The Perfect Plank

Our challenge is to record the maximum amount of time that you can hold the position of a “perfect plank” as demonstrated by our model Diane Berlet.

For the basic plank you start on your elbow and knees, with the hands locked together. The elbows are under the shoulders. The legs are straightened and the pressure is applied to the balls of the feet with legs shoulder distance apart. Face the floor, keep your back straight and do not stick your bottom in the air. The reported result is the best you achieve in the week. Remember that poor form does not count.

The plank is an excellent exercise to build your core muscles. It will aid your posture, unload pressure from your spine and improve your performance in any sporting activity.

Points will be awarded to everyone who shares their high time for the week and their plank picture on Facebook.  A bonus point will be awarded to the top 10 times for the fitness challenge, and top 5 times in the health challenge. The highest times in each category will receive and additional bonus point (2 total bonus points).

Good luck and happy planking.

We often have patients with incredible success stories after their recovery from surgery.  One of our main goals at OFAC is to get patients back to doing what they love to do whether it is playing outside with their kids/grandchildren, walking their son/daughter down the isle, going to grocery store or even competing in the Olympics. Our team works hard every day to accomplish these goals with our patients.  From time to time, patients share their successes with us and in turn we would love to share them with you.  We are happy to introduce you to some of our amazing patients.

Jeff McNally- Professor & Avid Cyclist

Jeff McNally had a total ankle replacement with Dr. Berlet 3 months ago. He is a fitness fanatic from Ann Arbor, Michigan and he suffered from severe arthritis in his ankle, inhibiting to do what he loved to do, cycle.

After surgery he chronicled his recovery. By 6 weeks he was riding his bike 8 miles every other day, he rode from Chelsea to Ann Arbor at 9 weeks (32 miles), and did 67 miles at week 12. We are happy to report Jeff met his goal of riding a century, 100 miles, this weekend and he feels great.  Jeff ‘s advice for patients is that they need to choose a surgeon that is best for them, in his case; it was Dr. Berlet and his team. He felt very comfortable with them from his initial visit after doing much research on the web. He understood that he may have some decreased motion compared to the ankle that was never injured, but he has learned to adjust his activities and does not consider it a limitation.

According to Dr. Berlet, Jeff had severe arthritis of his ankle with an otherwise good foot. He had a lifetime of fitness and was very hesitant to fuse his ankle as this would limit his activities that define him and his quality of life. He traveled to Columbus for a consultation and we discussed the option of ankle replacement as an alternative to ankle fusion. The ankle replacement fit his needs for pain improvement while preserving function and motion of the ankle. I am very pleased with his early recovery and know that he will continue to improve for a year after surgery. Congratulations Jeff – you worked hard and the short-term result is excellent. We are proud of you and look forward to hearing about your other accomplishments.

OFAC LASER THERAPY OPEN HOUSETHURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011, 5:30–7PM

Come join physicians, staff, patients and friends of the Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center for an evening of information and conversation about treating and defeating toenail fungus – FDA approved laser therapy. Highlights will include:

- An educational presentation by OFAC’s Terrence M. Philbin, DO, from 6:15-6:45PM, sharing his insights into advances in the prevention and treatment of toenail fungus.

- Door prizes and giveaways throughout the evening.

- A grand prize drawing for a complete Toenail Fungus Laser Therapy treatment package valued at $700. You’ll receive an additional entry for every guest you bring, too.

- Special savings of $150* on a $700 Toenail Fungus Laser Therapy treatment package when you schedule your treatment package the night of the Open House.

- A free toenail consultation.

RSVP TO LASER@ORTHOFOOTANKLE.COM BY OCTOBER 3RD TO LEARN HOW TOENAIL FUNGUS LASER THERAPY CAN HELP YOU HAVE HAPPY FEET.

WWW.ORTHOFOOTANKLE.COM

Even though the temperature has really dropped, winter sports can be a fun way to enjoy the elements, spend time with family, and stay in shape. It is important to take the proper precautions to prevent serious injuries.

In 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported:

-      139,330 injuries from skiing

-      160,000 injuries from sledding

-      133,550 from ice skating

-      53,200 from ice hockey

-      34,500 from snowmobiling

Tips for preventing injuries

1.Warm up and stretch prior to activity

2.Wear appropriate safety gear (helmet, goggles, and warm gear)

3.Get skilled instruction if you are a novice

4.Don’t drink alcohol with winter sport participation

5.Never participate alone

6.Unfortunately, many injuries happen on the last run of the day. When you are tired and sore, just stop and rest!

7.  Have equipment checked annually to make sure it is fully functional

8.  Avoid hazardous weather conditions

9.  Stay alert and have good common sense.

Be safe and have fun from OFAC.

It’s so nice to see the holiday spirit in person – especially at our FootSourceMD store:

Yesterday, a gentleman shopping in our store overheard a lady say: “I know it’s worth every penny to buy good shoes for your feet, but right now I’m just not able to afford them.”

The gentleman, who was a total stranger said, “Don’t worry about it; I’ll buy your shoes!” The patient was in total disbelief and said, “You don’t have to do that.” The gentleman was insistent and said that he wanted to do it.

He purchased a pair of shoes for himself and a pair of New Balance shoes for her. The patient cried and was so appreciative, she asked for his name so she could thank him – he simply said “Darren” and smiled.

