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PMNews
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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 18,472 Subscribers Daily
August 26, 2020 #6,753  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management https://podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2020- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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| ANNUAL SURVEY NOW ONLINE - WIN VALUABLE PRIZES |
Congratulations to Cindy Ana Pavicic, DPM of Southfield, MI winner of last week's prize of a Macy's $100 Gift Card. We encourage you to participate in this year's important annual survey. Completing this anonymous survey provides us with valuable data, which we will publish in the February 2021 issue of Podiatry Management. It also makes you eligible to win thousands of dollars worth of valuable prizes. Enter by completing this confidential survey and providing your e-mail address in the comments section on the last page of the survey. The earlier you enter, the more chances you have to win. NOTE: We are only requesting Information from 2019 (Pre-COVID-19) .
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Forensic Gait Analysis |
***This is also your opportunity to vote for the next DPM and non-DPM inductees into the PM Podiatry Hall of Fame.
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| PODIATRISTS AND SPORTS MEDICINE | |
Plantar Fasciitis Becoming More Prevalent: CT Podiatrist
"Now that many people are getting out, walking, playing tennis, golfing, and running for exercise during this COVID-19 pandemic, plantar fasciitis is more prevalent than ever. This condition appears as a strain or partial rupture of the strong ligament which runs along the arch from the heel to the toe. It elevates, or supports, the arch," says Robert Weiss, DPM.
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Dr. Robert Weiss |
"Therapy for plantar fasciitis includes resting from one’s respective event and going to an alternate aerobic activity such as swimming or biking to maintain cardiovascular condition. I am a firm believer in long-distance walking to increase blood flow to the tissues as our body's healing element. A biomechanical orthotic device will be helpful for rebalancing the foot and the ankle pronation. It is important to remember that perhaps the best treatment for the athlete is rest," says Dr. Weiss.
Source: The Darien Times [8/21/20]
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| HOSPITAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS | |
TN Podiatrist Joins Starr Regional
Starr Regional Medical Center has announced that Derek Slack, DPM, has joined its staff and will be offering surgical podiatry services, with focus on reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle.
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Dr. Derek Slack |
Dr. Slack received his podiatric medical degree from the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine and completed his residency in surgical podiatry at St. Vincent Medical Center.
Source: Daily Post Athenian [8/24/18]
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| PODIATRISTS AND FOOTWEAR | |
MA Podiatrist Provides Back to School Shoe Buying Tips
Buying the proper shoes for your kids can be tricky. According to Louis DeCaro, DPM, sizing is important and kids feet swell, so it’s important to try on shoes at the end of the day. Also, shoe sizes can vary widely – not only by brand but the country the shoe is made in as well.
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Dr. Louis DeCaro |
Look for a firm heel counter, make sure the shoe flexes in the toe box, and look for flexibility in the center. "How a shoe fits is important to a child's foot health," says Dr. DeCaro.
Source: Alanna Flood, WWLP.com [8/24/20]
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| RELEVANT RESEARCH | |
PRP Shows No Improvement for Non-operatively Treated Achilles Tendon Ruptures
Platelet-rich plasma injections did not show any clinical or functional improvement in the recovery of nonoperatively treated acute Achilles tendon ruptures, according to published results. Researchers followed 38 men with Achilles tendon ruptures (ATRs) for 12 months, administering four platelet-rich plasma injections (PRP) to the PRP group and four placebo injections to the control group. Both groups were given their respective injections 14 days apart and received congruent exercise programs, which started at 9 weeks after operation, according to the study abstract.
Both groups improved similarly in mean Achilles tendon total rupture score and showed no differences in functional outcomes, the researchers wrote in the study. “It seems that treatment with multiple PRP injections in nonsurgically treated ATRs did not stimulate healing or improve function and activity levels compared with placebo,” the researchers concluded.
Source: Max R. Wursta, Orthopedics Today
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| FROM PM's CURRENT ISSUE | |
Several times a week, PM News posts an entire article from a recent issue of our partner, Podiatry Management Magazine. Please note that the views expressed in Podiatry Management Magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of PM News or Barry Block.
