The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

December 19, 2008 #3,429 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Specialty Shoes Not for Everyone: IN Podiatrist

Can the pricey shoes live up to all their makers’ claims, such as improved posture and muscle tone or helping a wearer burn more calories? “Like some things, I think they do a certain share of good. And like some things, there’s a bit of hype,” says Dr. Richard Jackson, a podiatrist with Fort Wayne Orthopaedics. For people with chronic pain along the ball of the foot, or a tight Achilles tendon, these types of shoes might help, along with stretching. “There is no magic shoe. What works well for one person doesn’t work well for another. You really have to try them on,” Jackson says.

Dr. Richard Jackson

MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology) shoes are designed to mimic striding barefoot on sand and are billed as “the anti-shoe,” while the Chung Shi brand takes inspiration from walking on bamboo mats. Jackson likes the shock-absorption capability of these shoes – most of us spend a lot of time walking on unforgiving concrete, which can stress feet, knees and hips over a lifetime – but he doesn’t recommend them for everyone. Patients who have issues with balance probably won’t like the MBT shoes, which have a strong rocking sensation. “MBTs are pretty well built but take some getting used to,” Jackson says.

Source: Stefanie Scarlett, The Journal Gazette (Ft. Wayne, IN) [12/18/08]

PA Podiatrist Receives Special Recognition Award

Dr. Robert B. Weber, a member of Phoenixville Hospital's surgical staff, was recently honored with the Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association (PPMA) Special Recognition Award at a banquet in Philadelphia. "This award means my peers appreciate all of the efforts I put into the profession at a local, state and national level," said Weber. "It's the first time I've ever won this award. Three of my residents were there to see me win this award."

Dr. Weber (L) receives award from Michael Q. Davis, Executive Director of PPMA.

Weber graduated from the New York School of Podiatric Medicine in 1969, and served in the United States Army from 1970 to 1974. Once the chief of podiatry at the Valley Forge General Hospital, Weber has been with Phoenixville Hospital since 1974. He joined the hospital's surgical staff in 1991.

Source: Dennis J. Wright, Phoenixville News (PA) [12/18/08]

IPMA Presents Best Walking City Award to Chicago

On December 17th, The Illinois Podiatric Medical Association (IPMA) presented the APMA Best Walking City Award to Dr. Terry Mason, Director, Chicago Department of Public Health. Chicago was voted the fourth best walking city in the nation by the APMA in conjunction with Prevention Magazine.

Dr. Paul Brezinski (middle) and IPMA PR Chairperson Dr. Ken Jacoby (left) present APMA Best Walking City Award to Dr. Terry Mason, Director, Chicago Department of Public Health.

After the presentation, both IPMA and the City of Chicago pledged to work more closely together on a number of health outreach initiatives.

RE: Subluxing Lesser Digit, Flexor Tendon (Jerry Cosentino, DPM)
From: Robert S. Schwartz, C. Ped

A simple, yet effective solution is the use of a hammertoe pad (with toe loop) placed under the sulcus of the 4th toe. This problem occurs during push-off in basketball, tennis, and other extreme propulsive turn and twist sports. It is further advised to make sure the last of the athletic shoe has enough room for the lateral side of the forefoot. Most athletic shoes are slightly adducted, adding excessive force against the lateral column. I had this problem myself and was successful with this treatment regimen.

Robert S. Schwartz, C. Ped., New York, NY, rss@eneslow.com

RE: TX Podiatrist Debunks Foot Detox Pads
From: Lewis Teich, DPM

Editor’s Note: Dr. Teich’s extended-length note appears at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=23655&start=1

RE: Recovering/Reupholstering Midmark Chair (Vince Marino, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

We recently had the cushions replaced on our Midmark 416/417 chairs by our local Surgical Supply representative, Chuck Mancini. The cushions are modular and are held in place by large strips of Velcro. The arm pads have only three large screws. The chairs look like new. I'm glad that Chuck did the replacement because, after years of use, the cushions did not come off as easily as I thought. I believe these chairs have been discontinued, so I would act promptly if you choose this route. The entire set of cushions cost about $450 per chair.

