The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

November 04, 2011 #4,297 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Studies Confirm that Cotton Socks Not Best: Maryland Podiatrist

Socks are high on the list of things we take for granted. Whether it's for orthotic patients or for ourselves, we often select socks without giving the choice much thought, and yet the lowly sock can make a huge difference to its wearer's comfort, attitude, and safety—not to mention short- and long-term health, say footcare experts. 

Dr. James Christina

James R. Christina, DPM, director of scientific affairs for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) says, "It was thought for a long time that cotton socks were best, but there have been several studies that have shown that while cotton socks absorb moisture well, they don't wick it away from the skin, so there's actually an increase in blisters with the cotton sock. Several published papers and studies have confirmed this point."

Source: Judith Phillips Otto, The O & P Edge [11/2/11]

Discussions Underway to Merge OCPM and Kent State

Kent State will soon partner with the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine to emphasize research and feed the needs of the job market. In a joint statement Tuesday, the university and podiatry college acknowledged they are making “significant progress in talks designed to merge OCPM into Kent State.

Dr. David Nicolanti

OCPM Executive Vice President David Nicolanti said talks about a possible partnership began about six months ago. “We’re always pursuing beneficial relationships with other colleges and universities,” Dr. Nicolanti said. “We have not historically had a significant relationship with Kent, and we are interested in growing that.” Nicolanti said the college has had similar talks with other institutions in the education and healthcare industry.

Source: Daniel Moore, Kentwired.com [11/1/11]

OCPM Provides Foot Aid Station at 3-Day Race for the Cure 

Marie M. Blazer, DPM, class of 2004 and Larry Osher, DPM, class of 1982, supervised the evaluation and treatment of walkers at the Susan G. Komen 3-day Race for the Cure on Saturday, July 30, 2011. The 3-Day Race for the Cure route covers approximately 15-22 miles each day for three days in a row, totaling approximately 60 miles.

OCPM Volunteers at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Race for the Cure

The foot aid station was at the end of the 40-mile marker and consisted of seven student volunteers. The major conditions treated during the race were blisters and subungual seromas. 

Source: Footsteps [September/October 2011]

OR Podiatrist Part of New Rural Health Clinic

Tillamook County General Hospital announced Oct. 27 plans to open a new rural health clinic with improved ambulance facilities in Manzanita by January 2012. Tillamook Medical Group/Manzanita Primary and Specialty Care will offer obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, podiatry, and internal medicine. 

Dr. Scott Doherty

Podiatrist Dr. Scott Doherty, who has been practicing once a week out of the Rinehart Clinic in Wheeler, will move to the new clinic as well. Other care specialists will see patients either weekly and/or monthly. Additional services may be added as requested by the community.

Source: Tillamook Headlight Herald [11/2/11]

Doc Pay Cut Revised Down to 27.4%

Physicians will face a slightly smaller but still massive cut in their Medicare payment rates under a revised schedule the administration issued Tuesday for the fees it plans to pay starting in 2012.

An across-the-board Medicare payment reduction of 27.4% is expected, according to the new fee schedule, which is slightly less than the 29.5% cut the administration had previously anticipated. The cuts are mandated under the program's cost-control funding formula established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Congress is considering a variety of proposals to again delay payment cuts, as it has repeatedly voted to do in recent years.

Source: Rich Daly, Modern Healthcare [11/2/11]

CMS Extends Deadline to File for ePrescribing Hardship Exemption

After hearing yesterday that some physicians were having difficulty accessing the CMS Communication Support Page, the AMA was able to work with CMS to secure an extension. The new deadline to file for an e-prescribing hardship exemption is Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

The link for filing for a hardship exemption can be found by clicking here.

Source: CMS

Avoid Overused Phrases

Make your practice's website stand out with unique descriptions of what you do. Steer clear of phrases such as “Full-service provider.” Set your practice apart from the masses. Be clear and original in describing what you offer patients. They are looking for a specific service, so be specific in your writing.

