The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,500 Podiatrists Daily

July 28, 2011 #4,218 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Don't Forget the Sunscreen for Your Feet: PA Podiatrist

With summer in full swing, there’s a warning to make sure to put sunscreen in a place too often ignored. Maybe the feet are the Rodney Dangerfields of body parts — they don’t get no respect. But they do get respect from Main Line podiatrist Dr. Eric Ricefield, who notes that feet are more exposed to sun this time of year — not just on the beach but in sandals and flip-flops.  So, he says, sunscreen is a must.

Dr. Eric Ricefield

Checking for cancer and pre-cancerous spots is part of his regular exams, and he urges you to look for them on your own. “Skin cancers on the feet have a worse fatality rate within five years of diagnosis compared to other skin cancers elsewhere on the body, mostly because of the delay in diagnosis and recognition,” Ricefield tells KYW Newsradio.

Source: John Ostapkovich, KYW Newsradio [7/25/11]

Half of Elderly Diabetics Fail to Control Blood Glucose: CA Podiatrist  

Diabetes affects nearly 20% of Americans over the age of 65, according to Diabetes.org, and another quarter of the senior population fits the criteria for impaired glucose intolerance. What's more, nearly half of elderly diabetics fail to properly control their blood glucose levels. “That means there's a good chance that by the time a diabetic is admitted into skilled nursing, they're already at a deficit and at real risk for developing a diabetic foot ulcer,” says Lee Rogers, DPM, associate medical director of the Amputation Prevention Center at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles.

Dr. Lee C. Rogers

Rogers, who also chairs the American Diabetes Association's foot care council, says his facility sees five or six skilled nursing residents arriving with severe diabetic ulcers via ambulance each day. “Diabetics are not like every other patient,” he says. “They need extra care and attention. You have to be diligent if you're going to successfully treat and prevent these decubitus ulcers.”

Source: Julie Williamson, McKnight's Long-Term Care News [8/2/11]

NJ Podiatrist Attends PGA Clinic

Dr. Sharon Root was among more than 60 women who braved the rain to attend a free women’s clinic at Black Oak Golf Club on Monday. Almost a dozen PGA professionals took out small groups, giving instructions on the basics of driving, chipping, and putting.

Dr. Sharon Root

“No matter how old you are, you can play,” said 59-year-old Root, a Succasunna-based podiatrist. “I play with women. I play with men. I play with my 88-year-old landlord who can no longer hit it far, but he hits it straight and beats me every time. … The glass ceiling has dropped since I started playing. Golf courses have become more friendly to women, but there’s still a long way to go.”

Source: Jane Havsy, Daily Record [7/25/11]

PA Podiatrist Joins Advisory Board of Shoe Care Innovations (SteriShoe)

Warren Joseph, DPM has joined the Advisory Board of Shoe Care Innovations, Inc. (“SCI”), makers of the SteriShoe ultraviolet shoe sanitizer. Dr. Joseph is a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and sits on the IDSA Diabetic Foot Infection Guidelines Committee. Dr. Joseph is a specialist in the treatment of lower extremity infectious diseases and the author of Handbook of Lower Extremity Infections. 

Dr. Warren Joseph

Prior to joining its Advisory Board, Dr. Joseph worked with SCI in developing its recently completed clinical study conducted at the University Hospital at Case Western Reserve University. 

Use Post-It Notes to Organize Presentations

Organize ideas for your presentation. Write one thought each on a sticky note or slip of paper. Then group them based on your main topics.

Source: Adapted from “How I Begin Designing a PowerPoint Presentation,” Jon Thomas, Presentation Advisors via Communications Briefings

Query: Bone Stimulators and Hammertoe Deformities

A 56 year old female patient presented complaining about her hammertoe deformities. Her history includes a fracture of the right ankle 18 months ago. Use of a bone stimulator prescribed by an orthopedist was required. She claims that her foot was perfectly "normal and "beautiful" before use of the bone stimulator. She has seen a lawyer, and was advised to seek a medical opinion regarding the use of the bone stimulator for the ankle fracture being the cause of the deformities.

Hammertoe Deformities Post-Fracture

The left foot has similar deformities, but not as severe as the right, even though she never used a bone stimulator on it. I stated that I am unaware of a bone stimulator causing such a problem, and reviewed treatment alternatives. Comments will be appreciated.

Peter M Mason, DPM, Largo, FL

Query: Accessing Patients' Medication History
 
In this day and age of EHR and meaningful use, it is becoming increasing difficult for me and my staff to get accurate, detailed information about the medications my patients are taking. It would be very helpful to be able to access my patients medication history from their pharmacy records. Is it possible and/or legal to request this information, and is anyone currently doing this? I would also appreciate any other ideas from others who have solved this problem.
 
John Chisholm, DPM, Chula Vista, CA

RE: Chronic NSAID Use Doubles CV Deaths in Elderly (Robert Kornfeld, DPM)
From: David Zuckerman, DPM

Many patients, especially the elderly, are taking  multiple medications such as blood thinners, NSAIDs, as well as having multiple systemic diseases. Dr. Kornfeld points out the dangers of NSAIDs. We all have seen these side-effects, some very serious.

I have been using the Nexus 10 Class-4 high-power laser for years, replacing many NSAIDs and local steroid injections. The side-effects of these therapeutic lasers are very small. The outcomes are documented in double-blind studies. Podiatry has the opportunity to use class-4 lasers for the treatment of  pain, arthritis inflammation, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, post surgical inflammation, trauma neuroma, etc.  

I am happy to  provide any type of information, including studies, and my experience with a Class 4  laser.  I have a full library of laser literature.

Disclaimer: I am a laser consultant and sell the Nexus laser.

David Zuckerman, DPM, Cherry Hill, NJ, footcare@comcast.net

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