The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,800 Podiatrists Daily

October 15, 2007 #3,066 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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ME Podiatrist Elected President of FPMB

Roy B. Corbin of Bangor, a member of the Maine Board of Licensure of Podiatric Medicine, was elected president of the Federation of Podiatric Medical Boards at its annual meeting in Philadelphia.

Dr. Roy B. Corbin

He has served for 12 years on the Maine Board of Licensure of Podiatric Medicine, serving now as the board's complaints officer. He is also chief of the Podiatry Section in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at St. Joseph Hospital and at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor

SourceL Bangor Daily News, [10/11/07]

OH Podiatrist to Receive Humanitarian Award From Ashland University

Ashland University has announced that Dr. Adam Ringler will receive The Drushal Humanitarian Award during the 2007 Homecoming Reunion and Awards Brunch.

Dr. Adam Ringler

Dr. Ringler earned a bachelor of science degree in biology and chemistry from AU. He went on to study at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, graduating first in his class in 2003. He served his podiatric surgical residency at Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, Fla., and passed his podiatric surgery exam in June 2006.

A founding member of the Steps of Life Foundation, Ringler takes two mission trips a year to operate on children in the Dominican Republic. Ringler has made presentations and authored articles about research in podiatry that have been published in professional journals.

Physician Gifts: New York Times Examines Minnesota Limit

The New York Times on Friday examined how a Minnesota law that limits gifts from pharmaceutical companies could lead to similar laws in other states. Under the law, Minnesota since 2005 has limited gifts from pharmaceutical companies to physicians to a value of $50 annually, and the "effect on drug makers has been profound," the Times reports. In the year after the limit took effect, the number of visits by pharmaceutical company sales representatives reported by primary care physicians in Minnesota decreased at about twice the rate reported by physicians nationwide, according to ImpactRx.

No other states have implemented similar limits, but New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram (D) in September announced the formation of a task force that will examine proposals to limit gifts from pharmaceutical companies to physicians and said she plans to examine the Minnesota limit. According to The Times, the "interest in legislation to register or limit the food, gifts and money that drug and device makers lavish on doctors stems from growing concerns that these benefits lead doctors to prescribe more, and more expensive, drugs and devices, raising the costs of health care and changing care to patients." Milgram said, "When you see a doctor, you should have confidence that the advice you get is based on what's best for you and not on some financial incentives or gifts that the doctor is getting."

However, Leslie Pott, a spokesperson for AstraZeneca, said, "We believe it is important that physicians have access to the latest information on our drugs," and, "given a physician's demanding clinical schedule, the most efficient time for doctors and medical staff to meet with representatives is often during lunch hour."

Source: Gardiner Harris, New York Times via American Health Line [10/12/07]

Query: Pulsating Bilateral Great Toe Pain

An otherwise healthy 25 year old female with unremarkable medical history reports pulsating pain of both great toes after some time while using an elliptical machine. The problem has worsened over past two years. The pulsating pain is equal bilateral and increases with her heart beat. There is no pain on palpation or ROM. She has a mild cavus-type foot. Her nails and pedal pulses are unremarkable, but her toes are somewhat cool. I would appreciate input.

Gary Hoberman, DPM, Chicago, IL

RE: Infrared Thermometers
From: Robert D. Teitelbaum, DPM

I noted in this month's JAPMA an article by James Foto, BSME, et.al., about hand-held infrared thermometers. One that I am familiar with (not mentioned in the paper) is the "Thermohawk 200." In fairness, it seems that thermometer "2" that they evaluated is a very close copy or prior incarnation of the Thermohawk.

Thermohawk

This particular instrument runs on two button batteries (supplied) and gives a reading in two seconds or less. I find that these thermometers give very useful information in conditions like stress fractures, gout, PVD, or malingering in workman's comp cases. The cost is about $30 and I keep one in each exam room and have one for the road. In addition, the Thermohawk-type instrument tested out better than the average thermometer evaluated in the JAPMA article. They are available from multiple sellers on E-Bay. Just put 'infrared thermometers" in the search box (I have no financial relationship with the manufacturers or distributors of the Thermohawk).

R.D.Teitelbaum, DPM, Naples, FL, Mfvandange@aol.com

RE: Transdermal Verapamil 15% Gel for Plantar Fibromatosis (Kenneth Jacoby, DPM)
From: Theresa Schinke, DPM

I have used this in two patients so far. Both noticed significant improvement in lesion size and discomfort within approx. 2 mos of consistent use. Insurance covered the medication for both patients. We utilized PDLabs for dispensing, they made the process very easy, taking care of any prior authorizations and all contact with patients.

Theresa Schinke, DPM Appleton, WI, tms10924@sbcglobal.net

RE: Wound Care Debridement Codes (Harry Goldsmith, DPM)
From: Jeffrey Crowhurst, DPM

In regard to wound care using CPT 97597, CPT 97598, and CPT 97602, Dr. Goldsmith’s comments may be good in California (I agree with Dr. Goldsmith) but not in Wisconsin Physicians Services Medicare jurisdiction (Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota). In new the WPS policy on Application of Bi-laminate Skin Substitutes and Skin Grafting policy, the Carrier states that these procedure codes could be used by providers instead of CPT 11040-44 series when appropriate. The CPT Assistant 2002 may say non-physicians but WPS allows physicians including podiatrists to use these codes.

If you do wound care in this jurisdiction, this policy is a must read.
http://wpsmedicare.com/policies/wisconsin/gsurg037.pdf

Jeffrey Crowhurst, DPM, Ottawa, IL, crowfoot@sbcglobal.net

RE: J. C. Littrell, DPM

Dr. Littrell was one of my mentors while in residency training, and I benefited greatly from his teachings. He was a kind, generous man who devoted a vast majority of his time to the betterment of our great profession, and I am grateful for having known him. He will be missed.

Robert A. Boudreau, DPM, Tyler, TX

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Multi-faceted 3-office practice needs motivated podiatrist. Opportunity for future partnership, buy-in, or purchase of an office. Willing to train practice management and surgery. Multiple hospital and surgical center privileges available. Forward CV to nolendpm2@yahoo.com or call (618)548-0057.

PODIATRY OFFICE FOR SALE – LONG ISLAND, NY

Fully equipped podiatry office for sale in Suffolk County Long Island NY. Very reasonable asking price $60,000. All equipment and patient files are included. Write bikerpod@optonline.net, or call 631 253-2046 Tue, Fri, Sat.

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