Example: “One Step Podiatry offers both conservative and surgical treatments for painful foot and ankle conditions.”

Source:  Adapted from “Why Is Business Writing So Awful?” Jason Fried, Inc., via Communication Briefings
 

RE: Excellent Article on MRI (Lawrence Oloff, DPM)
From: Barry Mullen, DPM
 
Dr. Oloff hits the perverbial nail on the head with his recent MRI comments...AND on multiple fronts, particularly as it relates to diagnostic studies pertaining to differential diagnosis corroboration and subsequent formation of appropriate treatment plan institution. Lastly, can one ever go wrong treating patients as they would family members? THAT philosophical practice approach is an absolute recipe for: 1) long term success 2) reduction of malpractice lawsuits, and 3) garnering respect from one's medical community.
 
Barry Mullen, DPM, Hackettstown, NJ, yazy630@aol.com

RE: Measure 13 (John Moglia, DPM)
From: Michael L. Brody, DPM

Measure 13 is to provide clinical summaries for each office visit. You can provide electronically or on paper. If there is not an electronic route, just print out the clinical summary and give the patient the paper version.

Michael L. Brody, DPM, Commack, NY, mbrody@tldsystems.com

RE: Early Diagnosis of Bunions Can Prevent Surgery (Robert Bijak,  DPM, Dennis Shavelson, DPM)
From: Michael B. DeBrule, DPM

I strongly agree with Dr. Bijak that there are no studies yet demonstrating orthotics can slow or prevent hallux valgus. There is good evidence that custom foot orthotics can reduce pain associated with bunions, but are not as effective as surgery. See "Custom-made foot orthoses for treatment of foot pain" in Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008 July 16(3): CD006801. However, foot orthotics can also treat additional problems that can appear with bunions like cavus, pronation syndrome, hallux limitus, etc.

I commend Dr. Shavelson for developing his own theory on orthotic function. His ideas seem similar to the ideas proposed by Glasoe, et al. Orthotics bolster the arch to re-orient the first met axis for patients with bunions. See Phys Ther 2010 Jan 90(1): 110-20. We can’t say if Shavelson is wrong or right. We can only say that we need more studies.

Michael B. DeBrule, DPM, Marshall, MN, Dr.DeBrule@InnovativeFootCare.com

RE: ACFAOM Presents PM Editor With Lifetime Achievement Award and Honorary Membership
From: Bret M. Ribotsky, DPM

Following up to the roast of Dr. Block at the ACFAOM meeting in Orlando last week, I need to make some comments. I would like to thank Dr. Block for being such a GREAT recipient of a lot of jabs and harpoons. Then again, as a DPM and an attorney, he must be used to a lot of jokes. Great job to Drs. Bakotic and Joseph and the many, many doctors who participated via videos (Drs. Armstrong, Prudy, Goldsmith, Taubman, Hubbard, Foster, Rogers, Gastwirth, as well as those who contributed by sending in material to use. To those who did not send in your videos on time, Drs. Bijack, Udell, Ornstein, etc., don’t worry, we made fun of you as well .

I have been told that ACFAOM will be releasing the video soon.  I think this event will live in podiatric history, as a “centennial moment” that every fan of PM News should see. I feel honored to be asked to emcee this event, and feel very lucky to call Dr. Barry Block a friend to me and to our profession.

Bret M. Ribotsky, DPM, Boca Raton, FL, ribotsky@yahoo.com

SPACE AVAILABLE - NYC & LI

Office to sublet and share - East 60th Manhattan, and Plainview, Long Island. access to an MRI, Joint Commission certified operating rooms, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, and access to a multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center. Also availability E 22nd between 2nd and 3rd and E 70th off 3rd. Turn-key operation - no investment needed 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.COM 

PODIATRY OFFICE TO SHARE - SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

 Fully equipped podiatry office in North Gate area of Seattle. Office located in medical professional building near I-5. Office has 3 treatment rooms, 3 physical therapy rooms, direct digital x-ray, PAD- net, NCV testing equipment, physical therapy equipment. Please contact us: website Tel. 425-643-8901 isbinc2006@gmail.com

