Common Questions
What is a Podiatrist?
The podiatric foot and ankle surgeon functions in care of ambulatory and hospitalized patients, delivers both acute and chronic care, and carries out surgical procedures ranging from minor (correction of an uncomplicated ingrown toenail) to major (arthroplasty, management of the deeply infected diabetic foot).
He/she is a consultant and colleague to the primary care physician, podiatric surgical colleague to the medical specialist (e.g., diabetologist), and deliverer of continuing care to the patient with chronic foot/ankle pathology.
How is a Podiatrist different from my regular doctor?
As in allopathic and osteopathic medicine, the podiatric specialist trains as a generalist first, then receives the additional training to qualify in the specialty. Seven colleges of podiatric medicine award the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree to persons who successfully complete the 4-year curriculum. The podiatric medical curriculum parallels that of allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, with more focus on foot and ankle anatomy, pathology, and clinical medicine in the final 2 years. The colleges are accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, which is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and Council of Post-Secondary Education.
A DPM wishing to specialize in foot and ankle surgery then enters up to 3 years of residency in an accredited residency program at an allopathic or osteopathic hospital and affiliated institutions, with additional specialized fellowship training available. Podiatric surgery residencies emphasize foot-ankle pathology, diagnosis and treatment, but also require clinical rotations to other departments. Hospitals sponsoring podiatric residencies are accredited by the Joint Commission of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
A DPM who successfully completes residency training is qualified to sit for certifying examination by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. Board-certified or -qualified foot and ankle surgeons meet criteria for membership in the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). In 1997, there were more than 14,000 DPMs in the U.S., and more than 5,000 Board-certified/qualified foot and ankle surgeons.
How do I get to your office?
We are conveniently located on Lakeview Drive, one block west of N. Fairfield road and just 2 buildings north of Kemp Rd. Please see the map in the “our office” section for complete directions.
What are your hours?
Monday, 9:00am – 7:30pm
Tuesday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
What information do I need to bring with me when I come to your office for my appointment?
Medical history, list of all medications and allergies, insurance cards, and a parent or guardian if you are under 18 years of age.
Why do you need to know about my medical history, family history, and medications if you are only treating my feet?
Feet are said to be the “mirror of an individual’s health…
Because medical problems such as arthritis and circulatory disorders often reveal their initial symptoms in the lower extremities. Serious consequences can arise without proper examination, diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle problems in the earliest stages possible. Yet, foot disorders are among the most widespread and neglected health problems in our culture. *
Not only can other disease states manifest in the feet, the diseases and in some cases specific foot disorders can be inherited.
Podiatrists often prescribe medications to treat your foot problem. If you are on any other medications or have allergies to medications or chemicals, it is important to inform your podiatrist to prevent drug reactions or interactions.
* ACFAS publication: The Podiatric Surgeon: Your Choice for Complete Foot and Ankle Care
Will my insurance pay for my visit to your office?
We are a provider for most of the major insurance companies in the area. Please check the listing on our web site for the name of your company or network. It is always wise to call your insurance company about your individual plan.
If your insurance requires a referral it is your responsibility to obtain this from your primary care provider prior to coming to our office.
It is important to understand that there are never any guarantees that your insurance company will cover any type of medical care. This, however, should not be the determining factor in your decision to get an opinion from a health care professional. Maintaining optimal health should be a priority in your decision making.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash or check. At this time we do not accept credit cards. In compliance with the agreement that both you and our office have with your insurance company, all co-payments are due at the time of your appointment.
Why is it important to take care of my feet?
