The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

March 22, 2012 #4,416 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2012- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.

OH Podiatrist Named President-elect of ACFAS

An Akron podiatrist is stepping into a leadership role with a national surgical society. Dr. Jordan P. Grossman recently was named president-elect of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Grossman, 44, is a foot and ankle surgeon with Northeast Ohio Orthopaedic Associates in Akron. He is board-certified in foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons has about 6,500 members nationwide.

Dr. Jordan P. Grossman (Photo: Ed Suba, Jr.)

Grossman followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and uncle to pursue a career in podiatry. His brother also is a podiatrist. He earned his podiatric medical degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland. He completed a podiatric surgical residency at the Podiatry Hospital of Pittsburgh and fellowships at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh and the University of Ulm in Germany.

Source: Cheryl Powell, Akron Beacon Journal [3/19/12]

GTEF Residents Run The World's Largest Running Series

Several residents from the Greater Texas Education Foundation residency programs (West Houston Medical Center; Director: Sam Mendicino, DPM and Kingwood Medical Center; Director: Vito Speciale, DPM) competed in The World's Largest Running Series: The Warrior Dash in Splendora, TX on Saturday March 17th. The Warrior Dash is an extreme 5K running race with obstacles, including jumping over fire and crawling through mud with barbed wire hung overhead. Several of their attendings, hospital staff, and friends joined in!  

Sara Suttle, DPM PGY-3, Jared Shipp, DPM PGY-3, Jeanna Mascorro, DPM PGY-3, and Bailey Griffin, DPM PGY-1 all from Kingwood Medical Center; Tracy Robillard, DPM PGY-2 from West Houston Medical Center.

They ran for the charity BecauseOfYou.org, an Anti-Human-Trafficking Organization whose mission includes providing the victims of Sex Trafficking with a safe place to heal. Several of the participants donated their running shoes after the race as well. Warrior Dash has a national partnership with Green Sneakers, a program under the non-profit organization, Crown Ministry Group. The collected sneakers are distributed through reputable relief agencies.

AZ Podiatrist is the First Physician Appointed to UA's SISTA

David G. Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD, last week became the first physician appointed to the University of Arizona's School of Information Science, Technology and Arts (SISTA). SISTA was set up to provide a community for interdisciplinary work based in computation. Dr. Armstrong's group, for example, works on computational models of walking to help patients regain balance and walking skills.

Dr. David Armstrong

"Basic research in computation is driven by important, applied problems," says SISTA's founding Director, Professor Paul Cohen, "That's why we are so fortunate to be joined by Dr. Armstrong, who is both a medical pioneer in the important areas of limb salvage and regenerative medicine and an astute computational thinker."

FL Podiatrist is Co-Developer of Energy Drink

A new super food drink called Drink Chia was developed right here in Central Florida. It is the first drink of its kind. It delivers flavor and health benefits without the extra sugar. Chandra Davis was training for a marathon and was having trouble finding a beverage that would not only improve her staminia, but also help her recover quickly.

Dr. Gideon Lewis

Davis discovered that the ancient Aztecs called chia seeds the "running seed." The tiny seeds are packed full of omega-3 fatty acids and can absorb up to 27 times their weight when soaked in water. That benefit will help keep you hydrated longer. Davis developed a drink using the seeds with the help of her brother Dr. Gideon J. Lewis. Lewis says there is no other product on the market that offers as much omega-3, with only 4 grams of sugar.

Julie Broughton, WKMG [3/18/12}

Query: CROW Walker vs. Patellar Tendon Brace

Can someone comment on the effectiveness/differences/preferences for a CROW walker vs. patellar tendon brace for Charcot foot? I have read that the patellar tendon brace can help off-load plantar pressures by 90%, vs. 50% for the CROW walker. If this is accurate, it seems that the patellar tendon brace would be more advantageous to use.
 
Jeffrey Kass, DPM Forest Hills, NY jeffckass@aol.com

RE: Medicare Guidelines for AFO Use (Josh White , DPM)
From:  Doug Richie, DPM

I am in full agreement with Josh White who correctly reminds us, "The Medicare Benefit Policy Manual states that appliances are covered when "used for the purpose of supporting a weak or deformed body member or restricting or eliminating motion in a diseased or injured part of the body."

