The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,000 Podiatrists Daily

November 25, 2006 #2,749 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2006- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.

LA Podiatrist Uses Taylor Spatial Frame to Treat Fractures

Over the years, the bones in the arch can collapse. And it's no surprise. As shock absorbers, human feet cushion up to 1 million pounds of pressure in just one hour of exercise. Timothy Syperek, D.P.M., is uses a Taylor Spatial Frame to fix such feet. "No longer do we have to actually cut through bone and forcefully shove it or push it one way and try to put a bolt or a rod through it and say, 'There, stay,'" Dr. Syperek, a podiatric surgeon at Ochsner Health Center in Baton Rouge, LA

Dr. Timothy Syperek

Instead, the frame allows the body's natural healing ability to do the work. Dr. Syperek cut through Francese's bones to make a surgical fracture. Then, he attached the frame. Wires run through the bones to hold it in place. "If you stretch that bone out very slowly over time the body will fill that space in with bone," Dr. Syperek says. Six different struts adjusted by one millimeter a day pull the bones into the right position as the foot heals. A computer program tells doctors how to dial in each strut. Every day, new bone forms to fill in the gap.

The Taylor Spatial Frame can be used to treat fractures, most deformities, including those caused by stroke, trauma or improperly healed fractures and it can even help Charcot disease, a foot condition that affects up to 70 percent of diabetics. The frame stays on for about six weeks. Patients are told not to walk, but they can move their feet without the frame. Dr. Syperek calls it a high-speed erector set for doctors.

View video at www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=14943

Source: Ivanhoe Broadcast News [11/22/06]

MA Podiatrist Meets with Queen After Historical Find

Podiatrist Jay Segel and attorney Ron Monterosso are in London meeting with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to recount the story of Sachem Mohamet, a native American who traveled to England in the late 1700s to try and get his tribe's land back. The two men, who own New England Antiquarian Research and Title, were hired by the Mohegan tribe to research the final resting place of their great leader.

Through an extensive review of tax, property and other records, they were able to ascertain that Mohamet died of Smallpox and was buried in an unmarked grave on the banks of the Thames river.

Dr. Jay Segel

Dr. Segel said he was pleased that he and Mr. Monterosso were able to help the Mohegans properly commemorate someone of such historical significance to the tribe. "It's really satisfying to be able to finally be able to tell this man's story, it had been lost for so long," he said.

Full story at:

www.mvgazette.com/features/index.php?story=20061124_sachem_mohamet

Source: Jim Hickey, Edgartown Vineyard Gazette (MA) [11/23/06]

Codingline Oakland "Strictly Coding*" Seminar
Seminar Sponsor: ICS Software
January 20, 2007 - Samuel Merritt College; California School of Podiatric Medicine

Topics: Medicare & CPT 2007 - Routine Foot Care - Surgical Coding - Forms in Practice - Modifiers - "What to Do When...?" - Audits - Q&As
Speakers: Tony Poggio, DPM and Harry Goldsmith, DPM

For information and registration, contact hgoldsmith@codingline.com (online information available 11/18/07 at www.codingline.com/events-oakland.htm)

For a list of all meetings go to: www.podiatrym.com/meetings.pdf

Query: EMR/ Digital X-Ray Systems

Midwestern University is presently researching for an EMR and digital x-ray system. Does anyone have experience with Misys or GE Centricity EMR? All Pro or other digital systems?

Gary Friedlander, DPM, Associate Professor, Arizona Podiatric Medical Program, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ

Query: Responsibility to Report Peers?

Over the years I’ve had doubts about the extent of my responsibility to report what I considered to be sub-standard care or fraudulent billing. There is a local podiatrist that has injected most of his patients who have found their way into my office. He seemingly injects every patient on every visit, no matter what the chief complaint.

Recently two patients have come into our office who had recent failed bunion surgery. Both of their op reports describe an Austin, but it is obvious on the x-rays that only a Silver without a metatarsal osteotomy was done. I’ve always kept my opinion to myself and just told the patients that I can take of their problems. What is the right thing to do in these cases where it appears there is an egregious breach in the standard of care?

Name Withheld

Editor’s Comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. While podiatry has made great strides in the past few decades, a few “rotten apples” hinder our progress. When it is obvious that professional misconduct is occurring, it is the ethical responsibility of a podiatrist to report another podiatrist to the state licensing board. This applies to incompetence, fraudulent billing, or even drug or alcohol addictions or criminal activity.

