The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 10,700 Podiatrists Daily

February 28, 2008 #3,180 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2008- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.

IL Podiatrist Stresses Danger to Diabetics of Going Barefoot

Local patients seeking to take control of their diabetes packed into the Decatur Memorial Hospital classrooms for the DMH Wellness Center’s Diabetes Update 2008. Longtime Decatur podiatrist Dr. Michael Clark kicked off the lectures with a presentation about diabetic foot care. As he clicked through slides of different complications, Clark discussed the proper way to care for the feet and avoid such maladies.

Dr. Michael Clark

He said that the most important situation people with diabetes should avoid related to their feet is going barefoot, even at home. He then flashed an x-ray image of a woman who had stepped on a needle on her carpeted floor. "It’s important in diabetes to have proper footgear," Clark said. "You need it for protection. You need it to keep pressure off of problem areas in your foot."

He said that extra-depth shoes made specifically for those with diabetic foot problems are a good way to avoid potentially debilitating injuries. "Yeah, you’re not going to go to the senior prom in them probably, but they’re not that bad anymore," he said jokingly.

Source: Annie Getsinger, Herald & Review (Decatur, IL) [2/21/08]

IL Podiatrist Jailed on Additional Drug, Sex, and Videotape Charges

A 63-year-old Algonquin podiatrist charged with using a spy camera to record himself having sex with women in exchange for drugs is in Kane County Jail in lieu of $50 million bail on 95 new felony charges. Steven P. Loheide was arrested Monday night at his home on drug and eavesdropping charges.

Dr. Steven P. Loheide

Kane County prosecutors allege that Loheide exchanged prescription drugs for sex 25 times between March 1, 2005 and Sept. 30, 2007. Authorities also allege that during that time, Loheide videotaped himself 29 times having sex with patients in his East Dundee office without the patients’ consent.

In March 2006, Loheide surrendered his prescription-writing privileges after an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Joanna Zoltag, DEA public information officer, said Loheide did not keep records of medications coming in and out of his office over a two-year period.

Source: David Fitzgerald, Northwest Herald [2/26/08]

Baby Boomers Will Double Medicare Costs by 2017: CMS

National health spending is expected to have grown 6.7% last year, reaching $2.2 trillion overall, and is expected to hold steady at that growth rate over the next 10 years, CMS actuaries told reporters. Still, healthcare spending will account for 20% of GDP by 2017 if left unchecked. Andrea Sisko, an economist in the National Health Statistics Group, said that a loosening of Medicaid payment restrictions drove a spike in hospital spending, but that overall, the sector is expected to see slower growth in the later years.

While national spending should be stable over the next decade, Medicare outlays are expected to grow dramatically as more baby boomers become eligible. Medicare spending is expected to come in at $427.3 billion in 2007, ballooning to more than twice that amount, $884 billion, in 2017, according to the CMS.

Source: Matthew DoBias, Modern Healthcare [2/26/08]

Query: Bunion Shield for Infant?

I had a 14-month old boy sent over by his pediatrician with excessive pronation and hallux valgus deformity bilaterally. Both big toes are underlapping his 2nd toes. He is walking normally for his age and neurological development appears normal. I placed a pre-fab UCBL sub-ortholene plate into his shoes to compensate for the excessive pronation (a child's size 2/3 fit perfectly).

My question is whether there is some type of bunion shield that I can find or have fabricated to fit the tiny feet of this 14-month old to pull his big toes straight?

Tom Silver, DPM, Minneapolis, MN

Query: No Plumbing Needed Automatic Processor?

Is anyone aware of a relatively inexpensive machine or system (other than digital) to develop office-based x-rays that does not involve processors requiring plumbing?

Jerome Leff, DPM, NY, NY

RE: Diagnose This Lesion (Philip E. Larkins, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

If bacteria and fungal cultures are negative you need to rule out a dermatitis, contact, allergic, etc.. You also need to consider a viral infection such as herpes. I have seen a similar type rash on a woman's feet and a complete history revealed a herpetic STD. I would biopsy the dome of the vesicles and look for viral inclusions as well as the leading edge of the lesion. You can also try a topical antiviral such as acyclovir.