The rehabilitation facility at the Westerville Medical Campus (WMC) was one of the care sites featured in a special section on physical therapy and rehabilitation in the November issue of Columbus CEO.

Gregory C. Berlet, MD and Athletic Trainer, Jeff Bright, were both quoted in the article, which explained the Traq 3D system and other rehabilitation equipment used at WMC. A photo of Rehab Coordinator, Jim Wilgus, demonstrating the Traq 3D system made the special section’s front cover. All of our physicians and staff have a fantastic working relationship with the physical therapists at WMC. We know that the coordination between both teams lead to better patient outcomes and better patient satisfaction.

Click here to read the story.

It was a big Friday night football game for Olentangy Liberty High School. Brian Johnson, a junior, for Liberty went down right in front of Dr. Philbin on the field. Dr. Philbin ran to his attention right away. The athletic director said he had never seen Dr. Philbin run that fast; he even beat the trainers out on the field! Brian had fractured and dislocated his right ankle.

Fortunately, Dr. Philbin and his staff were on top of things. Unfortunately, Brian’s injury was bad enough that he needed to go to the hospital. Dr. Philbin sent Brian via ambulance to Dublin Methodist Hospital where one of our junior partners, Dr. Hatic, met Brian and his family. Dr. Hatic was able to reduce and splint Brian, as well as, make him more comfortable with his pain, and then sent him home. Surgery was then performed within a week.

Brian was very lucky to have a great medical team at the game. Much less pain and valuable time was saved for Brian by having Dr. Hatic meet him at the hospital instead of waiting in the ER for the on call doctor. Dr. Philbin already briefed Dr. Hatic on Brian’s condition so the physician knew what to expect when he arrived at the hospital, and surgery could be set up very quickly so Brian could get on his way to a faster recovery.

Brian and his family continue to be very pleased with our staff at OFAC. They said everyone they have encountered has been very patient and kind. Dr. Philbin and the team at our office have also been very encouraging and have made a very stressful situation more manageable due to our seamless process. Brian is now looking forward to rehabbing and getting back on the field again next year to play football his senior year.

Our goal at OFAC is to continue to help similar patients like Brian to get back to playing sports with excellent communication between medical teams and outstanding clinical care.

Every patient who comes to OFAC is there to see the doctor. They are looking for the physician’s opinion, his diagnosis and cure. But behind our skilled physicians is a team of forty employees working to make every patient’s experience the absolute best it can be.

Our Phone Operators take hundreds of calls per day, answering questions, directing calls and making appointments. The Receptionists greet patients when they arrive; collect demographic data while our Check-Out staff and Outside Test Schedulers coordinate the physicians’ orders and make
follow-up appointments.

The Nurses and Medical Assistants escort the patients to the exam room, review medical history and make notes for the day’s visit. They work in unison with the X-ray Techs, Cast and Ortho Technicians to take radiographs; MRI’s and apply/remove casts. All of this is done with great care and efficiency in preparation of the physician’s visit with the patient.

After the physician discusses his findings with the patient and potentially; plans surgery, other OFAC staff members step in to apply boots and braces and recommend retail products that can be found at our FootSourceMD store. At FootSourceMD we have knowledgeable staff on hand to assist in fitting shoes, getting crutches or padding to make patients feel more comfortable.

For some patients, the Surgery Schedulers take time to plan a surgical date, answer questions and complete the necessary paperwork for a variety of procedures.

As the day moves ahead, our billing staff enters the day’s charges, submits electronic claims, posts payments and works accounts receivable. At the same time, the Managers try to keep all the moving parts in motion while tending to everyday accounting, payroll, personnel and business issues.

This team of forty OFAC employees supports the physicians so they can provide their opinion, diagnosis and cure. We love what we do and hope all our patients will come to see the physician – and the staff at OFAC.

Congratulations to Carrie Kall who was just announced as the Employee of the Quarter and the Co-Worker Customer Service Award Winner. The Co-Worker Customer Service Award is an award that is given to someone who offers assistance to patients as well as co-workers, and goes above and beyond with customer service to make every patient at OFAC have a good experience. It is given to her by her peers, so it a great honor.

Carrie will be celebrating her one year anniversary with OFAC this October. As well as working for OFAC, Carrie works part time in a veterinary clinic. She graduated from the University of Findlay with a major in Biology and is currently obtaining her Masters degree at The Ohio State University. Carrie works the front desk, however, she assists with all front office positions. Carrie is a die hard Browns fan, as she is from the Cleveland area. We wish her the best of luck cheering on the Browns <br> this season!

Again Carrie, congratulations and thank you for all of your hard work. We are lucky to have you as part of the OFAC team.

Join Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center and the Central Ohio Primary Care Foundation this Labor Day to “Run for the Health of It”

Event: “Run 4 the Health of It” 4 mile Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run

It’s more than a race. It’s pure fun for the entire family featuring live entertainment, face painting, food, beverages, local celebrities and one of the best kept secrets in town, the post-race raffle! This event is fast becoming a central Ohio Labor Day tradition!


Location: Westerville Sports Complex

Date: Monday, September 6, 2010

Time: 9:00am

Registration/Packet Pickup: 8:00am

Registration prices: Kids Fun Run – $10 / 4 mile Run/Walk – $25 Race Day- $30

For more information and to register online CLICK HERE