Podiatric Medical News
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Issue Date: September 16, 2026
Podiatric Medical News
The Voice of Podiatrists Since 1994
A Podiatrist-Run Publication
Reaching 23,000+ Subscribers
September 16, 2026 #8,359
Publisher: Barry Block, DPM, JD
Podiatric Medical News
E-mail us at bblock@podiatricnews.com
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written permission of Barry Block.
Podiatric Medical News is no longer affiliated with Kane Communications, Inc. and Podiatry Management.
PODIATRIC QUICK POLL
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INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
UK Podiatrist Discusses Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia (CLTI)
According to podiatrist Jonathan Brocklehurst, "Millions of people experience sudden muscle cramping at night or know the pain that accompanies aging bones and joints. But fewer people may be familiar with something called rest pain - and while it may sound benign, it could be a symptom of a serious health condition. Rest pain - pain in the foot or toes that occurs even when a person is not walking or putting weight on the foot - is a distinct form of pain and many patients I've treated have come to me reporting symptoms of intense burning pain in the feet."
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| Jonathan Brocklehurst |
"While rest pain can occur on its own or as a result of various foot conditions, it can also be a sign of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), formerly known as critical limb ischemia. CLTI is an advanced stage of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which occurs when plaque accumulates in the arteries and narrows the blood vessels, limiting blood flow to the legs and feet. With CLTI, the extreme buildup of plaque severely reduces blood flow to the legs, feet, or toes. People experiencing rest pain due to CLTI who do not receive prompt treatment may go on to develop non-healing wounds or ulcers, tissue death, and in severe cases, amputation.
Source: Daily Mail [9/14/26]
PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY
SGMC Health Expands with the Addition of GA Podiatrists
SGMC Health is expanding access to specialized foot and ankle care in South Georgia with the addition of SGMC Podiatry, effective September 14. The practice, formerly known as Valdosta Foot & Ankle Clinic, will continue to be led by trusted providers Michael Wallace, DPM, and Devin Daugherty, DPM. Dr. Wallace has served the Valdosta community since 1989, bringing more than three decades of experience in podiatric medicine. He is board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and he completed his surgical residency at Trinity Regional Hospital.
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| (L-R) Dr. Michael Wallace, members of the SGMC Podiatry team, and Dr. Devin Daugherty |
Dr. Daugherty has also been a longtime provider of podiatric care in Valdosta, serving patients since 1998 with extensive experience in both clinical and surgical settings, including ambulatory surgery center development. He completed his surgical residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He is board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
CODING CORNER
FY 2027 ICD-10 Changes That Will Bounce Your Claims on Oct. 1
Put laterality in every osteomyelitis note.
The osteomyelitis category picks up laterality at nearly every limb site. The new M86.8X series carries right, left, and unspecified options for shoulder, upper arm, forearm, hand, thigh, lower leg, and ankle and foot, plus discrete codes for skull, and face and sinuses. It is the single largest block of new musculoskeletal codes in the update.
For practices managing diabetic foot infections, post-surgical bone infections or wound care, this is a documentation change more than a coding change. Coders cannot infer a side from an imaging report or a wound photo, and queries burn days that a patient on IV antibiotics does not have. Build the laterality prompt into the assessment template so the detail arrives with the note instead of being chased after the fact.
Source: Keith A. Reynolds, Physicians Practice
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (IN THE COURTS)
From: Allen M. Jacobs, DPM
The concerns surrounding the Stivix device are not isolated or unprecedented. An increasing number of manufacturers promote specific CPT codes and ICD-10 codes in ways that primarily support the utilization or marketability of their products. In this context, the recent legal actions reported in Podiatric Medical News should not be unexpected. They underscore a critical principle: when a provider relies on coding guidance supplied by a vendor—and that guidance may be incorrect, regardless of intent—the provider ultimately bears responsibility for the resulting claim. Caveat emptor.