The tendency to overlook symptoms of foot and ankle disorders may be attributed to a generally accepted misconception: many people assume that a certain amount of foot pain is normal, and therefore resign themselves to living with problems that could be treated, relieved, or eliminated. The importance of foot and ankle health care cannot be overstated:
- The foot is a complex structure of 26 bones, 33 joints and 107 ligaments - together the foot comprise 1/4 of the bones in the body. *
- The average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps in a day, adding up to about 115,000 miles in a lifetime – enough to take you around the planet more than four times! *
- There are over 300 known foot ailments, ranging from those that cause chronic discomfort to those that may put apatient’s life, limb, or mobility at risk. *
- More than 75% of Americans will experience foot problems in their lifetime. *
* ACFAS publication: The Podiatric Surgeon: Your Choice for Complete Foot and Ankle Care
What are some warning signs that indicate I need to see a foot doctor?
Pain is the most common reason that people seek the care of a podiatrist. Pain itself is the symptom of an underlying problem which could include infection, fracture, sprain, arthritis, nerve disorders, circulatory problems, skin or nail disease, tumors, joint dislocation, tendonitis, foreign body like glass or metal in the foot, and many other injuries or disease states. One of the most common complaints today is heel pain. Heel pain is the fastest-growing foot problem in the country, brought on by the growing popularity of sports activities. * It is also common in today’s workplace, with long hours on the feet walking, lifting, climbing, and standing.
Swelling is another reason for seeking a podiatrist. Swelling, or edema, can be related to a heart condition or circulatory disorders, or may be due to a local problem involving only the foot such as an injury.
Discoloration is another sign that something may be wrong. Redness could be an infection or an inflammatory process such as gout, whereas bruising or black and blue coloration is more likely seen in an injury or a circulatory condition. Lack or color or unusual paleness may also be an indication that something is wrong and should be evaluated.
Of course all three of these – pain, swelling, and discoloration may be seen together or in any combination. Sometimes lack of pain but presence of swelling or discoloration is seen in patients that lack normal feeling – such as diabetics with neuropathy.
Diabetics are advised by their primary care physicians or internists to have their feet checked by a podiatrist on a regular basis. This is good preventative advice since 23% of hospitalized diabetics are admitted for foot problems. It has been found that physicians who practice aggressive treatment and management techniques, and who emphasize patient education, reduce amputations and hospital stays. **
Anytime there is a concern about flat feet, toeing-in, high arches, or toe walking in children it is best to have them evaluated to make sure development is normal and to prevent problems as they grow.
* Emergency Medical Services Magazine
** The American Diabetes Association
What do podiatric physicians treat?
Board-certified podiatric physicians may have hospital and outpatient facility privileges. He/she may use conservative or surgical approaches in treating a patient’s particular problem as indicated by their diagnostic information and individual needs and circumstances.
Podiatrists see patients as referred from allopathic, osteopathic, and other podiatric physicians, as well as those that are self or family referred. The care given may be acute or chronic, and as in other areas of medicine, episodic care is often less cost-effective than is continuity of care and preventative care.
Structural/mechanical conditions may be congenital or could be caused by activity level, shoe gear, or living and working conditions. This would include bunions, hammertoes, heel spurs/fasciitis, neuromas, etc.
Nail conditions include ingrown and fungal nails, infections, and injuries of the nail and surrounding skin. What is seen as a common ingrown nail may be complicated by underlying disease states such as diabetes, circulatory, and neurologic conditions.
Trauma-induced conditions would include such things as fractures, torn ligaments, ankle sprains, puncture wounds, contusions/bruises, and lacerations.
Underlying foot problems are often associated with other medical conditions such as ulcers in the diabetic patient, bony deformities seen with arthritis and gout, fractures seen with osteoporosis, etc.
Tumors include a wide variety of types and can involve any tissue from skin to bone.
Sports injuries are common in young children through middle age, and could include sprains, fractures, shin splints, blisters, etc.
Childhood foot deformities and problems can encompass a wide range. Skin and nails may exhibit plantar warts, ingrown toenails with infections. Many children walk with their feet turned in or out excessively, or may have flat feet. Also common are injuries to the “growth plates” in the bones, which can interfere with normal development as the child grows.
Women suffer more foot problems in general than men. This is partly due to foot wear, and can be due to pregnancy and the physiologic changes that take place.
