The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,000 Podiatrists Daily

December 27, 2006 #2,775 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Athletic Shoes Ideal For Holiday Shopping: NY Podiatrist

Just as athletes can encounter aches and pains after an athletic event, shopping can leave you with a pain in the back, legs and feet - just when you want to sit down and enjoy the sight of your friends and family unwrapping the gifts you've worked so hard to collect. "People come back from shopping, and their back and legs hurt them, but they don't make the connection with their feet," explained Lori Weisenfeld, a sports podiatrist. "But certainly, if feet are not cushioned, pain will work its way up the body.

Dr. Lori Weisenfeld

"If they have flat feet, that puts pressure on the lower back and causes back and leg pain as well. If they have a high arch, shopping - especially in malls - is jarring - just horrible - for your feet. You'll need more shock absorption." The good news, according to Weisenfeld, is that with some easy prevention preparation, you can lessen the chances that you'll be bemoaning your back at Christmas Eve dinner.

Flat is not better. "People assume that a flat shoe that's a slipper, like those little ballet slipper-style shoes or a little slide or mule, are the best way to go, but that's the worst way to go for most people, especially if you are carrying heavy packages," said Weisenfeld, who's been practicing for 17 years. "What you want to do is have something with a lot of support and cushioning. Especially if your feet are flat, you need something more supportive, such as a good athletic shoe."

Source: Lisa J. Curtis, GO Brooklyn [12/23/06]

SC Podiatrist Sees Potential in Copper Oxide-Impregnated Socks

Jeffrey Gabbay hasn't washed his sports socks since 2004. He says he doesn't have to. Gabbay's company, Cupron Inc., says it is the first textile manufacturer to produce fibers "impregnated" with copper oxide, an agent that kills bacteria and odor on contact. The socks, which he says can heal and prevent athlete's foot, are one of his company's best-selling products. While Gabbay points to strong anecdotal evidence, his claims haven't been verified by rigorous scientific tests. For now, medical experts are skeptical.

Undeterred by such criticism, Cupron claims to be the first to bind copper oxide compounds to textile fibers. Gabbay is most excited by independent research that reveals unforeseen medical benefits of copper oxide.

Trial testing, for example, has shown Cupron socks have helped heal diabetic ulcers. Richard C. Zatcoff, a podiatrist in South Carolina who has tested Cupron socks, said they cured 56 patients of athlete's foot and led to better healing of diabetic ulcers than similar silver products. "All I can report are anecdotal studies from my office," he said. "But I think it's a very exciting technology for the future."

Source: Steven Stanek, Associated Press, [12/23/06]

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Query: High Heels and Foot Health

The literature clearly points to high heels producing additional forefoot load and postural stress and 4+ inch heels being not healthy, period. However, my clinical experience disagrees with the podiatry headlines intimating that women shouldn’t wear high-heel shoes .

1. There are foot types (very cavus) whose congenital equinus does well in heels and poorly in flats or low heels.
2. Every person has a foot type-specific “healthy” heel height that once determined should serve as the center of their shoe wardrobe. Heels that are either higher or lower should be interspersed.
3. The rigid rearfoot type, one of the four functional rearfoot types, has a “healthy heel height” of 1-2.5 inches. I encourage heels of that height, as opposed to advising avoiding heels.
4. A higher, wider and, deeper toebox, regardless of heel height, reduces a major participant in foot and compensatory postural deformity, pain syndromes, and pathology.

Here are two shoes, one with a high heel, one pretty flat. Aren’t both of these shoes unhealthy because of the inadequate toe box?

Here is a high-heeled shoe with a generous toebox. Can you imagine that for a woman who is going to wear high heels, this is a healthier choice?

Finally, what do you think of this shoe that has a high heel? Is it that unhealthy?

Patients who receive education on functional foot type, shoe selection, heel height, and toebox selection comment that “this advice makes sense, since I am more comfortable in heels than flats and so I never believed my podiatrist when s/he encouraged me not to wear heels.”

Dennis Shavelon, DPM, New York City, DrSha@lifestyelpodiatry.com

RE: Office Assistants Rendering Unsolicited General Medical Advice (Bruce Krell, DPM
From: Sam Bell, DPM

I will let the legal minds advise about your liability for her advice but as someone who has been in practice for 34 years I can tell you simply that patients don't like it and she should not be doing it. I would tell her to stop, not because of a liability issue, but simply because you don't want it being done. As a boss I am probably the biggest marshmallow there is but that is one thing I won't allow.

Sam Bell, DPM, Schenectady, NY, dpmbell@aol.com

RE: 1st MPJ Fusion (Donald Carlson, DPM)
From: Shari Kaminsky, DPM

In my experience amputating the 1st Ray only leads to other imbalances in the foot. At least with resection of the fusion site the EHLt and the FHLt can remain attached and assist the foot with gait. What about an implant? Have you tried a bone stimulator?

Shari Kaminsky, DPM, St Louis, MO, sharikaminsky@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - LOS ANGELES/SOUTH BAY AREA

Multi-office, multi-doctor, well-established practice near the beach cities. Seeking a board eligible/certified PSR-24 or PSR-36 trained foot and ankle surgeon. Well-rounded practice requiring knowledge in biomechanics, pediatrics, sports medicine, diabetic wound care, trauma, and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. Full-time position available immediately with generous compensation and benefits, including malpractice, and health insurance. Two-year commitment required with partnership opportunity. Send CV to akemfoot@sbcglobal.net or fax to (310) 838-0227.

POSITION AVAILABLE - NEW YORK AND/OR NEW JERSEY

Part-time and full-time positions available for any or all of the following office, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and house calls. Please Fax CV to (212)473-8563.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

Central California multi-location 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

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CINCINNATI, OHIO

One of the largest podiatry practices in the United States is again in need of a PSR 24-36 Associate. All present doctors are in their thirties with similar training. Everyone is treated equally and there is definitely no limit to your success. Please submit resume or contact Karen Roesch via email or phone. Kroesch4poh@aol.com (513) 729-4455

Attractive opportunity for enthusiastic, proficient, and personable associate. Well-established modern practice with multiple newer spacious offices, technology and equipment. Solid referral base, close to hospitals, knowledgeable certified staff. 22% MCR. Practice and surgical center partnership potential opportunity. Prefer 24-36+ PSR. Send CV: AZpodassociate@aol.com

POSITION AVAILABLE - SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE/ NORTH GEORGIA

Immediate position available or will wait for the right individual. Unique practice opportunity in growing multi-physician/multi-office practice. Well established/cutting edge within the medical community. Close proximity to hospitals as well as opportunity to become involved with a free standing podiatric surgical center. Must be BQ/BC. Minimum PSR/24. Competitive salary, bonus structure and benefits. E-mail CV to afcjen@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION- MEMPHIS, TN

30 year-old, high volume, multi-office practice in Memphis, looking for 24-36 PSR trained individual. Good opportunity for reconstructive surgery and wound care. No nursing homes or weekends. Potential partnership opportunity. Contact Footdok4@gmail.com.

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