The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,000 Podiatrists Daily

April 27, 2010 #3,842 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Foot Pain is Not Normal - FL Podiatrist

Eight of 10 people responding to a 2009 survey from the American Podiatric Medical Association reported having at least one foot ailment in the past year. More than half complained of heel pain. Others were crying "Ouch!" because of blisters, corns, pinched nerves, and ingrown toenails.

Dr. Dennis Frisch

"Foot pain isn't normal, and yet people put up with it," says Dennis Frisch, DPM, a podiatrist in Boca Raton, FL, and an APMA spokesman. About 35% of those who reported heel pain in the survey, for instance, said they had it for two years or longer. There are some age-related changes in our feet that can make pain more likely. But painful feet aren't inevitable with age, Frisch says.

Source: Kathleen Dheny, WebMD

AL Podiatrist to Be Inducted into OCPM Hall of Fame

Dr. Mildred K. Dixon, having a lifetime of “firsts,” will now be the first female and black American to be inducted into the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM) Hall of Fame. The OPCM Alumni Association selected Dixon as one of one of three OCPM alumni members to be inducted into its 2010 Hall of Fame Society.

Dr. Mildred Dixon

Dixon has made many breakthroughs in her career, beginning as a black American female podiatrist in the South during a time where even her state boards were segregated. Some of these include: operating a private practice in Tuskegee from 1948-1951; being a life-time member of the American Podiatric Medical Association; and serving as the first full-time female podiatrist in the Veterans Affairs system from 1957-1985.

Source: The Tuskegee News [4/21/10]

ACFAOM Objects to Dr. Scholl’s Commercial

The American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopedics & Medicine recently sent a letter to Richard T. Clark, CEO of Merck, that now owns Dr. Scholl’s Foot Care Products division of Schering-Plough, expressing concern about the use of the term ‘custom fit orthotics’ in its commercial running on TV and the Internet. In his letter, Dr. Kirk Geter, ACFAOM president, pointed out that while the commercial suggests that an individual with heel pressure, high arches, and/or flat feet may benefit from the Dr. Scholl’s over-the-counter devices, the only method indicated to determine these conditions is through their so-called ‘foot mapping’ system. 

Dr. Kirk Geter

Geter wrote that “Foot or ankle pain is never normal, and ACFAOM feels very strongly that anyone with foot or ankle pain needs to be evaluated by a podiatric physician. Without a medical history or physical examination, medical conditions such as diabetes, which may include neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease, can go undiagnosed.” Geter also expressed concern about the potential spread of infection on the ‘foot mapping’ device at the local pharmacy or retail store because of the lack of  control, monitoring, or cleaning between customers. He pointed out that customers need to be made aware that they are not purchasing custom or custom-made orthotics, and offered to help Dr. Scholl’s refine its commercial language to bring attention to foot problems and the need for podiatric medical care.

Village Podiatry Recognized as one of Atlanta's Fastest Growing Companies

The Atlanta Business Chronicle today announced the top 50 fastest growing private companies in metro Atlanta at the annual Pacesetter Awards. The 2010 awards ceremony, held at the Intercontinental Hotel, recognized Village Podiatry Centers as the only medical group among the winners for its growth in both revenue and employees.  
 

Dr. David Helfman

Village Podiatry began as the solo practice of Dr. David Helfman in 1992. It has grown to encompass 24 Georgia locations with 27 podiatric surgeons and more than 150 support staff. Comprehensive medical and surgical treatment is provided for the foot, ankle and lower leg. The practice’s corporate headquarters is located in Atlanta . CEO, Dr. Helfman, credits the remarkable growth to the increased demand for podiatric services as well as acquisitions of practices and surgery centers.

Source: Atlanta Chronicle [4/23/10]

IA Podiatrist Went From Flame-Thrower to Foot Doctor 

As a podiatrist, Dr. James Campbell of Clarinda knows a thing or two about feet, ankles, and the lower leg, but as a former Marine, Campbell also knows about chemical warfare, especially the flame-thrower, which he operated during World War II. “It wasn’t too bad, but it was a full day’s work” he said of operating a flame-thrower. “It feels like you have a target on your back.” Campbell said in addition to hauling around the flame-thrower, operators also had to carry five-gallon drums of napalm in each hand.

Dr. James Campbell

In April 1946, Campbell was discharged from the Marine Corps.  “I then decided to do something with my life,” he said. Campbell attended one year of schooling at the Citadel, followed by four years at Temple University in Philadelphia to become a podiatrist. In 1951, Campbell and his family moved to Clarinda, IA, where he worked as a successful podiatrist until he retired in 2005.

Tess Gruber Nelson, Shenandoah Valley News [4/21/10]

RE: The Passing of Gerald Stein, DPM

We regret to announce the passing of Gerald Stein, DPM. Dr. Stein, who was President of the Macomb/Oakland Division, passed away on Saturday, April 24th. Dr. Stein was a longtime supporter and member of the Michigan Podiatric Medical Association, along with being a member of the board of directors for many years. 