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Today's Featured Article |
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| PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY | |
Big Mistakes To Avoid When Creating a Press Release - Part 12
Press releases are a vital part of a practice's communication strategy. Despite their importance, many offices make mistakes when it comes to creating or issuing these messages. Writing press releases is a skill that many people like to think they have, but the reality is that it’s harder than it looks.
12. Being Incomplete or Useless - It's important that press releases be actually useful to the press — meaning there should be dynamic, informative firsthand quotes that journalists can pull to incorporate into their articles. Journalists should not have to reach out for more information after receiving the release — everything to complete their story should be there already. - Meredith Xavier, The Ligné Group
Source: Adapted from Forbes
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) | |
RE: The Passing of Leo S. Krawetz, DPM
Leo S. Krawetz died unexpectedly at the age of 53 on Wednesday, August 19th. Dr. Krawetz earned his DPM from the William M Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in 1994.
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Dr. Leo Krawetz |
Dr. Krawetz loved to laugh and had a smile you could see for miles. He paved the way for bringing education to the field of podiatry with a humorous twist for millions of people via social media and Youtube. He inspired many across the globe to pursue the field of podiatry. He will be greatly missed.
Todd Brennan, DPM
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| QUERIES (NON-CLINICAL) | |
Query: Source for Sodium Hydroxide
Does anyone know where to buy 10% sodium hydroxide?
Ian Klein, DPM, St. Petersburg, FL
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (RELEVANT RESEARCH) | |
RE: Increase in Diabetic Foot Amputations Seen During COVID-19 Lockdown
From: Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH
The role of podiatric medicine in the COVID-19 pandemic has been further emphasized. Patients with diabetes admitted to a tertiary care center for diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) during the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy had a more than three-fold risk for amputation versus patients seen in 2019, according to a report published online July 23 in Diabetes Care conducted at the University of Campania in Italy. There was no significant differences in clinical and biochemical measures, except for urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, which was significantly higher in the 2020 group.
In addition, there were no differences seen in ulcer duration; prevalence rate of peripheral artery disease, neuropathy, and osteomyelitis; or the percentage of patients reporting a previous history of DFU. In the 2020 group there was a significantly higher prevalence of gangrene (64 versus 29 percent) and a higher proportion of patients requiring amputation (60 versus 18 percent). The researchers indicated that there was a higher risk of amputation observed during the COVID-19 lockdown confirming the need for proper and timely management of DFU patients to prevent a reduction of quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality.
Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PM ARTICLES) | |
From: Alan Sherman, DPM
After reading the carefully presented case made by APMSA President Israel Bowers, I am compelled to agree with his conclusion that the CSPE, the Clinical Skills Patient Encounter, Part II of the APMLE, and the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Exam, should be cancelled this year. The dueling issues seem to be the profession’s need to verify the competency of 4th year students vs. the safety impact on these students of all physically traveling to a central location to take the exam during COVID and their need to be focusing on education rather than traveling and testing.
There is no doubt that the clinical education of 4th year students has been severely impacted by COVID-19. Taking them away from any clinical training, now or while they are in residency, is undesirable. By Mr. Bowers' reporting, the APMA requested the exam be cancelled, followed in turn by the FPMA, the CPMA, the PPMA, and the AACPM making the same request. A survey showed that 95% of students believe the exam should be cancelled. Mr. Bowers' specific and well-articulated concerns are...
Editor's note: Dr. Sherman's extended-length letter can be read here.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (CODINGLINE CORNER) | |
From: Kristin Happel
First, the CPT 11423 should have been sent in on the claim as 11423-59-LT, and not as you listed it, which was 11423-LT-59. The modifier affecting payment (the 59) ALWAYS goes before the informational modifier (the LT). Second, the diagnosis of Q81.9 is most likely not a covered diagnosis for 11423, which is why you received the "not medically necessary" denial. When I look in the Podiatry Coding Companion, Q81.9 is not a covered diagnosis, so that backs up my theory. 11423 is for the excision of a benign lesion, with margins of 2.1 cm to 3.0 cm.