Mike Carroll, DPM, Crown Point, IN, drcarroll4u@hotmail.com

Based on appearance alone one must also consider Viral organism. Although the absence of pain is a mitigating factor, Herpetic-type lesions are not uncommon in the feet. Any history of shingles?

Dan Klein, DPM, Fort Smith, AR, toefixer@aol.com

I'd guess pustular psoraisis.

Paul Busman DPM,RN Cohoes, NY, brewerpaul@aol.com

It could be dishidrotic eczema or psoriasis.

Bret Ribotsky, DPM, Baco Raton, FL, Ribotsky@Doctorbret.com

RE: Are Those Orthotics Really Custom-Made?
From: Susan L. Boren

Editor’s note: This extended-length note can be read at:
http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=18151&start=1

PRACTICE FOR SALE - PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA

The office is 0.2 miles away from the hospital. Good mix of Medicine, Surgery, Wound care, and general podiatric care. Wound care center privileges available. No HMO's. Please call 1-772-475-7920 or derrico@pol.net for details

Connecticut- Part time or Full time position available for a PSR 24 trained Podiatrist in the New Haven Area. We are seeking a hard working, ethical, charismatic practitioner for a well rounded established office Please email resumes to Surgeonseven@aol.com. Position available ASAP or July.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FLORIDA , NAPLES

Great opportunity for PSR- 24/36 BE/BC podiatrist with strong surgical skills to join multi-office practice. Hospital privileges available at 648 bed hospital system, 200 bed hospital system and multiple surgical centers. Candidate should have the skills and desire to perform rearfoot surgery including Charcot reconstruction and ankle surgery. Florida has a great scope of practice law and we rotate for ER call at all 4 hospitals. Candidate needs to be ethical and motivated. Established practitioner or new practitioner OK. Base salary, percentage, benefits including 401K. Fax CV to (239)566-8778 or Email CV to Drgordon@gulfcoastfootcare.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - AUSTIN, TEXAS

15 year established practice with good mix of surgery and clinical patients. Nice office condo for sale with practice or lease. Current podiatrist will transition the practice. 300-400K yearly gross. Flexible payment options MRobsonDPM@aol.com

CASE CONSULTING

Dennis Shavelson, DPM is now accepting referrals of difficult cases involving biomechanics, surgical complications, diagnostic and treatment dilemma’s and subtalar stenting from DPM’S. Full reporting with second opinion only, rapid return after care and assumption of care options. Medicare and Out-of-Network Only. (212) 288-3668 or drsha@lifestylepodiatry.com

PODIATRISTS TO SHARE OFFICE SPACE - BROOKLYN, BRONX

Office space to rent on busy 737 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn. New Bronx building and offices at 1250 E 223 St. Bronx. PRIVATE OFFICE, 3-4 treatment rooms, separate receptionist area, waiting room and 2 bathrooms.CALL CRISPIN ADAMS: (917) 301-6284

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

P/T ASSOCIATE POSITION - QUEENS, NY

10 yr old practice seeks motivated, surgically-trained individual. Fax CV with hours available to (718) 458-0053.

ASSOCIATE WANTED – NEW YORK IMMEDIATE OPENING

Busy multi-dimensional practice; 70 miles north of New York City . Currently four (4)-doctor practice. looking to expand – all phases of podiatric medicine. contact: (845) 454-8308 EXT: 106

ASSOCIATE WANTED -BOCA RATON-DELRAY BEACH AREA

Great opportunity-must be hard-working, reliable, Responsible and good with patients & staff-surgical Training a plus-partnership after 1yr. Florida License required fax resume to 561-865-2225.

WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (5x) for only $85

PM Classified Ads Reach over 10,700 DPM's and Students

Whether you have used equipment to sell or our offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 10,700 DPM's. Write bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451 Ext 110.

• To Post a message, send it to:    bblock@podiatrym.com
• Notes should be original and may not be submitted to other publications or listservs without our express written permission.
• Notes must be in the following form:
  RE: (Topic)
  From: (your name, DPM)
  Body of letter. Be concise. Limit to 250 words or less). Use Spellchecker
  Your name, DPM City/State
• Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.