The Voice of Podiatrists

October 09, 2006 #2,709 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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NV Podiatrist Returns to Practice After Near-Fatal Accident

Dr. Shane Draper carefully lists the injuries he sustained Jan. 21 in a motocross accident. “Three broken ribs, a collapsed lung, three broken vertebrae and a spinal cord injury,” he said at his office, where he’s back practicing full-time nearly nine months after his ordeal began.

Dr. Shane Draper

He started working again part-time in June, marking what has been no less than a remarkable recovery — though there are still mountains to climb in both the figurative and literal sense. Draper, a podiatrist in practice with Dr. John Patton at Northern Nevada Foot & Ankle, came close to death that day, frightfully so, spent weeks in a wheelchair and had to learn how to walk again at the age of 39.

The relationship Draper shares with his patients also is more profound, more human and sensitive. “Sometimes it’s good for the doctor to be the patient. Makes you appreciate life and what your patients really go through.”

Source: Doug McMurdo, Elko Daily Free Press (NV) [10/7/06]

$2M Verdict For PA Man has Corn Removed, Loses Legs

A jury has awarded more than $2 million to a man who had a corn removed from his toe and ultimately lost both legs after a series of infections. Donald Davis Sr., 59, of North Wales, Montgomery County, sued Pottstown podiatrist Therese M. Rinaldi, who removed the corn. Davis, who had circulation problems, developed an infection, gangrene and then a staph infection after the corn was removed. He was later treated for sores on both legs. Doctors ultimately decided to amputate his right leg above the knee and his left leg below the knee.

The Berks County jury set Davis' damages at $3.4 million, but found he was 40 percent responsible, lowering the award to almost $2.07 million. Davis did not tell Rinaldi about his circulation problems when he first visited her office, according to court records. Davis alleged that Rinaldi did not review his medical records before removing the corn from his small toe on Sept. 27, 2000, at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

Davis, who was also treated at St. Joseph Medical Center, also sued surgeons and both hospitals, but they were dismissed as defendants before the two-week trial. Rinaldi's attorney said he plans to appeal.

Source: Associated Press [10/7/06]

Levy Gets 1.3 M Grant For Bioterrorism All-Hazards Preparedness Program

Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH, Associate Dean for Education, Planning and Research and Director of the Center on Bioterrorism All-Hazards Preparedness at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-COM) in Fort Lauderdale has been awarded a grant for $1.3 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

The grant given to only four other medical schools in the U.S. makes the NSU-COM program national in scope supporting it in the development of templates for bioterrorism/all-hazards preparedness. Podiatric physicians are eligible to take these programs so that they will be better able to participate in events due to terrorism, natural disasters, and pandemics.

There is no cost as a result of the federal grant support and 4 continuing medical education credits are available. Access to the course is currently completely on-line through www.nova.edu/allhazards For further information contact Dr. Levy at levyleon@nsu.nova.edu or (954) 262-1469.

Query: Yellow Soles in Patients with a History of Diabetes

Yellow Vs. Normal Palm

In the October 5, 2006 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine there was a case history of a of diabetic patient who presented with a 1-month history yellow palms and soles. After treatment with oral hypoglyemics, the yellow color diminished. The author says that yellow is more common in carotenemia, hypothyroidism, liver disease and renal disease, but is a rare finding with diabetics. Has anyone found other patients with diabetes who have presented with yellow soles?

Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

RE: 4 YO with Limb Length Discrepancy (Brian Homer, DPM)
From: Edwin J. Harris, DPM

This difference in a four year old is functionally significant, and partial lift therapy should be attempted. However, there are two equally important issues. First, why the difference? Radiographs of both limbs from proximal femur to distal tibia should be reviewed for structural abnoprmality and physis function. Second, what will be the difference at skeletal maturity; is this difference progressive? Limb-length radiographs and wrist films for skeletal age need to be obtained - starting now - so that data can be entered into a graph based on the Green-Anderson data. A progressing difference in limb length may need to be addressed surgically (either by epiphyseodesis or lengthening, depending on circumstances).

Edwin J. Harris, DPM, Westchester, IL, Eharrisdpm@AOL.com

RE: Podiatry Eats its Own Young (Richard W. Boone, Sr)
From: Simon Young, DPM

Not only do podiatrists cannibalize their own Young but they cannibalize each other. Hospital administrators and other members of this community respond to this behavior and watch while we annihilate each other essentially laugh. We are such fools. My experiences have been that this is a relatively rare occurrence in medicine but widespread in podiatry. We have no camaraderie we have no loyalty to each other and this will definitely impact our future. Whenever we destroy one of our own, we destroy all of us.

