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Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

March 14, 2012 #4,409 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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We've just mailed the March 2012 issue of Podiatry Management. This 228-page special Who's Who Buyers' Guide issue includes our cover story, "Are You Flying Solo or in Formation," as well as an assortment of features, including  the second section of America's Most Influential DPMs. You'll also find our informative columns, and a CPME-approved CME. 

March 2012 Podiatry Management

Stretching Can Prevent Some Foot Ailments: DC Podiatrist

Each time you take a step, your foot is forced to carry two times your body weight, says Dr. Arnold Ravick, a spokesman for the American Podiatric Medical Association. When you run, the pressure is six or seven times your body weight, or several tons. Typical foot ailments that develop from overuse or improper care include arthritis, tendonitis, joint and muscle problems and plantar fasciitis, a common type of heel pain. To avoid the pain in the first place, you can practice a few exercises that will help stretch out the lifespan of your feet. 

Dr. Arnold Ravick

Ravick suggests standing on your tip-toes for 30 seconds. Repeat five times. Then sit back on your heels for 30 seconds, and repeat five times. Ravick recommends performing these stretches at least once a day, preferably right before you go to bed because muscles tighten overnight. Stretching at night helps you to circumvent pain instead of just trying to fix it once you have it. If you run, Ravick suggests stretching before and after, and also at night.

Source: Anna Sachse, Quad-Cities Online [3/11/12] 

OCPM Director of Institutional Advancement Receives DMSA Award 

Mark Syroney, OCPM Director of Institutional Advancement & Executive Director of the Alumni Association, recently received the 2012 Distinguished Marketing & Sales Award (DMSA) of Cleveland. The DMSA is the profession’s premier honor to acknowledge excellence and community recognition for outstanding marketing and sales achievements. The 51st annual DMSA program was hosted on February 23rd at the InterContinental Cleveland Hotel.  

(L-R) JT Krohe, DMSA Event Chair, Mark Syroney, and Paul Matsen, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Cleveland Clinic.

Mark was recognized for his years of service to the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in which he has been responsible for; 1) raising over $2.6 million via major gifts, campaigns, and special events, 2) creating a new marketing/public relations program/strategy, 3) developing a new alumni association and alumni programs, and 4) directing enhanced continuing medical education programs for the college.

MA Podiatrist Operates on Women's Basketball Star

Brooke Coderre a sophomore guard on the Franklin Pierce University women’s basketball team, was limited to just 16 games this past season and was unable to play after Jan. 17 due to plantar fasciitis in both feet.

Dr. Richard Cullen

The surgery to repair the right foot took place Feb.8 in Needham, MA under the supervision of Dr. Richard Cullen, a board-certified podiatrist with a concentration in sports-related foot injuries. Brooke Coderre noted that Dr. Cullen had experience in treating members of the Boston Celtics, including former great Kevin McHale.

Source: Brendan McGair, The Call [3/11/12]

CA Podiatrist Wins Auction to Have Lunch With His Opponent

A rough year for Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) just got rougher. Democrat Dr. Lee Rogers, a podiatrist and Democratic candidate for the nomination to oppose McKeon this November, won a charity auction earning a lunch for four with the incumbent. And he has invited three local reporters to be his guests for the festivities. Rogers won the auction – benefiting the College of the Canyons Foundation – with a $300 bid, the only bid made.

Dr. Lee Rogers

McKeon has made headlines of late for his questionable ethics. He used his campaign account to funnel more than $260,0000 in payments to his wife for her work on his behalf, making her his highest paid staffer. And congressional investigators have reportedly alleged he got a cut-rate home loan from Countrywide. Perhaps Rogers might ask McKeon about these ethical issues over their lunch.

Source: Josh Israel, Think Progress [3/12/12]

RE: Atypical Forefoot Pain (Elliot Udell, DPM)
From: Peter Bregman, DPM

Dr. Udell's suggestion to order an MRI to look for a neuroma is not very accurate. A "neuroma" which is a damaged swollen nerve might, in fact, show up on an MRI, however an entrapment of the nerve may not.  If the pain is coming from entrapment of the deep peroneal nerve, you may want to try a diagnostic block between the base of the first and second metatarsals. You may also note that there may be some tarsal bossing adjacent to that nerve from the met-cuneiform articulation. 

Dorsiflexion of the big toe may be entrapping the nerve via the extensor hallucis brevis. If this is the case, then do NOT inject with alcohol to further damage the nerve without first trying to decompress it. Certainly, you can look for more proximal pathology. Perform a clinical exam of the lower back. Electodiagnostic studies will be helpful to rule out radiculopathy, but not entrapment of that nerve, so a false negative does not mean there is no distal entrapment.

Peter Bregman, DPM, Las Vegas, NV, drbregman@gmail.com

RE: Lapidus or Fusion (Philip Graham, DPM)
From: Will Godfrey, MA, DPM

I recommend doing both procedures using AccuMed Plates & Screws (titanium). Early ambulation is permitted in a walking boot as the fixation construct is so very incredibly stable. Of course, it's dealer's choice: one may want to separate procedures to (1) reduce the operative and tourniquet time (which is good in older, more fragile patients), and (2) to avoid the 50% reduction of fee payment for the second procedure.
 
