The Voice of Podiatrists

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July 08, 2008 #3,292 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Black People Need Sun Block on their Feet: DC Podiatrist

Amazingly, many African-Americans still believe that black people don’t get sunburned and don’t need sunscreen. Arnold Ravick, a podiatrist in private practice in Washington, DC, and a spokesman for the American Medical Podiatric Association, told BlackAmericaWeb.com a podiatrist can detect skin problems, especially skin cancer, during a foot exam.

Dr. Arnold Ravick

“We see a lot of skin changes because people won’t put sun block on their feet. Their feet are exposed, especially in the summer, because they’re wearing sandals. People, especially black people, think they can’t get sunburned,” Ravick said. “It’s not true. Skin is skin.”

Source: Jackie Jones, BlackAmericaWeb.com [7/7/08]

NYCPM Alumni Ass'n Presents 1st Annual Bruce J. Frankel Alumni Award

The New York College of Podiatric Medicine’s Alumni Association has announced that Danielle McKenna Hlad has been awarded the First Annual Bruce J. Frankel Alumni Scholarship. This award, given in memory of Dr. Frankel, long-time NYCPM Dean of Students, is given to the student who has done the most for the college and the profession.

Bobbie Frankel (between daughters) presents Bruce Frankel Award to student doctor Danielle McKenna Hlad

Danielle is the NYCPM student representative from the class of 2009. Bruce’s wife Bobbie Frankel, along with their two daughters, presented the plaque and commented that “Bruce was looking down and smiling in approval for this year’s choice of a recipient.”

Senate Ready to Revote Medicare Bill

The office of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV.) says that the Senate on Tuesday or Wednesday will hold a second cloture vote on a bill (HR 6331) approved by the House that would delay a 10.6% reduction in Medicare physician fees. Before the July 4 recess, the legislation by one vote failed to receive the 60 votes required to invoke cloture. Democrats believe an advertising campaign aired last week by the American Medical Association might prompt some Republicans to change their votes. In the event that Congress does not pass the bill, the reduction will take effect next week.

Both Democrats and Republicans want to delay the reduction but cannot agree on a proposal to finance the legislation, which would cost $20 billion over five years. Democrats want to reduce Medicare Advantage payments to finance the bill, but the White House and many Republicans oppose such a reduction.

Source: American Health Line [7/6/08]

What Podiatrists Who are Good Listeners Do

* Look at the patient who's speaking.
* Question the patient to clarify what's being said.
* Repeat some of the things the patient says.
* Don't rush the patient.
* Pay close attention to what the patient is saying.
* Don't interrupt the patient.
* Don't change the subject until the patient has finished his or her thoughts.

SourceL Adapted from Communicationg Sucessfully, Briefing Publishing Group

Query: How to Stop Telemarketers

Does anyone have ideas that they have employed to stop those pesky solicitor calls from banks, credit card companies, etc. that tie up our business lines, plus irritate and waste my staff’s time? We get at least 5 calls/day of this nonsense.

Cynthia Ferrelli, DPM, Buffalo, NY

RE: Nail Bed Inflammation (Dana Giacalone, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

I suggest getting x-rays, including a raised hallux lateral, and look for a subungual exostosis. I see them quite frequently, especially on pincher-type nails. I will remove the nail temporarily in most cases and excise the spur and the new nail will usually grow out just fine. Hint: I have found in cases where I removed both dorsal exostosis and some bone distally, I have my patients wear a surgical shoe for one month post-op. Some of the cases where I got them into shoes earlier, I noticed problems later as the nail grew out full length to the skin at the distal central end of the nail bed. When you remove the nail temporarily, send the whole nail unit for a PAS stain.

Samuel Cox, DPM, Goodyear, AZ, scoxdpm@gmail.com

It would be prudent to rule out psoriasis as that has an inflammatory component and mimics a fungal appearance. As with all auto-immune issues, looking for the triggers of the inflammation becomes of paramount importance. This can be done by following a functional medicine approach through molecular laboratory diagnosis.

Bob Kornfeld, DPM, Lake Success, NY, Holfoot153@aol.com

Look for a subungual exostosis or a family history of nail dystrophy. If there is neither, I would educate her on routine care. I would tell her that another option (if it is bothering her enough) is to remove the nail plate once, and treat the nail bed by keeping it clean (daily)of any detritic material and using a topical.

Tip Sullivan, DPM, Jackson, MS, tsdefeet@msfootcenter.net

RE: EHB as a Spacer for Keller Procedure (Greg Caringi, DPM)
From: Art Hatfield, DPM

I have always used a U-shaped medial long capsular flap attached proximally and stretched over the head and attached to the lateral capsule when doing Kellers. Be careful to make the flap longer than you think you need, strip almost to the IPJ and it should be long enough to be an adequate spacer.

Art Hatfield, DPM, Long Beach, CA, afootjob@juno.com

RE: Value of APMA Membership (Jeff Kass, DPM)
From: Harry Goldsmith, DPM

Dr. Kass raises an important issue – our profession's accomplishments ARE based on a strong unified national organization - APMA - and its membership. On the legislative front, there is an absolute need for podiatrists to engage on important issues in Congress. In terms of awareness and timely information, not taking anything away from PM News which is a great source of information and an invaluable communication tool for podiatrists, the APMA, as a single example, goes to considerable lengths to keep members informed about current Medicare legislation.

Additionally,...

Editor's note: To read the remainder of this extended-length letter see: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=20606&start=1

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ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – CALIFORNIA

Coast to Coast Mobile Podiatry Group, California's premier provider of mobile on-site health-care services is seeking hardworking, caring Associates to provide excellent health-care to the greater Los Angeles areas, Organge County, San Bernadino County, Riverside, San Diego, and Santa Barbara. Salary and benefits available. Please email you CV and salary request to coasttocoastpodiatry@yahoo.com

Central Valley/Southern CA. Salary excellent with all paid benefits/incentives including malpractice/401k and profit sharing. Surgery Center and hospital based with no HMOs/no rest homes. Bilingual in English and Spanish. Offering a permanent position/partnership in a multi-million dollar hi-tech practice. E-mail CV to: Tonya@wetreatyourfeet.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for full-time podiatrist in a multi practice location
in the Chicago land and Northwest Indiana area. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to d-kitchens@footexperts.com

CASE CONSULTING

Dennis Shavelson, DPM is now accepting referrals of difficult cases involving biomechanics, surgical complications, non-healing wounds 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

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