Simon Young, DPM, NY, NY, Simonyoung96@yahoo.com

RE: Sterilizing Non-Surgical Instruments (Howard Bonenberger, DPM)
From: Robert Spalding, DPM

I would urge you to only use steam autoclave or gluteraldehyde. These are the only two methods that can kill spores. It takes just as long to kill spores with liquid gluteraldehye as it does to properly steam autoclave. Otherwise, you are contributing to the same problems nail technicians and pedicurists have across the country.

Ask yourself where all bacteria lie prior to being injected into the skin during debridement that leads to injury. These bacteria lie on the (dead) skin layer that so many nail technicians and state cosmetology boards use as justification for using razor callus cutting blades that injure hundreds of people every week in nail salons across the country. This is documented. If you were to be sued, you would have no recourse in a court of law in my opinion.

Iatrogenic injuries can always occur at some time and you can innoculate broken skin with every pass of a dirty blade. Remember, Clostridium perfenges (gangrene), Clostridium tetani (tetanus) are just some of the potential spore forming bacteria in question even if a complete puncture wound is not created. Fungi is spread every day in nail salons with poor disinfection.

Robert Spalding, DPM, Chattanooga, TN, rts9999999@aol.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE – FLORIDA

Miami-Dade and SW Ft. Lauderdale, well established surgical practice for sale. This one has everything. Surgery, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Trauma, ER, General Podiatry. Participates in all local and national managed care plans. $850,000 but will discount depending on amount up front. Mature, serious inquires with business experience preferred. email response to podfootdocs@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION-INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR – FLORIDA

High Income position for ethical hard working podiatrist, great for semi-retired or to supplement office practice, part time. Must have Florida license and active Medicare/Medicaid numbers. FAX CV or Resume to 727-785-4697

WELL ESTABLISHED PODIATRY PRACTICE IN MT. AIRY, NC

Dr. John H. Hodges had a well established podiatry practice in Mt. Airy, North Carolina that is either for sale or in need of an associate/partner to come on board to take over patient care. Dr. Hodges unexpectedly passed away in January 2006, leaving approximately 3,500 patients without a podiatrist to care for them. This is a unique opportunity to be able to begin work in an extremely busy podiatric practice. If interested, contact Carolyn McMackin at (336)577-2886 or cmcmackin@triad.rr.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW ENGLAND

Terrific Opportunity Now Available in growing New England practice. Well established and respected practice with new, large office space, latest technology, very helpful staff, loyal patients and solid referral base. Close proximity to hospitals with modern surgical suites. Opportunity for shared ownership. Prefer 24 month PSR with clinical practice experience or an experienced doctor looking to improve their situation. E-mail CV and particulars to NEAFC3@aol.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Merging practice and I have an office full of equipment for sale. No reasonable offer refused. Great for new practitioner or second office.Two older PDM treatment chairs. One surgical table, also great for orthotic casting. Variety of hand surgical tools, waiting room chairs, cast cutter, etc. Call and ask! Need to clear out office by Nov 1, so I'm motivated...Paul Busman DPM Troy, NY 518-272-6881, 518-229-6668 Cell.

NURSING HOME ASSOCIATE NEEDED- PHILA AREA

Extremely high volume nursing home and home care practice. Well-established and respected Suburban Philadelphia practice seeking an associate who is hardworking. Full-time or part-time available. Very busy practice which can be worked every day and be very lucrative for a hard-working individual. No nursing home further than ½ hour away from office. Email CV and contact info to: mrgpod@hotmail.com or fax CV to 610-668-5175

PRACTICE FOR SALE/ASSOCIATE/PARTNERSHIP - WASHINGTON, DC

Established busy practice for sale in hospital's medical building. Fully equipped. All aspects of podiatric medicine/surgery. Large diabetic practice with wound care clinic. Large referral base. Hospital to be renovated and expanded. Charcot, forefoot, rearfoot, orthopedics. Residency required for privileges. Moving - will stay for transition. Associateship until purchase. Unbelievable potential to expand. Will finance sale with adequate down-payment. Serious inquires only. Contact scottr0666@yahoo.com

IMMEDIATE ASSOCIATE NEEDED - PHILLY SUBURBS

High volume office-based practice suburban Philadelphia. Very diverse, all ages seen. Sports medicine, trauma, forefoot and rearfoot surgery. Full-time office, near hospitals for surgery, consults, and in-house pt. care. Candidate must be hard-working dedicated to pt. care and well-trained. Needs to be personable. PSR12/24/36 Board Certified/Eligible required for a fast-paced, fun atmosphere to work. Email CV and contact info to: mrgpod@hotmail.com or fax CV to 610-668-5175

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