Allen M. Jacobs, DPM, St. Louis, MO
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RESPONSES/COMMENTS (RELEVANT RESEARCH)
RE: 10-kHz SCS May Do More Than Relieve Pain in Diabetic Neuropathy
From: David Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD
A newly published multicenter randomized controlled trial in Diabetes Care found that high-frequency 10-kHz spinal cord stimulation (SCS) produced not only substantial pain relief in people with refractory painful diabetic neuropathy, but also objective improvement in sensory function and intra-epidermal nerve-fiber density.
In the conservative modified intention-to-treat analysis, 79.4% of participants receiving 10-kHz SCS achieved at least 50% lower-limb pain relief versus 4.0% with conventional medical management. At 6 months, 55.2% of treated participants demonstrated sensory improvement on the modified Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score versus 25.0% of controls. Skin biopsies also showed a mean 56% increase in lower-calf intra-epidermal nerve-fiber density in the SCS group, with a significant between-group difference.
For years, I’ve used the metaphor that SCS may work a little like “noise-cancelling headphones” — filtering out painful background noise so normal sensation can be heard again. These new biopsy data make the story even more interesting; perhaps we are not only changing the signal-to-noise ratio, but also influencing the underlying wiring. The authors appropriately describe the findings as consistent with a potential disease-modifying effect that requires longer-term confirmation.
David Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD, Los Angeles, CA
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (CLINICAL)
From: Allen M. Jacobs, DPM
Dr. Smith correctly expresses his concern regarding the potential side-effects of GLP-1 RA drugs. The benefits noted are not that of simple weight loss. The benefits include reduced amputation rates with diabetic ulceration, reduced mortality following amputation, improved wound healing, improved signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. I presume Dr. Smith never prescribes any NSAID medications, as they can be associated with acute renal disease, gastric ulceration, bleeding requiring hospitalization, and acute and chronic cardiovascular disease. I also presume Dr. Smith does not prescribe opioid analgesics as they may be associated with respiratory depression and arrest; or tetracyclines or fluoroquinolone antibiotics over concerns for Q-T interval prolongation of fatal cardiac arrhythmia.
Anyone considering the use of a GLP-1 RA medication should appropriately screen the patient for potential increased risk factors such as diabetic retinopathy. As with any medication, familiarity with the medication is important. My communication was not intended to encourage podiatric physicians to prescribe, dispense, or otherwise utilize any GLP-1 RA medication. My communication was to alert those unfamiliar with these medications of research which has been published.
All medications have potential side-effects and sequelae, some of them serious. I consider that each time I prescribe terbinafine, itraconazole, pregabalin, baclofen, colchicine, or any medication. Benjamin Franklin famously noted, "the best doctors give the least medicines". Sir William Osler stated, "The patient who gets sick must recover twice.... once from the illness, and once from the medication". I agree with Dr. Smith that the decision to utilize any medication is considered in a risk-reward scenario. No medication is immune from potential adverse side-effects. Oh, and do not prescribe any topical antibiotic with Neosporin as it is a leading cause of primary irritant dermatitis/contact dermatitis. And never prescribe an NSAID as they are associated with multiple reported mortalities every year.
The practice of medicine is an art and science of probabilities. It is a world of more likely than not, and is not a world of absolute unalterable fact. Some patients will suffer an adverse reaction to a medication. Safety in statistical protection is not absolute protection. Even an aspirin may cause serious harm.
Allen M. Jacobs, DPM, St. Louis, MO
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (REMEMBERING 9/11)
From: Kelly J. John, DPM
Thank you once again for sharing your 9/12/2001 post with the podiatric community. Also, thank you to Dr. Ben Pearl for the video of St. Paul’s Chapel at the 25th anniversary of the attack on NYC. I, too, worked shifts at St. Paul’s Ground Zero (a term that is unfamiliar to today’s youth). I was a resident at VA CT/Yale. On the day of the attacks, I was on my general surgery rotation at the VA. I witnessed the reactions of hospitalized veterans - many offering to give up their bed should space be needed for incoming wounded.