Dr. Gerald Stein

He influenced and trained many doctors of podiatric medicine during his long career here in Michigan. He touched countless lives and helped advance podiatry along the way. Those of us who were fortunate in knowing him benefited from his positive outlook on life, and will miss him greatly. 

Christian Kindsvatter, Executive Director, MPMA

RE: Hallux Hammertoe/Varus in an 8 Y/O (Mark Aldrich, DPM)
From: Martin M. Pressman, DPM

This is an interesting type of case, which I have seen and treated before. There is a long first metatarsal with an accessory epiphseal plate distally. There is premature closure of the distal plate medially, causing a negative PASA and structural hallux varus. The hallux IPJ is also deformed, causing the abduction of the HIPJ with hammering of the digit. A good surgical approach for this child would be a distal closing wedge at the neck of the first metatarsal with excision of the growth plate for correction of the varus joint surface and shortening of the metatarsal. An abductor hallucis Z-plasty, if necessary, and HIPJ fusion. Forget Lapidus in this case; it is not indicated in this eight year old!
 
Martin M. Pressman, DPM, New Haven, CT, mpress4@optonline.net

RE: Ultrasound-Guided Injections
From: Michael Forman, DPM, Alan Kalker, DPM

For the first thirty or forty years of my practice life, I always wished I had the ability to look into a foot and observe muscle, tendon, ligaments, and fluid collections (bursa, abscess, etc.). Diagnostic ultrasound has finally given us this ability. I have been using diagnostic ultrasound to guide some of my injections for the past five years. Even after all these years of injecting for plantar fasciitis, I find that when I check the placement of the needle, I am off target at least one out every ten injections. For those of you who are not using this modality, I ask, how do you know that you are better than my 90% ratio? In addition, we can measure the thickness of the plantar fascia and the degree of inflammation with each injection, which allows us documentable evidence of our success or failure in treating this condition.
 
I also find that diagnostic ultrasound can be valuable in the treatment of Morton's neuroma. To have the ability to actually see the needle enter the neuroma, eliminating any guess work, is a great advancement. I have probably not operated more than four or five times for a neuroma since we began using diagnostic ultrasound-guided injections. Podiatry has found a great "friend" to help us treat our patients. 

Michael Forman, DPM, Cleveland, OH, IM4MAN@aol.com

Those writing in to defend "blind" injections for neuromas entirely missed my point. My intent was not to condemn blind injections. They work. I know. I did them that way for years too, with mostly good results (though I can't prove it, I do think the results are more reliable with ultrasound). My post was in response to another which lamented the idea that radiologists, untrained in treatment of the foot were getting on the procedure bandwagon and injecting neuromas too. The implication was that these Johnny-come-latelys were incompetent to do the job. My point was simply to suggest that they were doing it under ultrasound guidance and that, under those circumstances, they were at least as likely to get a positive result as those doing it blindly. To condemn them just because they are not podiatrists was inappropriate, at best. The problem is that competition is no fun.

Alan Kalker, DPM, Middleton, WI, ajkalker@wisc.edu

RE: Treatment Room Flooring (Jill Scheur, DPM)
From: Joe Gonzalez, DPM

I recently opened a new office and we used a nice vinyl flooring (actually 3 foot long vinyl strips) that looks exactly like hardwood flooring, only it is a commercial grade vinyl. It is called Spacia by AMTICO. It has been great! Over 2.5 years, it still looks brand new. There is no maintenance and it is scratch, spill, and blood resistant. Betadine and blood clean off easily.

Joe Gonzalez, DPM, East Lansing, MI, gonzalez.joe@gmail.com

RE: Podiatry Ignored Again (Barry Drossner, DPM)
From: Elliot Udell, DPM

I commend Dr. Drossner for picking up on the deletion of podiatry on a television show that had a feature on foot problems. Special acknowledgment goes to the APMA for quickly responding to the Today Show with media-trained professionals. This is a very important role that the APMA undertakes. It behooves all of us to be on the alert, and if we do see a television show or hear a radio show on foot problems where podiatry is deleted, it behooves all of us to contact the APMA with that information quickly so that they can issue a prompt and professional response. Perhaps someone from the APMA could post the exact telephone number and e-mail address for this service so that we can all keep it close on hand. 
 
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

Editor’s note: The APMA can be reached at ASK-APMA.

RE: Safely Removing Scalpel Blades (Kenneth Meisler, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

Here is a device I have on each of my treatment cabinets. They are sold by many venders.

Feather Blade Remover

Paul H Baumgarten, DPM, Utica, NY, doc4feet@hotmail.com

Gill Podiatry carries a blade removal/disposal device that is inexpensive ($4.25) and easy to use. I have always removed blades with my fingers in the office and I have never had a problem. I got the device for disposal purposes when I am at nursing facilities. It makes blade removal simple and safe. My wife has no experience using a scalpel, but she removes the blades very easily with this device. 

