The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,500 Podiatrists Daily

July 18, 2007 #2,988 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2007- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.

IL Podiatrist Provides Advice on Children's Sport Injuries

.

Each year, 574,000 children between the ages of 5 and 14 are injured playing basketball, 448,200 are hurt while playing football, and 252,665 are treated for injuries related to baseball. So when should youngsters play through the pain and when should they call it quits?

.

Dr. Mykola Lisowsky

.

“I would take it on a case-by-case basis,” said Mykola Lisowsky, a podiatrist for Mercy Harvard Clinic North. “If the kid is limping, definitely bring him in. It might just be a bruise, but x-rays are quite inexpensive and an excellent way to find out.”

....

Appropriate training and stretching, including a warm-up and cool-down can help prevent injuries, Lisowsky said. If someone has had an injury in the past, it is important to wear a brace to prevent re-injury, he said.

.

Source: Sarah Sutschek, Northwest Herald [7/15/07]

OH Podiatrist Wins British Literary Award

Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM, is the recipient of the Basham Literary Prize given by "Chiropody Review", the official journal of the British Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. This annual prize is given to the author of the best article published in this bi-monthly professional journal.

Dr. Jeffrey A. Oster

The Basham Literary Prize was awarded to Dr. Oster for his article on "Charcot Joint" which was published in the May/June 2006 issue of Chiropody Review. Dr. Jeffrey Oster writes that Charcot joints occur when the ability to sense deep pain is lost or diminished. As a result of the inability to sense pain, small fractures begin to develop in areas of stress such as the arch of the foot. The normal response to a fracture is swelling and increased blood flow (reflex vasodilatation) to the affected area of bone. The increase in blood flow tends to 'wash away' calcium from the fracture site, resulting in weakening of the bone and further fractures. If the normal protective mechanism, pain, remains absent, a cycle of increasing fracture activity begins with progressive collapse of the supporting bone.

Query: OTC Shoe for Limb Length Discrepancy

I have a young female patient that is having trouble finding shoes that need to be built up. She has a limb length discrepancy over 5 cm. and is having a lot of difficulty finding an over-the-counter shoe that can be built up. She had made a custom-shoe, spent well over $200, and can't wear them because it is too stiff and causes more problems. Her current pair of shoes cost about $50 and another $90 to build up. They lasted six months before the heel counter deformed. Most shoe companies are making moldable soles which can't be modified. Any suggestions on a good, supportive shoe in which the sole can be built up.?

Doug Mason, DPM, Freeport, IL

Query: Displaced Bone Graft

An Evans-type osteotomy of the calcaneus was performed with placement of graft. Two weeks later, the patient fell and displaced the graft and anterior process. The patient was returned to the operating room to replace the displaced graft via open reduction internal fixation (ORIF).

Would the second surgical session be billed as a new ORIF of the calcaneus procedure - independent of the first surgery), or a revisional surgery related to the original surgery? How would it be coded?

Jon R. Goldsmith, DPM, Omaha, NE

RESPONSE: I would suggest coding this as CPT 28415 (open treatment of calcaneal fracture, with or without internal or external fixation), and append it with a "-78" modifier - return to the operating room for a related surgery.

Tony Poggio, DPM, Alameda, CA

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

RE: Quality Improvement Project

From : Ken Malkin, DPM

.

I have been working with a CMS-sanctioned group which has been given the task of developing new quality measures for reporting. They need 3-5 volunteers to test the measures. You are asked to participate in a Web-based training session, and then use the materials provided to collect the measures on 30 patient encounters. This is an internal test by a private company, and the data you provide will never be made public.

.

volunteers are needed by this Friday! If you can help, please send me your contact information, including name, e-mail, state, and phone. Your profession thanks you.

.

Ken Malkin, DPM, Caldwell, NJ, drmedicare@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – YONKERS, NEW YORK

15 year old, well-established, modern practice located in Westchester County, looking for associate, P/T or F/T, motivated 24/36 trained or ABPS-Certified or eligible to start immediately. Looking for motivated individual, able to practice all facets of podiatry practiced. Fax CV to (845-225-4097)

PRACTICE FOR SALE OR LEASE- CENTRAL FLORIDA

Practice all phases. Wound care, hyperbaric privleges nearby. Excellent building, location, and exposure on busy highway. Outstanding place to live and work; low penetration by managed care. Ample parking and accessibility with 2,000 sq. ft building designed and equipped for podiatry (lease or buy) 7 minutes from hospital. Great price, terms and opportunity to grow. 352-357-7499 - windnwave@earthlink.net

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

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO --NORTHWEST INDIANA

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Full and part time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-292-4800. Fax 773-486-3548 ---------------------E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com -- www.homephysicians.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – BOSTON, MA

20 year old, well established, modern practice with 2 locations just out of Boston, looking for associate, P/T or F/T, motivated 24/36 trained or ABPS-Certified or eligible to start immediately. Strong surgically-based practice. Looking for motivated individual, able to practice all facets of podiatry practiced. Electronic scanning for orthotics and voice activated EMR already in office. Fax CV to (617) 567-0822

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MAINE, SOUTHERN COAST

Established practice for sale. Practice with well developed infrastructure and location. Current technology in place. Good mix of surgery and office based care. Practice has stable income and consistent patient flow. Office open three full days and two half days per week. dpminmaine@comcast.net

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

PRACTICE FOR SALE - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Great opportunity to own a well-established turn-key podiatry practice located in modern medical office building in East Bay; Electronic billing, good payor base, no HMO contracts; Biomechanics, general podiatry with great potential for surgery. Please send CV and letter of interest to: norcalpod@hotmail.com

WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (5x) for only $85

PM Classified Ads Reach over 9,500 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 9,000 DPM's. Write 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 dekagan@aol.com

• To Post a message, send it to:    bblock@podiatrym.com
• Notes should be original and may not be submitted to other publications or listservs without our express written permission.
• Notes must be in the following form:
  RE: (Topic)
  From: (your name, DPM)
  Body of letter. Be concise. Limit to 250 words or less). Use Spellchecker
  Your name, DPM City/State
• Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.