My October rotation was the Emergency Department at St. Raphael’s. I received the email requesting volunteer podiatrists from a fellow resident. I asked my ED attending for permission to go. He responded “Permission granted. You will gain more by this volunteer shift than I can offer in the ER.” He was correct. As others have said, "it was one of my most meaningful career experiences."
Since I was a resident at the time, I was paired with practicing podiatrists, Dr. Andrew Levy and his colleague from Florida. We worked together in George Washington’s dedicated pew providing foot care to the many workers at the site. Years later, I ran into Dr. Levy at a conference. With few words, we recognized our shared experience as the memory of the situation came back, as it does annually for many people. It has been 25 years but thank you to those who organized this effort. Our profession stepped up!
Kelly J. John, DPM, Des Moines, IA
YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP
RE: Outrageous Shoe of the Day
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| What to wear while whale watching? |
Source: Kobi Levi via Virtual Shoe Museum
MEETINGS & WEBINARS
CLASSIFIED ADS - PRACTICES FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
Podiatric Medical News CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 23,000 DPMs AND STUDENTS
Whether you have used equipment to sell or are offering an associate position, Podiatric Medical News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 23,000 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@podiatricnews.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details.
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - X-RAY EQUIPMENT
USED/LIKE NEW High frequency X-RAY unit with full Rayence software integration & Digital X-RAY XMARU1012 WCA Wireless flat panel portable detector and 3 lithium ion batteries, located in NJ - EMAIL DOCTORBHALJA@GMAIL.COM for details, pics and discounted pricing.
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - SWIFTPRO CORDLESS WART REMOVAL SYSTEM
SwiftPro cordless wart removal system. Like new, used approximately 20 times. Includes charging dock, seven brand-new treatment tips, and soft carrying case for convenient storage and transport. Professional-quality equipment, well maintained and ready for use. Asking $12,000. For additional information, contact Jennifer at jennifer@gpfootandankle.com today.
PRACTICE FOR SALE - WATKINSVILLE, GA
Thirty year established podiatry practice with solid revenue and referral base, loyal patients, and seamless transition. Seller will continue to practice to ease transition. Located in a vibrant medical market near desirable Watkinsville, offering excellent quality of life. Contact: MCrosby518@gmail.com
PRACTICE WANTED - LOS ANGELES, CA
Established cash-buyer podiatrist seeking a profitable podiatry office or group practice to purchase with strong patient volume with opportunity for continued growth. Flexible transaction and structure. Practice owners considering retirement, transition, or sale, please contact: podiatry001@gmail.com
OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT OR SALE - REDBANK AND FREEHOLD, NJ
Established podiatry practice. Redbank:2150 sq/ft, 6 treatment rooms, billing office, lab/kitchen, waiting room, receptionist room, 2 doctor’s offices (3 minutes from Riverview Hospital). Freehold:1350sq/ft, 4 treatment rooms, waiting room, reception room/kitchen and doctors’ office, (5 minutes from Centerstate Hospital). Contact.: docfoot77@gmail.com
CLASSIFIED ADS - ASSOCIATE AND FACULTY POSITIONS, AND FELLOWSHIPS
PODIATRIC MEDICAL NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 23,000 DPMs AND STUDENTS
Whether you have used equipment to sell or are offering an associate position, Podiatric Medical News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 23,000 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@podiatricnews.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details.
FULL-TIME CHAIR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PODIATRIC MEDICINE & SURGERY
The Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is seeking a Full-Time Chair for the Department of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery. The Chair will lead faculty, drive academic excellence, and oversee clinical experiences in a collaborative environment. Generous benefits! ($120K-$140K). jacquelyn.ortiz@rosalindfranklin.edu
LEVEL UP YOUR PODIATRY CAREER IN NYC!
