Common Questions

Q: Are the services of a podiatrist covered by my health insurance?

A: Most services performed by a podiatrist are covered under your health insurance. There are some exceptions which are usually listed in your insurance policy, at the end under exceptions.

Q: Is surgery the best way to get rid of my foot pain?

A: Surgery is usually used as a last resort with most podiatric problems. All conservative treatment should be exhausted before surgery is recommended. There are some instances where surgery is a first line of treatment, but that is not common.

Q: What causes sore feet?

A: Sore feet are generally caused by an abnormal foot structure. The foot normally elongates upon weight-bearing causing the muscles on the bottom of the foot to receive a great amount of stress which causes tired, burning feet. This is similar to carrying around a 150-pound dumbbell all day and how the muscles in your arms would feel at the end of the day. Sometimes sore feet are just caused by shoes that are too tight.

Q: What are bunions?

A: A bunion is a bony deformity usually occurring around the big toe joint. Oftentimes they are very painful. The common belief is that bunions are caused by tight or ill fitting shoes, but actually, bunions are caused by a mechanical breakdown in the foot. Many times when patients have mild bunions and are not interested in surgery we use orthotics which will help stop the progression of the bunion. Surgery is the only permanent solution for bunions. Orthotics are used after surgery to help prevent the reoccurrence of the bunion.

Q: Why are my toenails becoming thick and discolored ?

A: Thick and discolored toenails are often caused by a fungus that invades the nail. It is the same type of fungus that causes athlete’s foot. Sometimes this problem can be caused from trauma to the nails. Treatment for fungus to toenails often involves an oral medicine, but sometimes can be treated with topical medications. Sometimes thick nails are not fungus at all but are due to trauma – either from something dropping onto the toenail or shoes that are too tight, especially athletic shoes. Athletic shoes should be fit so that there is a full finger’s width in front of the longest toe while standing.