Greg Caringi, DPM, Lansdale, PA, drgregc@msn.com

You can order replacement pads for Midmark 417 exam chairs through any Midmark supplier, such as Moore Medical or Universal. We have replaced several over the years this way. They come in a variety of color samples to match your office. If you prefer to just have them recovered, any upholstery shop can do that. I had a chair repaired due to a rip, and used a company that also refinished the inside of cars. The material is very similar and they had the experience in working with it.

Brooke Weaver, Central Kansas Podiatry Associates, Brooke@ksfootdoc.com>

We had a local upholstering shop reupholster our chairs. Look for a shop that does car reupholstering.. They were able to match the colors and did an excellent job at a very decent price.

Neil A Burrell, DPM, Beaumont, TX, nburrell@gt.rr.com

RE: Insurance Contracts (Jeffrey Kass, DPM)
From: Bob Kornfeld, DPM, Simon Young, DPM

Dr. Kass is looking for the fix that does not go beyond the obvious. This is the absolute bottom line: Sign and don't expect more than you contract for (but certainly be prepared for less) or don't sign. What is obvious is that by not signing, you are in control of your practice once again.

Bob Kornfeld, DPM, Lake Success, NY, Holfoot153@aol.com

It is ironic that if two practitioners discuss fees, they are in violation of the law; yet insurance companies know all our billing fees and billing practices.

Now certain insurance companies link to other insurance companies. For example, Cigna out-of-network uses Multiplan in-network fees to doctors out-of-network in Cigna and in-network at Multiplan. Aetna does the same thing with FedMed.

I called the NYS insurance Dep't and was told that for-profit insurance companies do not state insurance approval to raise their rates. Isn't that interesting? They raise their fees to customers and unions and pay us less for our services. The question still to be answered is whether podiatry and possibly psychiatry are being singled out?

Since we are members of a union and union members are are insurance company customers, can the unions provide our state societies with a list of fees paid to allopathic medicine and podiatry? At least, once and for all, we’ll truly know if we are being sodomized? If so, hopefully we may be able to get payment parity.

Simon Young, DPM, NYC, NY, simonyoung@juno.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MANHATTAN

Park Avenue boutique practice seeks part-time associate. Experience and integrity necessary. Please fax resume and salary requirements to (212) 889-6150.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

FLEXIBLE, Part-Time opportunity with growing podiatric medical group. MUST have CURRENT DME supplier and Medicare provider numbers. Earn over $1,000 per day, with no nursing homes. Fill in any openings you currently have in your schedule. Flexible hours available for your available time blocks. If interested, e-mail scpodgroup@yahoo.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE – CONNECTICUT

Well-established. Grossing 200K; Norwalk/Westport CT. Dr. recently deceased. High Volume Medicare ; NO BROKERS; Please email: berist92@gmail.com

CASE CONSULTING

Dennis Shavelson, DPM is now accepting referrals of difficult cases involving biomechanics, surgical complications, non-healing wounds diagnostic and treatment dilemma’s and subtalar stenting from DPM’S. Full reporting with second opinion only, rapid return after care and assumption of care options. Medicare and Out-of-Network Only. (212) 288-3668 or drsha@lifestylepodiatry.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – SOUTH JERSEY

Looking for additional income? We are looking for a part-time associate for busy South Jersey, Burlington, NJ area to help with hospital & nursing home consults, house calls and possibly office hours. Very flexible hours that can be scheduled around your open time blocks. If interested, e-mail CV to jstuart24@comcast.net

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO -- NW IND & BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON, DC

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists in Chicago, Northwest Indiana, and Baltimore, MD. 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 Visit our website

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for part-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in Chicago. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to f-massuda@footexperts.com

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