The National

Since Orlando is only a couple hours away, I was excited to see that the National Scientific Seminar of the American Podiatric Medical Association was to be held in Orlando this year.  I decided that I would attend my first national conference and just returned home to Spring Hill.  Podiatrists from all over the country came to Orlando this past weekend.  I must say I was very impressed with the conference.  I have, of course, attended many conferences more regional in the past, but this one was so much bigger.

In addition to well respected speakers, the exhibit hall was great.  I have again found products and services to make the practice and care I provide to my patients even better.  I am eager to get to the office Monday morning and get to work!

A Very Exciting Annoucement

Many of you may be aware that in December of 2014 I began transitioning from being an employed podiatrist at Absolute Healthcare to becoming a solo practitioner.  Late last year, Donald J. Adamov, DPM, PA was formed.  I decided that after close to 10 years in private practice, it was time to "give it a try" on my own.  I figured that I would be able to care for patients the best way I know how and could make my own decisions when it comes to the services I offer my patients.

This is why, I am so excited to announce, that effective Monday, May 4th, I will begin practicing at my new location:

1250 Mariner Blvd.
Spring Hill, Florida 34609
352-606-3950

The new office is just over 2 miles south of the old location at 3376 Mariner Blvd.  It is just south of the YMCA on the same side of the road.  Our office is in the plaza directly behind Susie's Grill.  We have purchased brand new comfortable treatment chairs as well as a state-of-the-art digital x-ray machine.  This machine will allow us to diagnose fractures and other bone problems during your visit.  We are also looking into offering more items to help treat our patients such as arch supports and other medical equipment.

The new office is in addition to adding an additional morning to see patients at the Spring Hill wound care center.  Now in addition to Thursday afternoon, I will be seeing patients Wednesday morning as well.  If you have a wound you can always see us at the Mariner office, and if appropriate, I can then follow-up with you at the wound center.

I look forward to seeing you at the new location!

 

Pascal Dupuis

Most of the people that read my blog know I love to watch ice hockey, and also know that I especially like the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Today, the Penguins announced that winger Pascal Dupuis has a a "blot clot in his lung."  This is more specifically a pulmonary embolism.   A few months ago, I blogged about how American Idol contestant, Michael Johns, lost his life due to a pulmonary embolism.

The Penguins say that Pascal had chest pain and was evaluated and the embolism was found.  He apparently had a blood clot in his leg (DVT = deep vein thrombosis) that traveled to his lungs.  A DVT in the leg is, in and of itself, not the problem.  However, it can cause very painful leg swelling and inflammation.  The problem is if that blood clot breaks away and travels to the lungs it can be deadly.  Most people would go to the ER if they had trouble breathing, but people need to take sudden painful swelling in the leg just as seriously.  Immobilization after injury, as well as being seated for long periods of time (eg, a long airplane trip), can be a couple of the common causes.

Pascal will be unable to play hockey for at least 6 months as he will need to be on anti-coagulants, or blood thinners, for at least that time to prevent further clots.  As most of you know, hockey is a contact sport and blunt trauma and blood thinners are not a good combination.

The Penguins say that Pascal should be able to return to hockey.  Unfortunately, however, this is his second blood clot.  One has to wonder if he would want to risk coming off anti-coagulation as he is obviously prone to developing thrombi in this body.  I guess time will tell, but either way, he will have to closely watch for developing symptoms for the rest of his life.

Let's Play Hockey!

