The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,500 Podiatrists Daily

May 11, 2011 #4,157 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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NY Podiatrist Discusses Proper Care of Toenails

You can't just prop your foot up on the tub, slap on some pink polish, and call it a day. Take some time to check your bare toenails. Are they smooth on top and clean-cut with no jagged edges or hangnails? If they have unusual ridges, bumps, or discolorations, you may want to see your podiatrist to rule out a fungus condition, chronic ingrown toenail, or blood pooling under your nail from a black-and-blue mark or even a melanoma (the deadliest form of cancer). Once your toes have been cleared for takeoff, soak your feet in lukewarm water, dry thoroughly, and clip your toenails straight across.

Dr. Robin Ross

"Fight the temptation to go into the corners," Dr. Robin Ross, President of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association warns. Doing so can lead to debilitating ingrown toenails and may need to be fixed with minor surgery. Never, never cut cuticles—think of them as the seal on your window in the winter. Without them, all sorts of nasty stuff can seep in and cause trouble.

Source: Leslie Goldman, Ladies Home Journal

The Jury is Still Out on Mimimalist Shoes: FL Podiatrist

While fans of the minimalist shoes say their design can make runners more efficient and improve race times, the shoes also have the potential to cause serious injuries, said Dr. Matthew Werd, a Lakeland podiatrist and an accomplished distance runner. “It’s definitely something that’s becoming more popular,” Werd said. “Whether it’s a good thing for everybody is yet to be determined.” 

Dr. Matt Werd

Werd recently delivered a lecture on barefoot running and minimalist shoes at the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health and Fitness Summit in Anaheim, CA. He serves on the shoe committee of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine.

Source: Gary White, The Ledger [5/6/11]

Beware Physician Compare: Medicare Site Inaccurate, Say Wronged Practices

Doctors and other health professionals have been disheartened with what they've found out about themselves on Medicare's Physician Compare website. Name misspellings, locality mistakes, and other errors have physicians questioning the integrity and accuracy of the information on the site and wondering if it can become a legitimate comparison tool for healthcare consumers.
 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched Physician Compare on Dec. 30, 2010. The agency did so after expanding its physician directory on the Medicare program's website. The health system reform law required CMS to offer such a site to patients by 2011 and expand the site to include physician quality performance information by 2013.

Charles Fiegl, AMNews [5/9/11]

Unsubscribe Tip

“Unsubscribing” from recurring e-mail lists is a quick task that nevertheless often falls to the bottom of your to-do list.

Strategy: Create an “Unsubscribe” folder in your e-mail program and send unwanted messages there. Once a month, open the folder and unsubscribe to every list.

Source: Adapted from More Time for You, Rosemary Tator and Alesia Latson, AMACOM via Communication Briefings

Query: Topical Antifungals and Pregnancy

I have a patient 3 1/2 months pregnant whose obstetrician has not allowed her to use topical medications. What topical antifungals are safe for pregnant women? 

Tom DeBenedictis, DPM, Union City, NJ

Query: Shinytoes.com "Dr." Cary Silberman

Has anyone seen an ad for Shiny Toes, a clinic in Manhattan with offices in San Jose, Beverly Hills, and San Francisco? They claim a 96% success rate getting rid of fungal toenails utilizing a cold laser. Cary Silberman is apparently a attorney (resigned from the bar with charges pending) who, in addition to treating fungus nails, has a headache and hair restoration clinic in California utilizing cold lasers. When you watch the video, it is clearly designed to make you think it is a medical clinic. For example, they refer to clients as "patients."

Question: is this legitimate, and if not, to whom should it be reported?

Steven Abramow, DPM, NY, NY

Query: Vibram Fivefingers Shoes

I had a patient the other day ask me about buying and running in Vibram Five Fingers shoes. I was wondering if anyone else is familiar with this product. Specifically, what is their opinion of these shoes, and what have been results for patients who have worn them.

John Hart, DPM, Burlington, IA

RE: Athena Health EMR (Daniel Cohen, DPM)
From: Name Withheld

I have just terminated my contract with AthenaHealth. But in all fairness to them, it just wasn't the correct fit for my practice. I have several friends who are very happy with AthenaHealth. So I will touch on some of the things that you should know about it before you decide.

