The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

August 25, 2008 #3,332 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Buying a 'Healthy' Shoe Crucial During Back-To-School Shopping: APMA

With the hustle and bustle of a new school year only weeks away, parents are jotting down back-to-school shopping lists that include the names of important supplies and fashionable new clothing options for their child. But while many items can be quickly dropped into a shopping cart, purchasing a new pair of children's shoes should be more time-intensive than simply picking a brand name off of a store's shelf.

Dr. Ross Taubman

According to results taken from American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) surveys among adults aged 18-49, 18 percent of males and 65 percent of females have not had their feet measured in the last five years. Wearing an improperly fitting shoe often leads to foot problems such as plantar fasciitis and tendonitis, so it's particularly important for children -- whose feet are still in their developing stages -- to always have their foot measured by a shoe store professional.

"Parents should remember that not every child's shoe on the market is a healthy choice, and price is not indicative of quality," said APMA President Ross Taubman, DPM. "In addition to having your child's foot size professionally measured before purchasing a shoe, pay close attention to three footwear aspects: a stiff heel counter, proper toe flexibility, and proper rigidity. Doing this drastically reduces the chance of injury in young feet."

Source: Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week [8/23/08]

German Orthopedist Featured Speaker in Alaska Cruise Seminar

Dr. G. Dock Dockery, Chairman of the Northwest Podiatric Foundation for Education & Research, USA, recently hosted German Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon, Dr. Ralph Springfeld of Hamburg, as the featured speaker for the NWPF Annual Seattle Summer Seminar. Dr. Springfeld and his wife Britta, also joined NWPF on the Alaska Cruise Seminar.

Dr. & Mrs. Ralph Springfeld (L), Drs. Mary Crawford & G. Dock Dockery

Dr. Springfeld addressed over 50 attendees on the Stainsby procedure for rheumatoid foot, anatomy & biomechanics of HAV, rearfoot reconstruction using locking plates, and complications of 1st ray osteotomies. This 20 CME program also featured Drs. Mary Crawford, G. Dock Dockery, Ed Glaser, J Syd James, Jeff Marzian, Rex Nilson, and Valerie Rash.

Alleged Failure To Diagnose and Treat Non-Union of 5th Metatarsal – (PA)

Facts: The plaintiff alleged that the defendant podiatrist was negligent in failing to diagnose and treat a non-union of the fifth metatarsal following the performance of bunion surgery. The defendant argued that the plaintiff was still in the post-operative recovery stage when she elected to seek treatment from another podiatrist. Accordingly, the defendant contended that he had no opportunity to diagnose the plaintiff's non-union. The plaintiff was a female in her late 30s who underwent surgery performed by the defendant to treat a persistent bunion. The surgery involved cutting and moving the bone of the fifth metatarsal.

The plaintiff alleged that the defendant failed to timely diagnose and treat a non-union which, if timely diagnosed, would have permitted non-surgical treatment. The plaintiff underwent additional surgery performed by another podiatrist. The plaintiff complained of continuing persistent foot pain.

The defendant's expert podiatrist testified that the plaintiff was still within the healing phase of her recovery when she chose to treat with another physician some six months post-surgery. The non-union was diagnosed by the subsequent treating podiatrist and the defendant maintained that he had no opportunity to diagnose the condition.

Result: The jury found that the defendant was not negligent ($0).

Plaintiff's Expert: Steven Boc, D.P.M., Philadelphia, PA
Defendant's Expert: Michael Downey, D.P.M., Philadelphia, PA

Source: Jury Verdict Review Publications, Volume 16, Issue 10

Organize Yourself to Write Well

Some experts recommend beginning every writing project by creating an outline. Sometimes, however, you simply cannot create a formal outline, especially in the early stages or when you are experiencing writer's block. Don't let the structure of an outline inhibit your creativity. Instead, think of the writing process as comprising of four distinct stages:

1. Capturing ideas. Jot down things you want to say - many things - in no particular order, and with no judgments as to to each item's value.

2. Organizing. Sort out relevant ideas into a rough outline. Don't worry about form or sentence structure at this point.

3. Adding structure. Further organize yout thoughts, creating section titles and organzing within broad categories.

4. Polishing. Leave plenty of time to revise and to fix grammar and style issues.

Source: Adapted from Harvard Management Communication Letter

Query: NAOMI DR

Does anyone have experience with NAOMI DR, a system which converts standard x-rays to digital? Please comment on the quality and technical support?

Pete Harvey, DPM, Wichita Falls, TX

RE: Low-Grade Fibrosarcoma (Doug Mason, DPM)
From: Narmo L. Ortiz, Jr., DPM, David M. Davidson, DPM

With all suspected lower extremity tumors, an MRI or CT- scan would help to delineate the tumor margins prior to surgical resection and biopsy.

Even though a complete resection of the tumor is achieved, if the biopsy reports a malignancy it is imperative to refer the patient to a general surgeon and a cancer specialist for possible sentinel node biopsy and a PET scan.

Any malignant tumor excised from the lower extremity should be considered suspicious for either being a primary lesion with potential metastasis, or a secondary lesion that metastasized from elsewhere.

