The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,500 Podiatrists Daily

August 01, 2011 #4,221 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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IL Podiatrist Uses Laser to Reduce Pain and Inflammation

Dr. Kevin Smith is now offering the MLS laser therapy to patients who have heel pain, sprains and strains, as well as arthritis of the foot. He has found it also helps to speed healing after foot surgery. “This is the most promising treatment I have seen in years to relieve pain and promote healing,” he said. 

Dr. Kevin Smith

The system works by treating the cells of the tendons, ligaments and muscles, the doctor explained. As inflammation is reduced, the pain subsides, and that helps the body recover faster. The therapy has no known side-effects.

Source: Deirdre Cox Baker, The Quad-City Times, [7/29/11]

DC Podiatrist Concerned About Instability of Toning Shoes

Toning shoes are the wildly popular shoes that promise to give your legs and rear-end a workout. But could they be more of a hazard than a help? At least 40 people plan to sue several toning shoe manufacturers. Attorney Andy Bederman says that the shoes have led to a variety of serious injuries. “The shoes, we think, are fundamentally unsafe and the manufacturer probably knew this and didn't disclose it and should've disclosed it,” Bederman says.

Podiatrist Dr. Sheldon Laps has treated injuries resulting from the use of the shoes. “For the general population, they are not terribly safe,” Laps said. “I'm very concerned about the injuries and the instability that the shoes bring. I think they're dangerous.”

Source: Suzanne Kennedy,  WJLA (ABC TV) [7/28/11]

CA Podiatrist Announces Bid for Congress

Lee C. Rogers, DPM has filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and has announced his intention to Run for Congress in the 2012 election cycle. Dr. Rogers, a Democrat, will run in the district that contains Santa Clarita and The Antelope Valley. Rogers has a history of APMA advocacy and was the recipient of the APMA 2011 Rising Star Award. 

Dr. Lee C. Rogers

“I feel compelled to run because our government is paralyzed by partisan politics and is dominated by career politicians who would rather score points by playing ‘chicken’ with each other while important deadlines approach, instead of coming together to fix problems,” Rogers said. “ We need physicians at the table  driving healthcare reform and improvement, not lawyers. Lawyers are trained to be adversarial. Doctors are trained to be problem solvers.” Rogers’ campaign website is www.LeeRogers2012.com

MN Podiatrist Joins Essentia Podiatry Department

Dr. Andrew Moen has joined the podiatry department at Essentia St. Mary’s Clinic, Detroit Lakes, MN. He received his medical degree at Des Moines University in Iowa and completed his podiatric medicine and surgical residency at Mercy Hospital, Coon Rapids, MN.

Dr. Andrew Moen

As a surgical podiatrist, Dr. Moen’s areas of interest include forefoot, rearfoot, and ankle pathologies, foot and ankle surgery, sports medicine and diabetic foot care.

Source: Daily Dose [7/30/11]

2011 APMA Scientific Meeting One of the Best Ever

Amid the beautiful background of  Back Bay Boston, over 1,400 podiatrists, 200 exhibitors, and a combined total of 4,000 total attendees enjoyed a well-organized and designed meeting. APMA Annual Meeting Chair Frank Spinosa, DPM and APMA Director of Scientific Affairs James Christina, DPM put together a varied program which offered lectures, breakfast symposia, and hands-on workshops to cover the gamut of clinically relevant topics.

Dr. Frank Spinosa

Spinosa, who accepted a "surprise" award of recognition for his many years  humbly acknowledged that the success of the meeting could not have been achieved without the hard work of the APMA Board of Trustees, APMA staff, and the other members of the APMA Annual Meeting Committee. Next year's Annual Meeting, celebrating APMA's Centennial will be held in Washington, DC from August 16-19th. 

 CMS to Cut Skilled-Nursing Facility Pay

Query: Surgical Considerations for Chronic Smoker

I have an active 67 year old, well-controlled Type-2 diabetic who has had a painful 5th right hammertoe for 15-20 years. It has gotten to the point where it is hindering his ability to exercise and ambulate comfortably. His neurovascular status is within normal limits. Beside an arthroplasty with absorbable pin stabilization, I intend to lengthen the extensor tendon. 

Hammertoe Deformity in Chronic Smoker with Well-Controlled Type-2 Diabetes

The biggest issue with doing this surgery is that he's a smoker with a one pack/day x 50 year smoking history. Besides smoke cessation two weeks before surgery, is there any other surgical advice?
 
Name Withheld (TN)

Query: Coupons For Free Consultation and Treatment

I recently worked per diem for an office that advertised a coupon offering a free consultation and treatment, including trimming of nails and calluses. I was told by a colleague that this is illegal as it amounts to a bribe. Is he correct?

Henry Ficke, DPM, Brooklyn, NY

Editor's comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. Whether such practice is legal is dependent on how the program is executed. There is no law that we are aware of that prohibits any doctor from providing free healthcare. In fact, many podiatrists provide such care to indigents on a regular basis.

Potential legal problems arise when there are "strings attached", such as luring patients to an office with such a coupon, asking them if they have insurance, and then billing that carrier (especially Medicare) for such services. Such conduct exposes the provider to professional misconduct charges, as well as civil and criminal prosecution.

RE: Bone Stimulators and Hammertoe Deformities
From: Robert Teitelbaum, DPM

I have had a patient that manifested excessive and noticeable bony hypertrophy from overuse of a bone growth stimulator. The stimulator was used to help heal a tibial fracture, and there was a huge sabre-type shin. The skin had so much pressure on it from within that a chronic ulceration was under constant care and dressing. This occurred 20 plus years ago in the early days of the use of these devices, and it was unclear to me if the unit he used had an automatic timer. Nonetheless, the picture you shared with us shows no clear hyperostosis. Instead, it shows the classic "toe jumble" of a deforming rheumatoid condition, or the most severe type of osteoarthitis of the foot. This lawsuit is going nowhere.
 
Robert Teitelbaum, DPM, Naples, FL, mfvandange@aol.com

RE: Mandrel for Dremel Drill (Joe Borden, DPM)

In the past, I have bought my Dremel mandrels from Moore medical.
 
Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY jeffckass@aol.com

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