However, there is no stipulation for coverage of an AFO device for a Medicare patient to prevent an event, i.e. a catastrophic fall in an elderly patient. The APMA Bulletin was correct in clarifying the difference between treating a specific musculoskeletal condition compared to implementing AFO devices for a preventive measure which has no scientific validation. Yes, there is no valid evidence that any AFO device has specifically and successfully treated any risk factor listed (in Josh's post) where the final result has led to a substantial reduced risk of falls in this patient population. I believe that the APMA is correct in warning members about CMS' position on the medical necessity and Medicare coverage of AFO utilization for the primary purpose of falls prevention in the elderly population.

Doug Richie, DPM, Seal Beach, CA, DRichieJr@aol.com

RE: Taking X-Rays on Patients with Ingrown Nails
From: Ivar E. Roth DPM, MPH

I have reviewed cases just like this. Here’s how these unscrupulous doctors justify taking x-rays for ingrown nails. They claim that when they push down on the nail and there was pain, they had had to rule out a subungual spur. Clever? I call it a rip-off, but this is done all the time by some of our esteemed brethren.
 
Ivar E. Roth DPM, MPH, Newport Beach, CA, ifabs@earthlink.net

RE: Appoint an Inspectress
From: Hal Ornstein, DPM

Recently, I was on a hotel elevator and started chatting with a member of the hotel staff and noticed that below her name on her nametag was "Inspectress". Being curious as to her function, I asked her role, and she indicated that her primary job was to walk throughout all parts of the hotel and look for the little things most miss that a guest will construe as dirty or messy.

It clicked that this would be a great position to have in our practice and thought about our top back office person for the job. The first day back in the office, I spoke with her and offered her $40 per month (basically $10 per week) to become the “Inspectress” for our practice. She was asked to give me a list of all areas (inside and outside the office) that she will inspect regularly.

For areas needing attention, she would immediately...

Editor's note: Dr. Ornstein's extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: ICD-10 Preparation (Joseph S. Borreggine, DPM)
From: Marc Garfield, DPM

If you think ICD-10 is more accurate, look up ICD-10 for plantar fasciitis, M72.2. Note that it is still the same code as plantar fibromatosis. M72.2. No laterality is used for plantar fasciitis, but you will need laterality for bunions and hammertoes. Both fingers and toes share the same L60.0 code in ICD-10. Do you still think that the “accuracy” will make your claims process more effectively?

We are the last county to convert to ICD-10. Most did so 10 years ago. There are no crosswalks planned. There have never been crosswalks. Only 26% of claims could be crosswalked, if there was a crosswalk. Does anyone out there think that $80,000 per 1-3 doc practice could be put to better use than a new diagnosis classification system.

By the way ICD 11 is scheduled to be released in 2015. At the very least, we should encourage our associations to support the AMA in killing or postponing the ICD-10 implementation.
 
Marc Garfield, DPM, Williamsburg, VA, mgarfield1@cox.net

RE: ABPS Name Change (M. W. Aiken, DPM)
From: Brian Gale, DPM

I support the change in name of ABPS to ABFAS. I think this will be helpful for our surgical specialty and identity. My practice has experienced some noteworthy situations here in North Dakota regarding professional recognition for foot and ankle surgery by a doctor of podiatric medicine. There has been difficult interference by local orthopedists that has been practically impossible to overcome. Proper recognition of who we are and what we do by the name change seems logical and important.

The hospital does not really recognize us as...

Editor's note: Dr. Gale's extended-length letter can be read here.

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS - MULTIPLE STATES

Podiatrist Needed in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, Texas, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Indiana, Oklahoma, Connecticut and Vermont. Expanding multi-state medical practice seeking podiatrists to service long-term care community residing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. We offer an established patient base, scheduling, equipment allowance and cover travel expenses. Provide generous compensation, bonus opportunities, disability, health insurance benefits, malpractice coverage and flexible scheduling. Looking for a Podiatrist with excellent skills, able to provide expert and compassionate care to patients. Email CV to: careers@aggeus.org or call 773-770-0140 x300/x305.www.aggeus.org

PRACTICE FOR SALE - BROOKLYN, NY

A large, busy practice is for sale in Brooklyn, NY. This practice has been in the same location for over 50 years. Average 150 pts/week, average gross 730K, most surgery is currently being referred out. Financing available. Please call 800-983-4194, or email contactus@podiatrypracticeconsultants.com

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 13,500 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 13,500 DPM's. Write to bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $115 for a 50-word ad. THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.

• 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.