The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,500 Podiatrists Daily

May 16, 2007 #2,937 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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"Stop Smoking and Exercise" – CA Podiatrist

Feet are ravaged by a variety of awful things: bacterial infections, melanomas, corns, bunions, hammertoe, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, athlete's foot, just to mention a few. Ernie Hook, a doctor of podiatric medicine and surgery with an office in Folsom, is president of the California Podiatric Medical Association.

Dr. Ernest Hook

Diabetics, athletes, and people with peripheral arterial disease are the groups most likely to experience serious foot problems, says Hook. The last group would include smokers, and people with high cholesterol, increased blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and hereditary factors. To those people, I would say, "Stop smoking and exercise."

Source: Source: Dan Vierria, Sacramento Bee {5/13/07]

PA Podiatrist in Primary Election to Hold His Seat on City Council

Infrastructure and revitalization have become buzzwords in the City Council race between eight candidates competing for the Democratic Party nominations for five open seats. Victors in the November elections win positions with $1,200-per-year compensation and free health insurance.

Dr. Joseph Marzzacco

“I’d like to see the town move forward, and I think the mayor needs our support,” said Anthony “Tony” Perri, who is seeking a nomination to run for one of the three open four-year seats. He faces incumbents Kathleen Connor, Joseph “Doc” Marzzacco and former City Councilman Mike Wall.

Dr. Marzzacco, running for his third term, and Mrs. Connor said they were seeking nominations and re-election to continue work on revitalization projects. “I do think the most important thing that we’re doing right is the development project,” said Dr. Marzzacco, referring to the $18.6 million downtown hotel/garage complex.

Source: Jody Roselle, The Times-Tribune [05/12/2007]

NC Podiatrist Faces Cocaine Charges

A Greenville, NC podiatrist faces cocaine charges after another suspect gave him up. Dr. Paul Joseph Civatte, 50, of Grifton, was charged with possession of cocaine and maintaining a vehicle for the use of controlled substances. He was placed in the Lenoir County Jail under $2,000 bond.

According to an arrest report, Civatte is self-employed at Greenville Foot and Ankle Center. Officers seized two grams of cocaine during the arrest. Sgt. Eddie Eubanks with the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office said Civatte allegedly bought cocaine from undercover officers in the K-Mart parking lot in Kinston.

Source: Katie Marshall, The Free Press [5/13/07]

Query: Power Point Lectures

I am trying to find any new updated Power Point lectures on general podiatry topics that I can use when I give presentations in my community. Is anything new available?

Scott Werter, DPM, Myrtle Beach, SC

Query: ICD-9 Code for Mucoid Cyst

What is the correct ICD-9 code for a mucoid cyst?

Robert Korneld, DPM, Lake Success, NY

Response: There are several codes to consider, depending on whether you define a mucoid cyst as a synovial cyst or ganglion of a toe (joint) or ganglion of a toe (tendon sheath) or other:

ICD-9 727.40 - Synovial cyst, unspecified
ICD-9 727.41 - Ganglion of joint
ICD-9 727.42 - Ganglion of tendon sheath
ICD-9 727.49 - Cyst, other

Harry Goldsmith, DPM , Cerritos, CA

Codingline subscription information can be found at
http://www.codingline.com/subscribe.htm

RE: Obligation to Perform Surgery? (William Vondette, DPM)
From: Elliot Udell, DPM

From time to time we all encounter patients seeking revisional surgery. Such encounters might feed our egos. When we have a patient sitting in front of us who is asking us to pass judgment on and repair the "mistakes" of one of our colleagues, it feels good. It may feel all too inviting to bring the patient back into the OR and be a "hero" by repairing the problem. What Dr. Vondette was lucky to have found out which many of us in similar situations might learn the hard way, is that this patient might have a hidden agenda. It might not be about getting her foot corrected but her agenda might be about reaping monetary rewards by initiating litigation against prior doctors in addition to having legitimate reasons for asking for narcotic prescriptions. The serious problem is that the "hero" trying to fix the problem might quickly become a victim when the patient and her attorney decides to include him in the list of doctors who she is suing. "Hey judge and jury, this doctor who tried to fix my problem made it worse." This scenario is all too common.

On the other hand, does this mean that we should deny revisional surgery to all patients who really need it. How do we determine if a patient is sincere or trying to haul more doctors into a web of litigation? There is no solid way of knowing. We are not mind readers. What has worked for me is to simply find the top surgeons in podiatric academic centers who have years of experience with re-do surgery and whose opinions would not be easily challenged in a court of law. Colleagues of ours whom fit this bill tend to have a good but not perfect sense about the patients they operate on. Even more important, patients with a hidden agenda might not go for re-do surgery if they sense an astute specialist is about to blow their cover.

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

ASSOCIATE POSITION – SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Immediate opening for qualified forefoot surgeon for well-established practice in San Diego County. Opportunity to buy in as well. foothold@msn.com

ASSOCIATE WANTED – NEW YORK IMMEDIATE OPENING

Busy multi-dimensional practice; 70 miles north of New York City. Currently five (5)-doctor practice. looking to expand – all phases of podiatric medicine. contact: (845) 454-8308 EXT: 106

POSITION AVAILABLE - SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE/ NORTH GEORGIA

Immediate position available or will wait for the right individual. Unique practice opportunity in growing multi-physician/multi-office practice. Well established/cutting edge within the medical community. Close proximity to hospitals as well as opportunity to become involved with a free standing podiatric surgical center. Must be BQ/BC. Minimum PSR/24. Competitive salary, bonus structure and benefits. E-mail CV to afcjen@hotmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE : LA JOLLA CA (SAN DIEGO) Price reduced!

$287K '06. No HMOs, bone surgery, or insurance panels, so opportunity abounds! Affluent community. General practice, biomechanics, DME. Possible finance Serious/principals only. Cell:858-405-4780, 10-8 PDT. No Sunday calls, please. $129K Selling due to age, health problems. www.SDFootDoctor.com DrRDWorley@yahoo.com

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ASSOCIATE POSITION- SOUTH JERSEY

Associate PT/FT wanted for progressive (EMR, Digital x-ray, Diag U/S ), ethical, full scope group practice. A motivated team player with very good surgical and routine skills. ABPS cert and 24/36 PSR preferred but will take experience into consideration. A very fair benefits /compensation package. CV and references Dalilfeet@AOL.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION- KNOXVILLE, TN

PT/FT, multiple positions to fill, surgically and non-surgically trained, immediate and in near future. State-of-the-art facilities with in office surgical suites as well as full privileges at all area hospitals. Area nationally ranked as fifth best place to live and work. davidphawk@adelphia.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE: IN THE HEART OF FLUSHING, QUEENS, NY

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Busy practice, busy area, great location. Part of a multi-specialty practice, who are automatic sources of referral. In the same building as an ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY, automatic patients, call (212) 688-4680 or e-mail doctor4foot@aol.com for details.

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