In states such as New York, a healthcare provider who is aware of another practitioner’s professional misconduct and fails to report it is himself/herself guilty of professional misconduct. Once you’ve made the report, which you can often do anonymously, the state will investigate and take appropriate measures.

RE: Operating on the Wrong Foot
From: Ira Weiner, DPM

Recently one of my hospitals enacted a new policy regarding this. In addition to the "time out" before surgery, and placing a mark on the leg to be operated on, the surgeon must place his signature in pre-operative holding on the area to be addressed. This is done before the patient is medicated, and the patient signs off on this as well.

Ira Weiner, DPM, Las Vegas, NV,

RE: Post-op DVT after HRT (Michael Chin, DPM)
From: Melissa Gaffney, DPM

I also had a patient of mine on HRT develop DVT after a single interspace neuroma surgery. She, however, was more sedentary than I advised her to be and used crutches. She had no other risk factors for DVT other than the HRT. I may begin to D/C HRT prior to surgery from now on. DVT/ PE seems to be more and more prevalent in recent years. I have had 3 patients immobilized post fracture or tendonitis in a cast without surgery develop DVT and a twice a PE (very scary). One patient had no other risk factors other than obesity. The other 2 had venous insufficiency with 1 patient I found out later also had family history of blood clots.

Melissa Gaffney, DPM Martins Ferry, OH, missygaffney@yahoo.com

RE: Teaching Billing (Mak Yousefpour, DPM)
From: Lisa Schulze

I am the owner of L C Medical Management. We are a podiatric billing and practice management company dealing ONLY in the podiatric field with over fifteen years experience. I am available for telephone or email inquiries and would consider on-site training, as well, if necessary. I can be reached at or by phone (210) 495-6477 ext. 103.

Lisa Schulze San Antonio, TX, lisa.schulze@yahoo.com

RE: Flouroscan/ Mini C-arm (Ken March, DPM)
From: Marc Katz, DPM

My experience has been that the OEC C-Arm does do very well with stress fractures. The nice feature of these machines is that you can enlarge the area in question and get amazing detail.

I would stay away from a used unit. I purchased one and ended up with a lemon from a very popular mini C-arm company that pushes sales to podiatrists. After my machine went belly up after less than two years and $$$$, the same "gentleman" bought my unit back for 6K to sell back to YOU. Be very careful. Learn from my mistake please. Buy new.

Marc Katz, DPM, Tampa, FL, dr_mkatz@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – VANCOUVER CANADA

Associate superb opportunity- beautiful Victoria, BC, Canada- multi office ,future buy-in. Full scope Podiatry Write Dr.Cole@shaw.ca.for further details. Exam given in June 2007.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW ENGLAND

Terrific Opportunity Now Available in growing New England practice. Well established and respected practice with new, large office space, latest technology, very helpful staff, loyal patients and solid referral base. Close proximity to hospitals with modern surgical suites. Opportunity for shared ownership. Prefer 24 month PSR with clinical practice experience or an experienced doctor looking to improve their situation. E-mail CV and particulars to NEAFC3@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

Central California multilocation practice looking for PSR-36 associate leading to partnership. PSR-36 trained podiatrist with great opportunity for reconstructive surgical practice. Practice has Medicare-approved surgery center. Must have excellent interpersonal skills. Excellent salary and incentive. Respond to: westsidefoot@yahoo.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE – ASPEN COLORADO

Part-time practice seeing patients between 2 and 4 days per month. Grossing over $100k. Low Overhead . Last year when staffed 4 days a month, consistently grossed $140k. Fully equipped rooms in approximately 600 sq. feet. Open to any offers. 970.471.2049 mjs10vail@aol.com

WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (6x) for only $75

PM Classified Ads Reach over 9,000 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 8,000 DPM's. Write bblock@podiatrym.com for details. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451 dekagan@aol.com

• To Post a message, send it to:    bblock@podiatrym.com
• Notes should be original and may not be submitted to other publications or listservs without our express written permission.
• Notes must be in the following form:
  RE: (Topic)
  From: (your name, DPM)
  Body of letter. Be concise. Limit to 250 words or less). Use Spellchecker
  Your name, DPM City/State
• Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.