The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 10,000 Podiatrists Daily

November 26, 2007 #3,101 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Negative Heel Shoes Not For Everybody: CA Podiatrist

When MBTs or Masai Barefoot Technology shoes first arrived on America's shores in the summer of 2003, Bliss Spa called them the anti-cellulite shoe. Others refer to them as "the smallest gym in the world." Fashion magazines regularly feature these clunky wonders on their "must have" lists, and a local Pilates Website exhorts you to "walk your ass off" in them.

MBT Shoe

Ron Valmassy, podiatrist at the Center for Sports Medicine at St. Francis Memorial Hospital, adds a note of caution. He feels that although MBTs may be appropriate for people like dancers or those who do a lot of Pilates, not everyone will benefit from them. "They're harder to walk in. A lot of them seem like an accident waiting to happen" he says. "They put a lot of strain on the calf and hamstring, and the knee moves backward."

All MBTs come with an instructional DVD, and new customers are encouraged to wear the shoes for no longer than 45 minutes a day until they adjust to the shoes' feel and the muscles they activate.

Source: Amy Moon, San Francisco Chronicle [11/23/07]

MI Podiatric Resident Returns From Another Mercy Mission

Botsford Hospital podiatric resident, Angela Stoutenburg, D.P.M., recently returned from a podiatric medical mission to El Salvador. The mission, called the Baja Project for Crippled Children, brings podiatric foot and ankle surgeons together to help correct pediatric congenital deformities. This is not the first medical mission that Dr. Stoutenburg attended. In March, she traveled to Guatemala with 21 other Botsford physicians and volunteers to treat more than 3,200 men, women and children.

Dr. Angela Stoutenburg, left, and Elizabeth Vissat, a student from Chicago, with a child who was getting ready for surgery.

During the trip, Dr. Stoutenburg treated patients with cerebral palsy, clubfoot, Marfan’s disease and post-traumatic arthritis. The ages of the patients ranged from 2 to 54 years old, with the majority of patients being children.

I have always had a strong interest in helping those who are less fortunate, especially children," said Dr. Stoutenburg. "It is the most rewarding and fulfilling feeling to have just one child smile, hear them giggle or give you a hug."

Source: Farmington Observer (MI) [11/23/07]

Medicare Pilot Project to Pay More to Doctors Who Use EMRs

Physician groups reacted with cautious optimism to a new government pilot project that will give higher Medicare payments to doctors who adopt electronic medical records.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it wants 1,200 physician practices to participate. It will begin recruitment next summer, giving priority to small- and medium-sized practices. The agency has not determined how it will choose the practices. It also has not calculated how large the incentive payments will be. CMS will determine how much savings the program will generate and then calibrate payouts so the project ends up budget-neutral.

What physicians must do to get bonuses will vary throughout the five-year program, CMS explained. In the first year, physician practices will receive extra payment for using an approved EMR to manage patient care. In the last phase, the agency will base bonuses on practices' performance on designated clinical quality measures. At every stage of the project, practices that perform better than others will receive larger bonuses.

Dave Hansen, AMNews [11/26/07]

Query: Gray/Black Bone

I did a bunionectomy (see photo). The patient is in her early 50s, a heavy smoker, but otherwise healthy. I did a battery of tests and could only find elevated estrogen. The bone looked similar on the 5th met head, too.

Gray/Black Bone

Does anyone know what is going on with this patient's bone?

Michael Nirenberg, DPM, Merrillville, IN

Query: Maternity Leave

I will be going on maternity leave and wanted to know how others have handled their practice. If you have run into trouble or pitfalls in your own situations, what they are, and how can I avoid them prior to me leaving.

Jodi Schoenhaus, DPM, Boca Raton, FL

RE: Used Podiatry Equipment
From: Susan Wexler, DPM

I want to recommend a company that deals in used podiatry equipment…Angelus Medical in CA.

I have several used Midmark chairs and a Ritter autoclave from them. They are all in top condition. One of the chairs was quirky when it first arrived. They agreed to pay for me to have a repair tech fix the chair at their cost under my 3 month warranty.

Susan Wexler, DPM, Malden, MA, susan@maldenpodiatry.com

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO --NORTHWEST INDIANA

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Full and part time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com -- www.homephysicians.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - ILLINOIS

Excellent opportunity for ethical & personable hard-working individuals to join a busy multi-office two physician practice. Looking for one podiatrist with interest in conservative care, including sports medicine and one podiatrist trained in rearfoot surgery. Rearfoot surgeon must be board eligible and working toward board certification. Competitive salaries, 401-K, health insurance, paid vacation and more. Please forward CV with references to nrussell@neondsl.com

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