For a hockey fan like myself it is the greatest time of the year.  (OK, so maybe second greatest if your team makes the playoffs).  The season officially begins tonight and tomorrow my favorite team, the Penguins, and the local team, the Lightning, begin the season.  Because of this occasion, I feel it is appropriate to post my previous hockey blogs.

http://donaldjadamovdpm.blogspot.com/2013/06/alex-ovechkins-broken-foot.html

http://donaldjadamovdpm.blogspot.com/2013/03/kris-letangs-broken-toe.html

http://donaldjadamovdpm.blogspot.com/2013/02/erik-karlssons-achilles-laceration.html

http://donaldjadamovdpm.blogspot.com/2013/01/ice-hockey-is-back.html

http://donaldjadamovdpm.blogspot.com/2011/11/ice-hockey-and-foot-injuries.html

Tom Hanks Makes an Announcement

Earlier this week, on late night TV, Tom Hanks announced that he has been diagnosed with diabetes.  He talked about lifestyle changes he needed to make and also a little about how the disease effects the body.  I have had a few patients over the years that presented with foot problems that lead me to suspect that he or she could be a diabetic.  The patient usually knew something wasn't quite right but was completely unaware that this disease was present.

One of the earliest signs of diabetes in terms of the foot would be numbness or tingling.  Diabetes is a disease of high blood sugar and this high blood sugar can cause several problems with the body.  Diabetic neuropathy is caused when nerve fibers are damaged by the high blood sugar.  This can be uncomfortable as a bothersome numbness in the feet but also can lead to pain.  Besides the discomfort, this loss of feeling can but a patient at risk for injury.  For example, a stone in the shoe can cause a sore.  A person without diabetic neuropathy would remove his or her shoe and remove the stone, but a diabetic patient may not even know that there is a stone in his or her shoe.  Left in the shoe the stone can lead to a sore or ulceration.

If you think you have diabetes you should see a physician for testing.  Symptoms are not just tingling in the feet but also weight loss, increased thirst, and increased urination.

A Stress Fracture from Golf?

Yes, it is true.  The best swimmer in the world injured his foot, not by kicking a pool deck, but from golfing.  I read the article and found that it wasn't actually from golf itself but from walking the golf course.  Apparently, Phelps walked something like 20 miles over the course of the tournament.  This lead to the injury, a stress fracture of his foot.

There is a lesson in this for all of us.  A stress fracture can occur over time.  It does not have to be a single instance.  In fact, in my experience, Phelps is a perfect example of what can lead to a stress fracture.  It is usually when we walk too much or wear a new or ill-fitting pair of shoes and are too active that leads to stress on the bone.

A stress fracture can lead to a swollen foot that is very painful to walk on.  It does not always even show up on x-ray but left unchecked can lead to a complete break in the bone (usually a metatarsal).  This can be much more difficult to treat and may even require surgery to repair.  Therefore, it is important to see your podiatrist right away with any foot pain.

Something to Celebrate

As a podiatrist, I read with interest a recent study that shows a drastic increase in lower extremity diabetic amputations.  The study was published in this month's Foot and Ankle International.  The study pointed out when looking at Medicare claims from 2000-2010, lower extremity amputations decreased 28.8%.  I am wondering if this is related to the 143.3% increase in the treatment of foot ulcers in the same time period.  Also interesting is that amputations at the upper and lower leg level are down 47% while partial toe amputations increased 24%.  (Sometimes a toe amputation is needed to be done by a physician like myself to prevent the infection from getting worse).  To me this means podiatrists are saving feet and legs.

This is a big deal on many levels.  First, it saves money.  Lower extremity amputations cost our health care system a lot of money.  Second, it improves patients quality of life.  Obviously, having a limb amputation is a big deal and can lead to other problems.  Earlier studies have found that a lower extremity amputation has a mortality rate of 50% within 5 years.  So one can argue that saving some one's limb, saves some one's life.

I am proud to have a hand in all of this and excited to continue to help bring down the level of amputations in my community.

Arriving in Florida for a different reason

There have been many trips to Florida in the past.  The I-95 Florida Welcome Center was always one that was looked forward to.  It always meant a fun adventure was awaiting me and my family.  Last week, however, the welcome center was "welcoming" one of Florida's newest residents.  I am very excited to become a Floridian and look forward to contributing to my new community both as a citizen and a podiatric physician.