The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 14,000 Podiatrists Daily

November 15, 2012 #4,613 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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NY Podiatrist Spearheads Hurricane Relief Effort

With so many people in the greater New York metropolitan area devastated by Hurricane Sandy, a group of local residents took action to help out some of those who were in the most need. "When a disaster strikes, the bottom line is that we are all one and we have to help each other out," Armonk resident Dr. Kathy Reilly Fallon said. "You can't just sit back and wait for the mayor, or the government or Con Ed to help out."

Dr. Kathy Fallon (Rear, Center)

Reilly Fallon, along with fellow Armonk residents Donna Gizzi and Stephanie Shea as well as Pleasantville resident Sheryl Nolletti and Susan Kleinman of Bedford, spearheaded an effort to gather donations of items to bring to families in Far Rockaway, NY.

Source: Robert Michelin, Armonk Daily Voice

PA Podiatrists Renewed as 76ers Team Doctors

The Philadelphia 76ers have announced that they have renewed their partnership with Main Line Health, which will continue to provide medical services to the team under the designation of official healthcare provider. In the event of injury or illness, Main Line Health physicians will provide comprehensive medical care for the Sixers throughout the season. This year’s team doctors will include: Dr. Michael Grossman, Team Podiatric Surgeon and Dr. Lee Cohen, Podiatry Consultant.

(L-R) Drs. Michael Grossman and Lee Cohen

Dr. Grossman is a graduate of the William Scholl School of Podiatry and completed his residency at the Crozer-Chester Medical Center. Dr. Cohen is a graduate of the Temple University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the Podiatric Hospital of Pittsburgh, and a fellowship from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

90 Percent of Diabetic Hispanics Have Not Visited a Podiatrist for Essential Foot Care

Nearly 90 percent of U.S. Hispanics with the disease or at risk have not visited a podiatrist, according to the results of a new survey commissioned by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

Dr. Joseph Caporusso

"The feet often display the first signs of diabetes, which is why today's podiatrist is such an important specialist in the diabetes management team," said Joseph M. Caporusso, DPM, APMA president. "Taking a few brief moments to 'knock your socks off' at a podiatrist's office to have feet examined can reduce amputation rates by 45 to 85 percent."

Source: Freshnews.com [11/13/12] 

AENS Announces New President

At the Annual Symposium in Scottsdale, AZ on November 3, 2012, Dr. Robert Parker was inducted as the new president of the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons (ANES), a specialty medical organization and APMA-related organization. The society focuses on advancing treatment and research of the lower extremity nerves, especially in relation to chronic pain, nerve damage neuropathy, and nerve-related issues. 

Dr. Robert Parker

Dr. Parker is in private practice in Houston, TX and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgeons, Fellow of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons and Fellow of the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons. He is a graduate of the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine and served as Chief of the Podiatric Section on several Houston hospitals. He has held numerous offices, including President - Southwest Division ACFAS, Examiner – ABPS, and co-founder of the Harris County Podiatric Residency Program. He is active on the medical lecture circuit and published medical articles. He has currently focused his research and lectures on extremity nerve treatment. 

NYCPM and TUSPM Institute Their First Shared Grand Rounds via Webinar

On Friday, November 9, the New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM) and Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) instituted their first shared Grand Rounds via webinar. Faculty, students and staff from each college came together electronically to share interesting and educational case presentations.

The shared Grand Rounds came to fruition after NYCPM Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean, Michael J. Trepal, DPM and TUSPM Associate Dean Kieran Mahan, DPM came up with the idea, and asked faculty members Johanna Godoy, DPM from NYCPM and Gabriela Mendez, DPM from TUSPM to coordinate the project. Drs. Mendez and Godoy, who are long-time friends, and were co-residents, accomplished all the legwork and made the webinar happen. Both colleges anticipate this to be the first of many cooperative educational endeavors.

Bermuda Podiatrist Discusses Diabetic Neuropathy

On the eve of World Diabetes Day, local podiatrist Natalie Bennett said the condition is very common in Bermuda. She estimated that about 65 percent of her patients with diabetes develop diabetic neuropathy. Typically, it affects the toes and feet where nerves are the farthest away from the brain and spine. There may be a loss of feeling or sensation so that those affected are unable to detect problems as they arise. This often leads to infection and, in the most severe cases, amputation.

According to Ms Bennett, it’s imperative that diabetics are tested regularly for the condition. And simply knowing that you can feel your feet doesn’t mean you don’t have the problem. “Many of my clients say: ‘I can feel my feet!’ But when I test them, they actually have lost protective sensation,” she said. And she pointed out that diabetic neuropathy can take different forms. “Motor neuropathy affects stability and there’s a type of neuropathy where pain receptors are damaged, and the patient suffers constant pain in the feet and legs. This is an awful, very painful condition,” she added.

Source: Cathy Stovell, The Royal Gazette [11/13/12]

Common EHR Implementation Mistakes — and Their Effects

Often, the most obvious way implementation mistakes play out is a decrease in patient satisfaction. Patients are left waiting while employees or physicians try to play catch-up or fix what is wrong. Experts list common problems and their impact:

Common EHR Implementation Mistakes — and Their Effects

Source: Amednews

Support New Employees

Support new hires through the learning process. Commend their progress and don’t reprimand them for simple mistakes.

Source: Adapted from “Got a New Employee? 3 Ways to Show You Care,” Kathy Cuff, Blanchard LeaderChat via Communication Briefings

Query: Tenosynovitis

I have a 58 year old female patient who dropped a 40 lb. bag on top of her left foot 4 years ago. She has had pain and swelling that slightly waxes and wanes. She has received previous injections without any benefit. Recently, she saw an orthopod who ordered a diagnostic ultrasound that was read as a normal study except for ‘diffuse edema’ on the dorsum of the foot. 

The dorsum of the left foot has a bruised appearance with a mildly fluctuant, diffuse edema that extends 10 cm from the base of the toes, 6 cm wide distally and 8 cm wide proximally. There is a general tenderness overall with pain on palpation over the 2nd and 3rd met heads. I think she has tenosynovitis. I recommended an MRI to be read by a foot and ankle radioligist; she refused because she has already had numerous imaging studies. She wants surgery. I’ve operated on these before and they are a gooey mess that drain forever. Any other conservative treatment recommendations? Any surgical pearls for debriding tenosynovitis?

Scott Hughes, DPM, Monroe, MI

RE: The Passing of Jack Stern, DPM
From: Joseph Borreggine, DPM

Dr. Jack Stern was a presence and a pioneer for many years as a member of the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association and the podiatric profession. I had the opportunity to meet him in 1992 when I just became a member. I remember him fondly. He was a mentor to many DPMs in Illinois. He always had a bright smile on his face and was a very humble man. At IPMA events, he always had a camera in hand taking photos during any of those functions. He would always send any pictures that he took of attendees after the event.

The one story I remember him telling me was when met with the Governor of Illinois in Springfield, IL many years ago to discuss why podiatrists were not able to bill Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance for their services when OB/Gyn (who happened to be with him at the meeting) could not only provide foot care services, but get paid for them. The result of that meeting was that podiatrists were then able to get paid by BC/BS. Eventually, most third-party private payers followed suit.

It was that type of gumption that put podiatrists on the map in Illinois and the rest of the nation. He will be sorely missed as an ambassador to the profession. My condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Joseph Borreggine, DPM, Charleston, IL

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