The AccuMed reamers make the procedure for 1st MTPJ fusion go quickly. Remove the hardened plate of bone immediately below the damaged/arthritic cartilage (sub-chondral) and fenestrate with a small drill tap, which makes for a fast healing time. I typically see bony bridging on x-ray as early as 4-5 weeks (that is, in the young, healthy, non-tobacco users).

Use the same set (AccuMed Foot/"Small bone-joint Fixation set") for the Lapidus. Note that AccuMed's plates come in left and right, and in sizes; as well as with pre-sizing templates, so one does not have to 'touch' the foot intra-operatively with any implant they are not going to end up using.
 
Will Godfrey, MA, DPM, Horizon City, TX, williamtrekkie@earthlink.net

RE: Becoming a Certified Coder (Charles F. Ross, DPM)
From: Michael G. Warshaw, DPM
 
The American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine sponsors a series of 2-day preparation courses leading to the examination provided by The Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists, which in turn leads to a certification in podiatry coding, Certified Podiatry Coding Specialist (CPODCS).
 
Michael G. Warshaw, DPM, Ravenna, OH, mgwarshaw@aol.com

RE: Study Guides for ABPS Re-certification Exam (Ann Miller, RN, MHA)
From: Andrew Shapiro, DPM
 
I'd like to alert PM News readers about a negative experience I had with Podiatryprep.com (Foot & Ankle Research Consortium, Inc.). On the recommendation from a PM News posting, I purchased the ABPS Re-certification version for $350. I selected them because they advertise "interactive examination simulations" and their order form includes "Questions and Answers." The (CD) study material arrived with no such  "Q &As". It was strictly a study guide. Since I had numerous study guides already, I had no use for it. I tried to contact them by phone and e-mail numerous times. Their only response, by e-mail, was an offer for me to purchase an additional "Surgical Q&A CD" for $250!  Buyer beware.
 
Andrew Shapiro, DPM, Valley Stream, NY, drshapbark@aol.com

RE: ICD-10 Preparation (Joseph Borreggine, DPM)
From: Chris Orlando, DPM

I'd like to know who is behind the ICD-10 movement and how we can stop it....Now. It seems to me that it is the insurance carriers and CMS who are waging a beautifully orchestrated campaign to avoid paying claims and punishing "evil" doctors and hospitals. Why is the medical community accepting this? What are all the alphabet groups (AMA, APMA, etc.) that represent the medical community doing? It seems to me that our leadership is okay with this, the same way politicians are okay with $5 a gallon for gasoline. What about us? Why can't we just say NO? The excuse that the new codes will be more accurate is hogwash and propaganda.
 
Chris Orlando, DPM, Hartsdale, NY, cao252@aol.com

RE: ABPS Name Change (Craig Breslauer, DPM)
From: Mark Wolpa, DPM

I think the debate on a possible name change should include not only whether it would be a positive move for our profession, but also what name would be best.

I am not an attorney, but do have intimate experiences with trademarks, and feel that changing the ABPS to The American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery as suggested is far from a done deal, even if the membership concurs.

In order to secure the name it has to be approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). During their evaluation the USPTO reviews trademarked names for anysimilarity, as in American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. If it makes it through that process, there is a...

Editor's note: Dr. Wolpa's extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: CA Podiatrist Discusses Fungal Infections (Dennis Shavelson, DPM)
From: Carolyn McAloon, DPM

Dr. Shavelson, you are of course quite right. The quotes attributed to me are taken from a Woman's Day article from last year. It must have been a slow news day for them to be posted on PM News last week. Anyway, I ask that we consider the source and read the entire article before passing judgment in a public forum such as this. The focus of this article was what can be done at home for some common foot problems. It was obviously not intended to be about evidence-based medicine or the care that is delivered in our offices. 

While we all do our best to educate health writers and promote our specialty when speaking with reporters, in the end, they will write about what they think will sell magazines. No worries, though. When those home remedies fail to provide the results the public seeks, they will be looking for that laser treatment or nail restoration to which some attach their professional reputation.
 
Carolyn McAloon, DPM, Castro Valley, CA, drmcaloon@bayareafootcare.com

Editor's note: "Podiatrists in the News" is designed to showcase podiatrists who have appeared in the media. It is not designed to convey state-of-the-art treatments, although these occasionally appear in this section.

Codingline & PM News
In conjunction with AAPPM Present
The Greenbrier Coding & Practice Management Workshop - August 20-22
(Following the 2012 APMA Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC)  

The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV

Speakers: Harry Goldsmith, John Guiliana, Barry Block, Michael Brody, Paul Kesselman, Jonathan Moore, Rem Jackson, Chad Schwarz, and other nationally-known authorities. 

