd-type excision using a rongeur and curetting the bone down to the distal phalanx along the full length of the medial distal hallux. Biopsy results were “Dupuytren’s (subungual) exostosis.”
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Dupuytren's (subungual) exostosis |
Initially the wound was healing well, but the centrum of the wound is again breaking down (arrows in the pictures). From the abstract of Miller-Breslow, et al.: Dupuytren’s (subungual) exostosis. Am J Surg Pathol. 12:368-378, 1988: “This acquired exostosis is benign; local excision is curative. However, recurrence is common (53%) after incomplete excision or when the lesion has not achieved full maturation.” The question is what do I do now?
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| QUERIES (NON-CLINICAL) | |
Query: Radial Shockwave for Heel Pain
I am looking for feedback from users of radial shockwave for heel pain. I was wondering how effective PM News subscribers have found it?
Greg Mowen, DPM, Ventnor, NJ
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| QUERIES (MEDICAL-LEGAL) | |
Query: Assistant's Fee
If Surgeon A is assisted by Surgeon B and the insurance carrier does not pay Surgeon B (the assistant), are there any legal issues restricting Surgeon A from paying Surgeon B for his assistant fee?
Barry Finkelstein, DPM, Bronx, NY
Editor's comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. As a general rule, the primary surgeon is free to negotiate any fee for his or her assistant's fee. There was a time when insurance companies paid 20% of the surgeon's fee to the assistant. Many insurance companies then cut that payment to 16%. Increasingly, insurance companies are refusing to cover assistants' fees for most elective surgery, deeming it unnecessary .
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) | |
RE: The Passing of Allen Clinton Struble Jr., DPM
Dr. Allen Clinton Struble Jr., 91, passed away Sunday, January 17, 2016, at his home. Dr. Struble practiced podiatry in Ellwood City for 48 years. He graduated from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine earning his doctorate degree in 1953.
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Dr. Allen Clinton Struble, Jr. |
Dr. Struble served in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps during World War II. Active in community service, he served on the Ellwood City School Board, the Wayne Twp. Municipal Authority, and the Lawrence County Mental Health Board.
Source: Elwood City Ledger [1/18/16]
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) - PART 1 | |
From: Steven Kaniadakis, DPM
I am very experienced in application development. You will be making at least one more job for the person making the mobile app for you. I guess you are seeking more patient access and quality of care. I think having someone make you a "mobile app" will not likely be your practice's solution. It will likely create problems for you and your staff. The notion to dabble into this type of added technology might not be the way you would like to spend your best resources, your free time, and whatever is your amount of expendable money.
You need at least two (2) technical staff members, no less than 50-100% devoted to your office IT department. The staff members should be working right in your office. One staff member needs to know your practice and know the way your current technology operates, including your current website itself, and your overall medical and business practices. One member must spend at least 25% to 50% on social media and networking matters.
In short, mobile app development tends to be a gimmick for those not experienced in technology. If you want to dabble, then I think you will need a lot of extra money or a lot of extra time to invest to maintain the mobile development. You may lose patients and your patience both!
Steven Kaniadakis, DPM, Saint Petersburg, FL
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) | |
From: George Jacobson, DPM
The article says the "S&P fair value above 20,000", which has to be an error. Since the S&P closed at 1880.33, he must meant 2000 or was referring to the Dow which closed at 15,988.08.
George Jacobson, DPM, Hollywood, FL
Editor's note: The number was supposed to read S&P 2,000.
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| YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP | |
RE: Outrageous Shoe of the Day
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Can Spring be far away? |
Source: Elisabeth Thorsen via Virtual Shoe Museum
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MEETING NOTICES
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| CLASSIFIED ADS - PART 1 - ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS |
.FELLOWSHIP – DIABETIC FOOT & WOUND (TEXAS)
One position for a 12-month TMB-approved Diabetic Foot and Wound fellowship beginning July 1, 2016. Candidate must have completed a podiatric residency/plastic surgical residency/general surgery residency and be eligible for Texas Medical License. Training involves all aspect of diabetic foot management. Curriculum focuses on surgical limb salvage, and medical management of the complex wound patient. Interested candidates should email their CV, personal statement and 3 letters of recommendation to latonya.rosales@utsouthwestern.edu. UT Southwestern is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE - FULL TIME/ PART TIME WISCONSIN
Opportunities to serve residents of long-term care facilities in Madison and Eau Claire areas of Wisconsin. High earning potential with competitive benefits as part of a 40 year old company for the right candidates. Contact ckestner@preferredpodiatry.com for additional information.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Very busy practice seeking a full-time, self-motivated and hard-working podiatry associate. Competitive salary offered. Please email CV to: podiatrists@icloud.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - WESTERN PHILADELPHIA SUBURBS
Multi doctor group has an associate position available to join our busy practice. Candidate must have a minimum PMSR/36 with RRA training. Our practice is extremely diversified with all aspects of podiatry including wound care. If you are well trained, outgoing, personable and would like to join our team, please e-mail a cover letter and your cv to joinourgroup2016@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE - CALIFORNIA
Busy three office practice in Santa Cruz County, California seeking new associate. Must be BQ or BC. Full scope of patient care. Competitive salary, and health insurance. Come join us on the beautiful California coast. Please forward cover letter and CV to skyandellie@yahoo.com.