Join Footcare Now! From dermatology to reconstructive surgery, our platform drives your growth with full-time, part-time, or flexible roles. Learn while you earn in the heart of New York—relocation assistance provided! Apply now: Send your CV to scdpmjobs@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION PART-TIME - NORTHERN VIRGINIA
IMMEDIATE opening for part-time position. All aspects of Podiatry. Send resume to: krpsgold@cox.net
ASSOCIATE POSITION- HUDSON VALLEY NY
Thriving for over 50 years, Family Footcare Group LLP seeks a full-time Podiatrist for its Hudson Valley, NY locations. Role covers lower extremity care, wound treatment, and surgeries. Requires DPM, accredited residency, and board eligible. Offers partnership track, competitive pay, health insurance, CME, relocation, and PTO. Send CV to gatlas@footcaregroup.com
ASSOCIATE PODIATRIST - IL, WI, LA & IN
Immediate opportunity for a qualified podiatrist to join our growing team, providing routine and referral podiatric care in Skilled Nursing Facilities. Competitive percentage-based compensation with $100,000-$150,000+ annual earning potential, based on caseload and productivity. Excellent opportunity to grow patient volume and income. Compensation details discussed during interview. info@ilfootclinic.com
POSITION AVAILABLE - PENNSYLVANIA, MISSOURI, ALABAMA
Podiatry-only ancillary care company, Podiatrist owned and operated, looking for ethical and responsible podiatrists to service Long Term Care facilities in PA, MO and AL. Flexible schedules. Generous pay structure. Inquire about other regions as well. Send CV and inquiries to info@thepodiatrycompanyllc.com
ASSOCIATE PODIATRIST OPPORTUNITIES - CT, DE, FL, IL, MD, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TX, VA, WA & WV
US Foot & Ankle Specialists (USFAS), the nation's largest podiatric group, is hiring! We have current and upcoming opportunities for doctors ready to join now, as well as positions planned for 2027. Join a growing team committed to advanced technology, exceptional patient care, professional development, and long-term career growth. Must be licensed or in the process of obtaining licensure. To learn more, email your cover letter and resume to: recruiting@us-fas.com
MOBILE PODIATRY POSITIONS - AL, AZ, GA, IA, KS, MO, NE, OK, SC & TN
Build a rewarding podiatry career at any stage with Aria Care Partners. Join our team as a Mobile Podiatrist serving residents in skilled nursing facilities. Focus on clinical care while we provide administrative support. Daily base rate plus competitive compensation. Grow with greater purpose, autonomy, flexibility, and professional support while making a meaningful impact for an often-underserved population. New graduates and experienced Podiatrists are welcome. Send your resume to: kcampbell@aria.care
FULL-TIME ASSOCIATE PODIATRIST OPPORTUNITY - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Loma Linda Foot and Ankle Center is a busy, well-established, physician-owned podiatry practice seeking a full-time Associate Podiatrist to join our growing team. We are looking for a motivated, compassionate, and ethical physician with excellent clinical and surgical skills who is committed to providing outstanding patient care. Qualifications: *DPM degree from an accredited institution *Completion of a minimum 24-month surgical residency *Board Qualified or Board Certified (preferred) *Strong work ethic and excellent communication skills *California license (or eligible for licensure) Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their CV to: llfootankle@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - EUGENE, OREGON
Tracktown USA! Seeking full-time rearfoot associate to join our team, ABFAS BQ/BC. Both strong clinical and surgical skills are required. 1-2 years out of residency preferred. Compensation with base and bonus structure. Benefits: insurance, paid vacation/holidays, paid CME, malpractice. Buy-in possible/suggested. Enjoy: skiing, world class road, gravel and mountain biking, fly fishing, sailing, surfing, the Oregon Coast, University of Oregon Ducks, minor league baseball, great live music, Eugene Ballet, Eugene Symphony. CV to dustydock@gmail.com
FOOT & ANKLE SURGEON - MANHATTAN, NY
Join Gotham Footcare, a thriving Manhattan practice offering competitive compensation, health benefits, and a $10,000 relocation bonus. Board-Eligible or Board-Certified candidates are required; strong surgical skills are preferred. Email your CV to ana@gothamfootcare.com
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