SUB LEASING TIME on MRI (NYC)

Don't refer out $$ when they can go into your pocket. Beautiful state-of-the-art 5th Avenue medical office is offering lease time on a .31 tesla Esaote extremity MRI, complaint with Stark laws. This particular magnet is the only one accepted by insurances and Medicare as of 2012. For more information email dri@myfcny.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - CRYOPAC, LASER UNITS

1 Cryopac unit for cryosurgery with 3 probes for sale at $1,000 - 1 Class III ML830 nm laser for sale $1,000 - used for pain management and inflammation control, great cash generator.. Contact: klamdpm@hotmail.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE -  REVO VASCULAR SYSTEM

REVO vascular system for sale, 3 years old, excellent condition, all probes and digit sensors in excellent working condition. Asking $4,000 or best offer. Please contact drkhoury@nefas.us

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE – 2 MICROVAS UNITS

2 used Microvas units (approximately 5 years old) for sale at $6,,000 each plus shipping. Each unit includes 1 carrying case, 8 flex cable leads, 1 battery charger. Paid $16,000, for each machine. Great way to add therapy modality to your practice. Contact: DrBlatstein@comcast.net

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - (2) MICRO-VAS UNITS
 
Less than one year old. Barely used and in excellent condition. We have seen remarkable improvement in Diabetic neuropathy, tendonitis, fibromyalgias, and atypical neuropathies. Also works great to reduce limb edema. Can be used for acute & chronic conditions. Selling $10K each, or both for $17.5K. Contact: coastalmgr@gmail.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - CLASS FOUR LASER- USED K-LASERS

I have used K-laser for sale. Still in Warranty. Used for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, neuroma, arthritic conditions and even fungus toe nails This laser is portable, re-chargeable and can be move from room to room or office to office. This isn't the cold laser that you see. It is a 10 watt laser. We have used this laser on NFL sports players. For those that understand a good laser. E-mail David Zuckerman, DPM for Details and pricing. footcare@comcast.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE/LEASE - NORTHERN, NJ

Part-time practice for sale or lease. Flexible terms, will consider lease with option for sale. Structured for a fast sale, first option on real estate. Great opportunity for a start-up or satellite with immediate income. Call 201-573-0555 or 551-574-0776 billfeet@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHEAST GEORGIA - SAVANNAH

Beautiful weather year round & near the Coast. Opportunity for Early Buy-in. Seeking associate or new residency graduate to join practice. Must be PSR-24/36 trained. Multiple locations. Full range of services with new facilities. E-mail cover letter & CV to melissafoot@pol.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - EAST TENNESSEE

30 year old practice with 5 offices in greater Knoxville area seeking ethical, personable, hardworking, team player. Extremely competitive base salary with bonus incentives and benefits. Knoxville is consistently ranked in top 5 places in U.S. Post-residency experience a plus. Please send resume to ddavidphawk@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FLORIDA/N.W. FLORIDA- TALLAHASSEE AREA

Home of Florida State University. Great university town! Well established full scope solo physician with busy practice. Looking for a full time associate leading to partnership in a short time. Great general practice with 2 locations. Staff privileges with 2 local hospitals and 2 surgery centers. Offering competitive salary, health insurance. Will need forefoot and rearfoot surgical competency. Friendly office with fun staff that’s easy to work with. Call/Text – 850-510-4371.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MARYLAND

Multi-office group seeks highly trained surgical associate to join us. Prefer person with frame and trauma experience. Our practice is state-of-the-art and has all modalities: EMR, PadNnet, on-site billing, diagnostic US, PRP, digital x-ray, etc. Excellent salary, bonus structure and benefits with partnership available. Please forward CV and letter of intent to docsbnb@aol.com

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 13,500 DPM's and Students

Whether you have used equipment to sell or our offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 12,500 DPM's. Write to bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $109 for a 50-word ad THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.

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