ASSOCIATE WANTED - SOUTHWEST, FL
Associate position: now or July '16: must be BC or BQ by ABFAS, ability to work independently on complex cases. Hospital rounds, ER calls, great work ethic, team players needed. Fellowship experience preferred, not mandatory. LOI, LOR from director, CV. great salary + bonus, partnership buy-in. Naples, FL klamdpm@hotmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - TEXAS - DALLAS SUBURBS
Seeking well rounded individual to join our well established, modern practice. Surgery, orthopedics, wound care, primary care and sports medicine. Very competitive salary with bonus structure and benefits. Early partnership opportunity for the right person. This is a rare opportunity. Please send letter of interest and CV to: Podiatrysbest@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA
Established practice seeking ethical, skilled, hard working associate in summer 2016. Must be BQ(or BC) ABFAS and 3 year residency trained. Competitive salary and benefits with bonus and early partnership opportunities. Should have strong interest in advanced wound care. Great location and community. Forward cover letter and CV to: scsoledocs@gmail.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW YORK CITY & QUEENS
High Income Potential. One of the fastest growing podiatry practices in New York City and Queens seeks a hard-working podiatrist who participates with HealthFirst, Fidelis, and other Medicaid plans. Preferably a Spanish-speaking podiatrist. Contact me at Podocare123@gmail.com
IMMEDIATE POSITIONS AVAILABLE - ORANGE AND DUTCHESS COUNTIES- NEW YORK
Looking for podiatrists to see residents in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities in New York, specifically in Orange and Dutchess Counties. Great opportunity for full-time or part-time income. Positions available immediately! inquiries to: phasetwopodiatry@gmail.com
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 16,500 DPMs AND STUDENTS
Whether you have used equipment to sell or are offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 16,500 subscribers. For details,click here or write to:bblock@prodigy.net or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.
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| CLASSIFIED ADS PART 2 - PRACTICES FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE |
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - PADNET SYSTEM
Padnet System for Sale: $5,500. Complete system. The computer has been erased and it’s software updated by Padnet. I will include the rolling stand as well if the purchaser wants to pay the shipping or pick it up on the west coast of Florida. Contact: venicefootclinic@comcast.net
PRACTICE FOR SALE - BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
Have you ever dreamed of owning a practice where you can see 0-50 patients daily, average 100 new patients monthly, have zero accounts receivable, gross $440K per year, live in a beautiful community with skiing, hiking, fishing and boating on your doorstep? Contact pistone@telus.net or call 250-754-4192.
PRACTICE FOR SALE – PENNSYLVANIA
Great opportunity for a new practitioner to step into a busy group practice with one doctor retiring. Practice is well established with a good mix of RFC, rearfoot and forefoot surgery, wound care, and diabetic foot care. Full EHR implementation. Practice is in a medical office building with many specialties providing an excellent referral base. Great small town to work in and raise a family. Approx 45 minutes to Baltimore Owner willing to finance and stay during transition. Contact: papodiatry616@gmail.com
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 16,500 DPMs AND STUDENTS
Whether you have used equipment to sell or are offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 16,500 subscribers. For details,click here or write to:bblock@prodigy.net or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.
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| Disclaimers |
Acceptance and publication by this newsletter of an advertisement, news story, or letter does not imply endorsement or approval by Barry Block or Kane Communications of the company, product, content or ideas expressed in this newsletter. Podiatric Medical News does not represent the views, and is a separate entity from Podiatry Management® Magazine and Podiatry Management® Online. Any information pertaining to legal matters should not be considered to be legal advice, which can only be obtained via individual consultation with an attorney. Information about Medicare billing should be confirmed with your State CAC.
THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR
ENTITY TO WHICH IT IS ADDRESSED AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS
PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE.
If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an
employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the
intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly
prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please
immediately notify me and you are hereby instructed to delete all
electronic copies and destroy all printed copies.
DISCLAIMER: Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be
either timely or free of viruses.
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- Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.
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