The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 10,000 Podiatrists Daily

December 07, 2007 #3,111 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2007- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.

Back Pain Can be Caused By Shoe/Foot Problems: NJ Podiatrist

Foot pain can be debilitating and chronic, and lead to other serious problems. Here is some information about the proper care of your feet, from Dr. William A. Freundlich, a surgeon podiatrist and director of The Wound Center at St. Mary's Hospital in Passaic.

Dr. William A. Freundlich

Q. Can back pain be caused by foot or shoe problems?

Freundlich: Yes. The feet are the foundation of a healthy upright posture. The two most likely factors in the development of back pain are differences in the length of a person's legs and excessive "pronation" or turning inward of the foot and leg. This can occur for many different reasons. Some of the most likely culprits include abnormal development of the leg or foot, or wearing shoes with heels that are more than 2 inches high. The real villain here is the fact that pronation places undue stress on the muscle that attaches to the spine from the hip, which causes pain.

A few ways to correct these problems are: compensating for pronation by wearing an arch support (orthotics); replacing your heels before they wear down too much, especially if one of your heels always seems to wear down faster than the other; wearing sensible shoes for the activity that you are engaging in; and keeping limber by stretching the major muscle groups of your lower body daily.

Source: Betsy Querna, New Jersey.com (12/4/07]

“Pain is a Gift” - Armstrong

In 2006, Dr. David Armstrong evaluated the shoe sizes of 440 patients at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in southern Arizona, and found that nearly 75 percent of the veterans were wearing improperly sized shoes.

Dr. David G. Armstrong

"Pain is a gift," said Armstrong, associate dean of the William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, and a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association. "It's a gift that no one wants, but a gift, nonetheless. Patients with diabetes lose that gift."

It's often hard for patients to pinpoint when neuropathy sets in, but a doctor can test the sensitivity on both feet. Once the pain sensation is lost, "they can't feel when they're in discomfort. They'll wear a hole in their foot, the same way you or I will wear a hole in our sock," said Armstrong.

Source: ABC News [12/5/07]

9th Circuit Panel Rejects Appeal From Former MO Podiatrist

A federal appeals court panel has upheld the sentence of former Missoula podiatrist Bart Holt. Holt pleaded guilty to coercing and enticing a minor into having sex, and to possessing child pornography. In November of last year, he was sentenced by a federal judge to 10 years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release.

Holt was arrested in August 2005. He had traveled to Billings to meet with a person he thought was a 13-year-old girl, with whom he'd been having online sexual conversions. Instead, he was met by FBI agents. An investigation later turned up numerous images of child pornography that Holt received over the Internet. Holt also admitted engaging in similar conversations with a 14-year-old girl in Great Falls.

Source: Katie Oyan, Associated Press [12/5/07]

Query: Repairs for Surgical Hand Pieces

Does anyone know of a good source to repair hand pieces? I have an Osada hand piece that needs repair. .
,
Paul Galluzzo, DPM, Freeport IL

Query: Medent or Pragnocis EMR

Does anyone use either Medent or Pragnocis EMR? What has been your experience with either of these systems?

Atta J. Asef DPM, Cleveland, OH

RE: Used Surgical Handpieces (Gary Hoberman)
From: Samuel Cox, DPM

Try this company in Tucson, AZ. They have a huge selection of refurbished surgical handpieces and other surgical equipment at good prices.

http://www.medfixinc.com/

Samuel Cox, DPM, Goodyear, AZ, scox@cox.net

RE: Educating The Medical Community About Podiatry (Frank DiPalma, DPM)
From: Zeeshan Husain, DPM, Mike Boxer, DPM

I have been using the ACFAS Patient Education CD-ROM (4 disks have been put out) to give to patients, have in patient rooms, and give to referring doctors to give to their patients. The 2-sided sheet gives someone basic information with regards to numerous podiatric pathology. In addition, there is room on the back to add your office information or whatever you wish to add. There are at least 10 topics on each disk. We usually will rotate the sheets in our office periodically.

Zeeshan Husain, DPM, Rochester, MI, zee@alum.mit.edu

The way to educate the medical community is by responding to each physician who referred a patient with a complete medical report on their patient. I have been doing this for over 40 years in my community and all of the physicians in my community know what I do and essentially what "podiatry" does. Every new patient receives a thorough history and a complete podiatric physical examination. The exam covers vascular, neurologic and orthopedic areas no matter what the chief complaint is.

For example, under the vascular exam not only are pulses, skin color, texture, hair distribution, capillary return, skin temperature, temperature gradients, etc. checked, but Doppler studies are performed along with photoplethysmography, oscillography, ankle/brachial ratios and systolic pressures are determined in all pedal vessels along with upper extremity blood pressure. The neurologic and ortho exams are equally as extensive. A medical report is then sent to the patient's physician. The report contains the chief complaint, history of the chief complaint, medical and surgical histories, physical exam findings, treatment and recommendations. This will educate the medical community and show physicians what you do and what podiatry does.

Additionally, if you do a complete exam, you will pick up all kinds of medical problems such as cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, etc. again giving you the opportunity show what podiatry does and to make referrals. This is the way to educate the medical community. Pamphlets will simply not do the job.

Mike Boxer, DPM, Woodmere, NY, MCBDPM@aol.com

ASSOCIATE WANTED – NEW YORK IMMEDIATE OPENING

Busy multi-dimensional practice; 70 miles north of New York City . Currently five (5)-doctor practice. looking to expand – all phases of podiatric medicine. contact: (845) 454-8308 EXT: 106

ASSOCIATE POSITION - VIRGINIA

Immediate opening. Multi-office practice, EMR, digital x-rays, sonography. Great opportunity for mature, well trained new or established surgeon. Hospital and surgery center privileges. ABPS eligible/certified. Full scope of foot and ankle care. Base salary, incentive, and benefits. Email CV to practice administrator at: mtrevor41@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - WEST COAST, FL

Outstanding opportunity for PSR-36 graduate to join highly successful group podiatry practice in Summer 2008. Seeking a sociable, articulate graduate who is confident in rearfoot and ankle reconstructive cases but also enjoys all phases of podiatry. Long-term opportunity for the right candidate with generous pay and benefits. Reply to jwicks@ips-med.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA

Multi-specialty group is looking to add another Podiatric Surgeon or General Podiatrist to our well-established group. Office locations in northwestern Pennsylvania. Unlimited opportunities exist for the right Associate, wound care experience is a plus. Please forward your CV to adminsec@ips-mso.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

WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (5x) for only $85

PM Classified Ads Reach over 10,000 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 10,000 DPM's. Write bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451 Ext

• 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.