Richard Wolff, DPM, Oregon, OH, wolffie@sbcglobal.net

I highly recommend using the Qlicksmart system. In our offices, we have each one of the BladeFlask models in our treatment rooms. It's simple and easy to use. I have never had a problem removing blades at all with it. Here is the website to check out the product: qlicksmart.com/english/index.html. I also know that you can get it through some of the medical catalogs.

Chad Friedman, DPM, West Chester, PA, cfriedman13@yahoo.com

Like Dr. Meisler, I have been removing blades from scalpels with my fingers for more than 30 years and retain all my scarless finger tips. What are people afraid of? Keep your flesh away from the sharp parts and stop worrying.
 
Jeffrey Kittay, DPM, Boston, MA, twindragons2@verizon.net

RE: Scope of Practice (Barry Block, DPM,JD, Ira Baum, DPM)
From: Tilden H. Sokoloff, MD, DPM

We will never be a key player in the healthcare arena until we are MDs or DOs. Parity is a political word that achieves morsels, but not equality, based on similar education and hospital-based residency programs at fine medical centers. We do not fit the criteria for medical school accreditation organizations to accredit us. We do fall under the statutes to change our degrees in various states. Plainly, we are not in the club, even though we feel a sense of entitlement based on education, residency, practice, and allopathic approaches to disease, etc.

In California, our residents can work on any rotation as if they were an MD resident under supervision for training. A DPM can act as first assistant in any surgical procedure, and get paid. Parity of purpose - you bet, equal opportunity thereafter - no way. We can't even sit for the USMLE as can an MD student from Sri Lanka, Ukraine, India, etc.

Barry Block and I have talked about this situation for years. The best action is to keep providing the best foot and ankle care in the world and, at the same time, seek out the way to create the MD/DPM pathway.

There are options to achieve this. You would be amazed how many DPM's have earned their MD or DO degree and have passed the USMLE. They have progressed to residencies in other fields and/or stayed in podiatric medicine and surgery with a different perspective and scope of practice. Leonard Levy DPM, MPH started a pathway at Southeast Nova Osteopathic Health Science Center for residents in training programs in podiatric medicine and surgery to become fully licensed DO physicians. Times are changing, primary care physicians are in great need. Let's stop spending PAC monies to put Band-aids on problems. Let's finally get to the solution.

Tilden H. Sokoloff, MD, DPM, Ketchum, ID, drthsokoloff@iuhs.edu

ASSOCIATE POSITION - LAS VEGAS, DALLAS, HOUSTON, AND SAN ANTONIO AREAS

Seeking well trained ABPS board rearfoot/ankle certified/qualified foot surgeons for surgical practice with national foot/hand/orthopedic surgery group. Excellent salary/benefits. Email CV and cover letter to: slb99@pdq.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION – MICHIGAN

Well established practice in Southeast Michigan suburbs seeking full time associate. Must be ethical, personable and professional. This is a solid opportunity for a PSR-36 graduate or experienced practitioner. Must be able to diagnose and treat everything from general podiatry to reconstruction of severe deformities of the foot and ankle. The practice is currently maintained by two board certified surgeons. This practice is residency affiliated. Please forward current location and availability with C. V. to HKANEDPM@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION  - THE BRONX, NEW YORK

Growing Hospital-based practice in the Bronx. Part-time and full-time positions available. Compensation based on training and level of experience. If interested email: nblitz@bronxleb.org

ASSOCIATE POSITION - TEXAS

Dynamic, growing practice in Dallas/Fort Worth area, seeking surgically trained, Board Certified/Board Qualified Podiatrist. Excellent salary and benefits compensation package, for the right candidate, with partnership/buyout opportunity. Contact/Send resume to: jmh6122@yahoo.com Texas Podiatry License Required.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – GEORGIA

Immediate opening for a surgically-trained individual for associate position in northern suburb of Atlanta. Hospital privileges available. Position could lead to partnership or purchase of practice. Send resume and CV to pd751@hotmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MAINE

20+ year full scope turn-key practice in the same medical building, podiatrist-friendly hospitals nearby, appreciative and cooperative patients, excellent expansion potential. Retiring seller will stay for transition. mainefootdoc@yahoo.com

SEEKING ASSOCIATE POSITION – WESTERN STATES

PSR-36 trained podiatrist seeking position in western states esp. CA, WA, or UT (Current licenses in these states). Finishing a sports medicine fellowship in July. Patient-oriented and ethical podiatrist. Ideal situation would be mutually beneficial relationship with a diverse practice. Please contact me at sportsmedpod@gmail.com

PRACTICE & BUILDING FOR SALE - MIDDLE TENNESSEE

Two locations each with 3 exam rooms, x-ray room, large waiting room, and ample parking. Excellent locations and growth potential. All equipment and furniture included. Website and marketing material included. Seller happy to assist with transition. Priced to sell with financing available 250k. Call 931-446-5724.

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 12,000 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 12,000 DPM's. Write to 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

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