Earlybird Bonus Until April 1 - Save $50 

Click Here for information or to Register

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - SHOCKWAVE MACHINE 

D-Actor 200 by Storz Medical. High Frequency Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment (EPAT) System. A little over a year old, excellent results for plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Must sell;  practice merger. Selling for 18,000 (new machine >30K) Email: footdoc21@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHWEST IOWA

A well-established, midwest multi-physician practice with strong hospital affiliations seeking FT podiatrist. Applicant should be well trained surgical physician, completed a 24-36 month residency, & board eligible. Practice offers high surgical volume, advanced wound care and good mix of general podiatry. Competitive salary, excellent benefits. Fax resume: 712-258-9977 Diane Coulter, Office Manager.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SEATTLE, WA AREA

Established podiatric clinic looking for an associate to join our team, 5 offices located around the greater Seattle, WA area. Great base salary, benefits and friendly work environment. Please send resume to:seattlefootdoctor@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – ALBANY, NEW YORK

Solo practitioner looking to wind down after 29 years. Immediate position available in a well- established diversified practice. Must be ethical, hardworking and committed to quality patient care. Must have good communication and surgical skills. Patient base established with additional growth present. Excellent salary & benefits. Please send cover letter and resume to McBride719@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS - MULTIPLE STATES

Podiatrist Needed in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, Texas, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Indiana, Oklahoma, Connecticut and Vermont. Expanding multi-state medical practice seeking podiatrists to service long-term care community residing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. We offer an established patient base, scheduling, equipment allowance and cover travel expenses. Provide generous compensation, bonus opportunities, disability, health insurance benefits, malpractice coverage and flexible scheduling. Looking for a Podiatrist with excellent skills, able to provide expert and compassionate care to patients. Email CV to: careers@aggeus.org or call 773-770-0140 x300/x305. www.aggeus.org

POSITION AVAILABLE – CENTRAL WYOMING

Well established solo practitioner looking for an associate leading to partnership at a busy, modern practice in a great location. Friendly personality and good communication skills a must. Competitive salary and benefits. Please send letter of introduction and CV to: wyofootdoc@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW YORK

WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER. Join a modern, well-established 42-year-old podiatric medical/surgical practice within a multi-specialty office. Located just 20 minutes from NYC. Must be responsible, compassionate, driven, and self-starter. Enjoy cross-referrals from other specialists and support of medical assistants, office managers, and medical billers with over 50 years combined experience. Utilize modern technology: state-of-the-art diagnostic ultrasonography, fluoroscopy, ESWT (machine is owned by practice), physical therapy, x-ray, circulation testing, NCV, and in-office operatory suite. Very strong and effective advertising/marketing program. No nursing homes, No HMOs, No Medicaid, No Medicare. Must be licensed for podiatry in New York. Send cover letter/CV to: linchpindpm@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – BROOKLYN NY

Busy multi-specialty Medical office in Brooklyn, NY is seeking an experienced podiatrist. We are offering great compensation, flexible schedule and great office environment. Our Requirements: Must have Experience Must have Medicaid & Medicare provider. Please respond by email to:ddpropertymgmt@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – MIAMI, FLORIDA

Associate with potential for partnership. All phases of foot and ankle care. Bilingual in Spanish helpful. Send Resume and Letter of interest to miamifootandankle@gmail.com

SOUTHEAST GEORGIA- SAVANNAH & SURROUNDING AREAS

Beautiful weather year round & near the Coast. Opportunity for Early Buy-in. Seeking podiatrist looking to build a career & long-term relationship. Either established practicing physician or new residency graduate. Must be PSR-24/36 trained. Multiple locations. Full range of services with new facilities. E-mail cover letter & CV to melissafoot@pol.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MANHATTAN

Podiatrist needed for busy state-of-the-art offices in Manhattan. Offices are located near Penn and Grand Central Station. Along with CV, please provide medical plans that you are currently participating in. Please forward your information to roni@myfcny.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - LOS ANGELES

Multi-specialty group seeking part time podiatrist. Opportunity to transition into full time position. Required: 3 years or surgical residency, including Charcot reconstruction, fellowship or interest in biomechanics, and ability to train surgical residents. Send CV to podiatricri@yahoo.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Gross income >600K. Selling real estate (1,200 sq ft office, 3 treatment rooms) and practice including all equipment, (digital x-ray
ultrasound, EMR, etc.) Asking Price is $350K for everything. Can be a turn-key transfer. Averaging over 100 new patients/month with strong referral base. Excellent opportunity!! Reply to Pesplanus1@gmail.comPRACTICE FOR SALE - BROOKLYN, NY

A large, busy practice is for sale in Brooklyn, NY. This practice has been in the same location for over 50 years. Average 150 pts/week, average gross 730K, most surgery is currently being referred out. Financing available. Please call 800-983-4194, or email contactus@podiatrypracticeconsultants.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

Established 40+ year old well-rounded practice of both surgical and non-surgical care with special emphasis on sports medicine. Medicare and BS/private insurance base, no Medical assistance. Needs to transition to a confident well trained individual. Purchase can include building. Contact:podiatrypracticesale@gmail.com

SPACE AVAILABLE - NYC & LI

Office to sublet and share - East 60th Manhattan, and Plainview, Long Island. access to an MRI, Joint Commission certified operating rooms, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, and access to a multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center. Also availability E 22nd between 2nd and 3rd and E 70th off 3rd. Turn-key operation - no investment needed 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.COM

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