The diagnosis Q81.9 is for epidermolysis bullosa. I think that the insurance company is not considering a bullosa the same thing as a lesion. There is perhaps a more accurate CPT code you could have billed in the 17XXX range, or it could be that the insurance company considers this a cosmetic procedure, and not a medically necessary procedure. To prevent denials moving forward, I suggest calling the insurance company and getting approval for all surgical codes/diagnoses to be used prior to surgery.
Kristin Happel, Office Manager for Dr. Elizabeth Sosinski
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| YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP | |
RE: Outrageous Shoe of the Day
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Unique way to carry spare straps? |
Source: Tetsuo Mukai via Virtual Shoe Museum
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MEETING NOTICES
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NEED CME CREDITS FAST?
PODIATRY MANAGEMENT'S AFFORDABLE ONLINE CME
You can Earn up to 50 Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH) Online
Earn 15 CECH only $249 (less than $17 per CECH)
podiatrym.com/cme.cfm
All required credits can be taken online for AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, DE, HI, IN, KS, LA, MA, ME, MI, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NM, ND, OH, OR, RI, SC, SD, UT, VA, VT, WV, and WI
Partial required credits can be taken online for AZ, FL, GA, ID, KY, IL, ID, IA, MD, MN, MO, MT, NE, NH, NY*, NC, OK, PA, PR, TN, TX, WA, and DC
Choose any or ALL from 25+ CECH Category-1 articles posted
*NY Licensees whose registrations are from 3/20-9/1/20 can take unlimited online credits
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| CLASSIFIED ADS - ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS |
ASSOCIATE POSITION - FLORHAM PARK, NJ
Well-established practice looking to hire an associate for a part time/full time position. Must be surgically trained, willing to work hard, and grow the practice. Highly competitive salary. Modern office with the latest and most advanced equipment. Partnership potential. Please send CV to: Drsteinberg@florhamparkpodiatry.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – SOUTH FLORIDA
High volume, progressive full scope practice with multiple-locations throughout South Florida seeks compassionate, motivated ABFAS BQ/BC Associate. Competitive salary and benefits with in-house MRI, CT, Vascular Services, Pathology, Pharmacy, DME, residency involvement, accomplished mentors, and more. Excellent opportunity for surgical volume and diversity to accelerate board certification. Send CV to kkinmon@certifiedfoot.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Our podiatry group is a well-established, busy practice in Orange County, CA, with 2 office locations to serve our patients. Associate positions available for immediate consideration with potential for partnership. Offering competitive compensation. Must have completed 3-year surgical residency and board qualification or certification. Email CV and bio to asbpodiatry@gmail.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - WASHINGTON STATE
Looking for a motivated, surgically trained new graduate/experienced practitioner to join our team of two podiatrists as associate leading to partner. Diverse practice including two locations in beautiful Kitsap/Olympic peninsula with multi-disciplinary ASC and new regional hospital. contact hr@kitsappodiatry.com
FULL TIME ASSOCIATE – FLORIDA
National comprehensive lower extremity physician group seeks full-time Podiatrist for busy practice in rural town in FL. Ideal combo of small / big city life or love outdoors, hunting or fishing! Established patient base with high growth potential. Great clinic / surgery balance. ABFAS or ABPM BQ/BC. Current FL license preferred. Comprehensive comp & health benefits including 401K, PTO, malpractice, partnership path & add’l benefits. Please send CV to physicianrecruitment@upperlinehealth.com
FULL-TIME ASSOCIATE POSITION – FLORIDA PANHANDLE
Immediate position available for hard-working, motivated individual in a well-established practice. Equal mix of primary care and surgery. Excellent opportunity to get on all insurance panels. Board qualified/Certified with ABPS preferred. Competitive salary and benefit package. Please email CV and letter of interest to recruiting@feetareneat.com.