Narmo L. Ortiz, Jr., DPM, Cape Coral, FL, nlortizdpm@embarqmail.com

We are lucky to have an orthopedic oncologist in our area. These patients need to be referred quickly to this type of individual. I have had the opportunity to send two patients in the past six months and both required extensive surgery with chemotherapy, etc. There is no question this is better than trying to treat the patient one’s self.

David M. Davidson, DPM, Buffalo, NY, ddavidson7@verizon.net

RE: Staff Vacation Time (Scott Werter, DPM)
From: Jon Purdy, DPM, Bruce Krell, DPM

Our employees receive 5 days paid vacation after one year of employment. After four years, they receive 10 days of paid vacation. We formerly gave a combined 14 days of paid holiday, sick and personal days throughout the year. We have since done away with those 14 days.

We have realized that scattered paid days off were not perceived as much of a benefit. What we found employees value most is the time off and their hourly wage. Instead of paying an employee for 14 days off, we put this back into their hourly wage which gave each employee, depending upon their wage, anywhere from fifty cents to a dollar an hour raise. This served multiple purposes. We no longer have to track sick and personal days. The employee now has incentive to return to work to get paid. And, the raise in pay makes us more competitive, in that respect, when employees job search.

Jon Purdy, DPM, New Iberia, LA, podiatrist@mindspring.com

This is my office policy: New hire-1 year receive 5 days sick. 1-2 years receives 5 days sick, 5 days vacation. 2+ years receive 5 days sick, 10 days vacation. This amount of time was recommended by an employee attorney I hired to write our office policy a few years ago.

Bruce Krell, DPM, Chandler, AZ, footdoc352@cox.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE- NEW YORK

Full-time associate position in our well-established Midtown Manhattan and Forest Hills practices. Well-rounded practice with hospital based surgery and all phases of podiatric care. We are seeking PSR 24/36 trained podiatrist with good surgical background. Compensation to also include malpractice expenses. Forward CV to slurie@papapc.net or Fax to # 212-753-3521

ASSOCIATE POSITION – ILLINOIS

Quality Podiatry Group provides quality services to residents at long term care facilities. We are currently offering full-time or part-time positions for motivated ethical podiatrists. Immediate openings available. If interested fax curriculum vitae to 312 225-9366 or e-mail feetwork@aol.com

IMMEDIATE POSITION AVAILABLE TN/GA

We're in search of a motivated, well-trained DPM who is great with patients. Our well-established multi-doctor, multi-office practice is located in Southeast Tennessee/North Georgia. Must have Tennessee or Georgia license. Please reply via email to ikraus@sprynet.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - BOSTON, MA

Associate wanted, Full-time or part-time, for busy long time, well established, and well rounded practice. Good mix of general podiatry and surgery. Office will generate approximately 100+ surgical cases per year. Must have surgical background for this practice, ABPS Qualified minimum needed to obtain hospital privileges. Associate position is open for partnership or purchase. Contact robert.nunberg@comcast.net

MINNESOTA - IMMEDIATE OPENING

Well-established practice with 8 offices in the Minneapolis metro area seeking a highly motivated PSR 24/36 trained podiatrist for a full time or part time associate position. ABPS certified, qualified or eligible preferred. Excellent income potential with benefits including health insurance, malpractice insurance, relocation expense, association dues, license fees, hospital dues, continuing education expense. Possible buy-in or buy-out in future. Heavy emphasis on surgery and sports medicine with minimal RFC. Please e-mail CV to footandankledoc22@hotmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MINNESOTA

Minnesota-2 well established prime office locations for sale in the Minneapolis suburbs. Great income potential with large MD referral base .Can purchase one or both offices together. 175k gross/ each office. Owner will help with transition. Please e-mail minnesotadpm@live.com

ALL PRO 2010 X-RAY PROCESSOR FOR SALE

2 years old, excellent condition, monthly maintenance/cleaning done by NJ X-Ray. Includes processor, leveling base, chemical draining hoses, water hose, two 10x12 x-ray cassettes and 1 box of brand new x-ray film. Instruction manual and extra washers/parts also included. Asking price $2,200 + shipping costs. Please email nefootandankle@optonline.net for all inquiries.

ASSOCIATE POSITION OPPORTUNITY IN MULTI SPECIALITY GROUP PRACTICE - ILLINOIS

Christie Clinic is a large Multi-Specialty Group practice located in Champaign, Illinois. We are seeking a PSR-36 ABPS Board Certified or Board Eligible podiatrist to join a well-established Podiatry department. Must be competent in all phases of podiatric care, Surgical and Conservative. This position will involve rotating through multiple office locations with surgical privileges available at two medical centers and two outpatient surgery centers. Very competitive salary, bonus plan, vacation, and health/mp insurances. Forward CV to wpierce@chrisiteclinic.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE WA STATE: BELLINGHAM - WITH ASC

Located by hospital and medical community. Owner will carry part of financing. Potential for increased revenue abounds. This is a value that should not to be overlooked. Bellingham is rated in national magazines as one of the most desirable places to live or retire. 386 597-5766.

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