1. The program was cumbersome and slow to navigate. Every place of service is entered as...

Editor's note: Name Withheld's extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: Obtaining Cantharone (Deborah S. Wehman, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

Cantharone (Canthacur-PS Solution) can be ordered through Paladin Labs, Inc. (paladinlabs.com) 6111 Royalmount Suite 102 Montreal, QC H4P 2T4 Canada.

Fay Mushlin, Newtown Square, PA, teegee46@gmail.com

You can obtain Cantharone from Professional Arts Pharmacy. They are located in Baltimore and their phone number is: 1-800 832 9285.

Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

You can order Cantherone from Canadian pharmacies. You submit a prescription by fax and send payment (credit card) and they will ship to your office. However, the cost of a 5mL bottle was about $60 plus shipping when I last ordered over a year ago. I contacted a local compounding pharmacy and they charge me $100 for a 100 mL bottle. I work in the same building, so he cuts me a deal. It works just as well as the prescription kind.

Zeeshan S. Husain, DPM, Rochester, MI, zeepod@hotmail.com

RE: EHR (Marc Katz, DPM)
From: Michael Brody, DPM

In reference to Dr. Katz's letter, there are some points that I agree with and some points I feel need to be brought up. First, I totally agree that you need to find an EHR program that fits your practice. That is why I strongly recommend that podiatrists evaluate EHR programs that have been written from a podiatric-centric perspective.

The $44,000 is to get your attention. It is not the big picture. The 1% penalty is to get your attention. It is not the big picture. The big picture is that...

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

RE: How to Tell if Your Feet Stink

How to Tell if Your Feet Stink

Source: Submitted by Al Musella, DPM 

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MISSION VIEJO, CA

Relocating to Tulsa. Great opportunity to buy my office. Located on Mission Regional Hospital Campus. Gross income 2010 was $340,000. Approximately 1300 sq ft with 3 treatment rooms, digital x-ray and fully computerized. Only 3 years old. Will consider all offers. 949-702-1052. David Stoller, DPM (Family Footcare) david@missionviejofootcare.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MARYLAND, DC SUBURBS

Great opportunity. Well established and equipped practice for sale. Office includes state licensed Ambulatory Surgical Center. Present owner is retiring but will stay on as needed for smooth transition. Average gross over past 3 years is $575 K. dpmpracticeforsale@yahoo.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - NORTHWEST SUBURBS, CHICAGO, IL

Great Opportunity! Present owner to stay on for transition. Average 20% growth over 3 years while open only 4 half days a week. Excellent growth potential with increased hours. Perfect for a new practitioner or a 2nd location. contact podiatrynwsuburbs@gmail.com for information.

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. Turn-key operation - no investment needed 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.COM

ASSOCIATE POSITION - WA (KIRKLAND, SEATTLE, EVERETT, AND REDMOND)

Join one of the fastest growing podiatry practices in Washington state. Must be motivated to grow practice. Competitive salary and benefits. For more information go to seattlefootdoctor.com. Send resume to seattlefootdoctor@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE - POSITION - SOUTHEAST GEORGIA & SOUTH CAROLINA

Seeking recent residency graduate to join practice. Must be PSR-24/36 trained. Multiple locations. Full range of services with new facility. E-mail to melissafoot@pol.net

ASSOCIATE NEEDED - MIAMI, FL

Full-time. Very Busy practice. Rearfoot/forefoot/wound care. Salary + % gross. Send CV to footdoctorinmiam@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW YORK CITY & QUEENS

One of the fastest growing podiatry practices in New York City and Queens seeks a podiatrist who participates with HealthFirst, Fidelis, and other Medicaid plans. Preferably a Spanish speaking podiatrist. Contact me at Podocare@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS - NW INDIANA, CHICAGO AREA

2 Full-Time positions open - One for Northwest Indiana and one for the Chicagoland area. Must have 2-year surgical residency. Must be motivated and a self-starter. State License required. If interested email: f-massuda@footexperts.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CT - (FAIRFIELD AND NORTH HAVEN)

Join one of the largest podiatric groups in Connecticut. Well-established and progressive offices, including EMR, digital x-ray, vascular and NCV studies, Pinpointe and CO2 lasers, diagnostic ultrasound and electrical stimulation therapy. You can expect a full schedule of patients the day you start, and a very competitive salary. For more info www.greatfootcare.com. Send resume to Dr.Kassaris@yahoo.com

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