FULL TIME PODIATRIST- NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
We are a fast-growing podiatry practice in North Jersey with multiple locations and Doctors. We are currently looking for a full-time motivated and caring Doctor to join our busy practice. Some benefits include: competitive six-figure salary, generous bonus structure, health insurance (including vision & dental), paid vacation time off, paid malpractice insurance and CME time off. Great prospects for experienced Doctors as well as new Associates. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your Podiatric medical and surgical experience in an office-based practice! If interested, please submit your CV to DrSamofal@PodiatryCenterNJ.com
PODIATRY POSITION AVAILABLE – NORTHWEST PA
Well over six figure salary, company car, bonuses. NW PA. Hiring both surgical and non-surgical podiatrists. Email interest and CV to Penndoc@verizon.net
ASSOCIATE POSITION- PHOENIX, AZ
Well established and growing podiatry practice has an immediate opportunity for an associate. Must have completed a 3 year surgical residency, have Board Qualification, AZ License and bilingual Spanish is a +. We have several office locations in the Greater Phoenix area ready for someone to make the most of. We have a good balance of office and surgical practice. Base pay with bonus package, with other benefits included. Looking to fill immediately. Immediate opening must have a current AZ License. Please submit resumes to: podiatryaz@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - UPSTATE NEW YORK. FINGER LAKES REGION
Great opportunity. Multiple locations. Very busy practice. Surgical to wound care to general podiatry. No nursing homes. Board qualified/certified a must. Salary and benefits. Looking for motivated, caring individual leading to possible partnership. Reply to: lew@eastsidepodiatry.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – KENTUCKY
Associate positions available for well-trained, compassionate physician for busy, established offices in Southern Kentucky. Wide range of services to be offered with ancillary services onsite. Generous salary with incentive/full benefits and partnership opportunity. Email CV and cover letter to: Kyfootdr@gmail.com
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 18,000 DPMs AND STUDENTS
Whether you have used equipment to sell or are offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 18,000 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@prodigy.net or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at davidekagan@gmail.com or call (215) 808-0770
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| CLASSIFIED ADS - PRACTICES FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE |
PRACTICE FOR SALE, MOTIVATED SELLER - LOS ANGELES AREA, ENCINO
Thirty four year old practice, turn-key. General podiatry and sports medicine. It’s a great opportunity. Will stay a while to introduce you to the patients and give you my pearls of wisdom. Serious inquiries only please. Drfeet@roadrunner.com 818-798-8733.
PRACTICE FOR SALE - PENINSULA SF BAY AREA
Revenues 2019 $671K (+30%), 2018 $515K (+26%), 2017 $409K (+13%) 2016 $316K – Picture yourself 3 years from now and the practice is making $1 million or more. You can do it! With the powerful yet deceptively simple secrets we used! Email newtoslac@yahoo.com so we can start a discussion and provide you with documentation. Don’t Delay: Accepting offers till September 30th ish. P.S. Why are we leaving? Kids are grown. We are ready for a new adventure. Opening practice in another state. P.P.S. Training provided for new practitioners if desired.
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 18,000 DPMs AND STUDENTS
Whether you have used equipment to sell or are offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 18,000 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@prodigy.net or call (718) 897-9700 for details.
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| Disclaimers |
Acceptance and publication by this newsletter of an advertisement, news story, or letter does not imply endorsement or approval by Barry Block or Kane Communications of the company, product, content or ideas expressed in this newsletter. Podiatric Medical News does not represent the views, and is a separate entity from Podiatry Management® Magazine and Podiatry Management® Online. Any information pertaining to legal matters should not be considered to be legal advice, which can only be obtained via individual consultation with an attorney. Information about Medicare billing should be confirmed with your State CAC.
THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR
ENTITY TO WHICH IT IS ADDRESSED AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS
PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE.
If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an
employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the
intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly
prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please
immediately notify me and you are hereby instructed to delete all
electronic copies and destroy all printed copies.
DISCLAIMER: Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be
either timely or free of viruses.
| | Guidelines |
- To Post a message, send it to: bblock@podiatrym.com
- Notes should be original and may not be submitted to
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permission.
- Notes must be in the following form:
RE: (Topic)
From: (your name, DPM)
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- Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.
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