eTalk : Medicaid Cut for Podiatry in AZ

eTalk : Medicaid Cut for Podiatry in AZ

More states are looking to cut Podiatry from their Medicaid programs.  Unfortunately for many people this will end in disaster. 
The long story short on this matter is that education, access to healthcare and early detection are the keys to decreasing the amputation rate in patients with Diabetes!!  Yet, we are still cutting Podiatry from Medicaid programs!!

Diabetes is the leading cause (more than 50%) of nontraumatic lower extremity amputation in the United States. Significant risk factors for amputation are hyperglycemia, a longer duration of diabetes, older age, and the presence of neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, or foot ulcer. Foot ulcers alone precede about 85% of these amputations.11–13 Peripheral neuropathy can occur in both types of diabetes (60% to 70%), but more severe cases are found in patients with type 1 diabetes.10 It was the most common complication found in this study (68%).

The higher percentage of ulcer and amputation observed in our study may be attributed to the lower levels of education, low socioeconomic status, high rates of obesity, and high rates of non-adherence as compared with national levels. According to recently published data, intensive multidisciplinary team management can reduce up to 50% of neuropathic foot ulceration.14 Early detection and proper management of foot ulcer will further reduce the risk of amputation. Recently, the US Department of Health and Human Services called for a 40% overall reduction in lower extremity amputations, including a reduction in the amputation rate for African-Americans from 10.2 per 1,000 to 6.1 per 1,000 by the year 2010 http://www.jarcet.com/articles/Vol2Iss2/Siddhiquispr02.htm

Feet

From the beginning of time, people had issues with their feet.  From Achilles in need of a Podiatrist to save him from his poisionous arrow, people needing foot washing for rituals and patients needing help after foot bindings.  Podiatrists have been needed to care for wounded feet for centuries.  Over the next few weeks I am going to discuss some of the more common foot problems,causes and treatments available!  I will welcome questions to help make sure that we hit all of th foot problems out there.  Thank you.  Patricia Kirk 623-584-5556

Does your heel hurt??

Is the first step out of bed in the morning painful?  Have you tried other treatments and they just don't work?  Have you tried stretching, injections, icing and physicial therapy?  Are you considering surgery?  Then you are the person that we are looking for!! 
We have just started using the Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment. 
So far our patients have all said that they feel a lot better immediately after treatment!! 
Just give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!  623-584-5556
I will be posting more information on this topic shortly!

26

This is the number of bones in the human foot!!  The foot is  a very complex portion of our body. We have 206 bones in the entire body.  This doesn't include all of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, arteries, veins and nerves we have in our feet. 
The APMA has estimated that 75% of the population will experience foot and ankle problems of varying degrees at some point in their life.
The APMA states that for a 150 pound person, walking one mile exerts the equvalent of 63-1/2 tons-127,000 pounds in each foot!!
Due to the complex nature of our feet, they are designed to handle this stress, but certain problems if left untreated can lead to serious foot problems if left undectected and or untreated!
So make your appointment with Surprise Foot and Ankle Clinic 623-584-5556 to take care of those foot problems!!