Frequently Asked Questions

A podiatrist is a licensed physician trained to treat all disorders and ailments of the lower leg, foot, and ankle.

You should call a podiatrist for any complaint of the lower leg, foot, and ankle.

To obtain the title DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine), an individual must attend and complete a specialized four-year medical school. After obtaining a DPM degree, podiatrists will need to complete a residency program varying from one to three years in length depending upon the time of their entry into the profession.

Podiatrists in the state of Arizona can treat from a point just below the knee to the toes.

Podiatrists most certainly encounter patients with serious illnesses and are often known to preserve limbs and lives especially in those with diabetes who develop limb and life-threatening infections secondary to foot ulcers (or holes in the feet).

Podiatrists may focus on wound care, geriatric care, pediatric care, general care, orthotics, and surgery, or any combination of care. Surgery may be further specialized into foot or ankle surgery.

Podiatrists are an integral part of every healthcare system and in most cases participate with all health insurances.

One can find a qualified podiatrist by researching anyone of the numerous qualifying board such as the: American Board of Podiatric Medicine, American Board of Medical Specialties in Podiatry, American Board of Wound Healing, American Board of Lower Extremity Surgeons, and American Board of Podiatric Surgery

Corns are thickened skin on top of the foot usually the toes while calluses are thickened skin on the bottom of the foot. They are essentially the same thing but named differently by their location.

A hammertoe is a small toe that is curled from tendon imbalances. These can become painful and lead to ulcers and amputations if not treated properly.

The most common cause of heel pain is from an inflamed ligament; however, there are many other sources of heel pain which is why a podiatrist should be consulted when heel pain arises.

These are supports for the feet and vary widely in fit and function depending on whether they are over-the-counter (bought from the store) or custom-made (prescribed by a podiatrist who has received specific training in custom supports).

If the side of the skin next to the nail is red, painful, and swollen then it is infected.

This is an inflammation of the ligament that supports the arch on the bottom of the foot.

Medicare only pays for Diabetic shoes and inserts in certain cases when a patient has very specific associated risk factors such as the history of amputation, ulceration, poor blood flow, and/or neuropathy, and when numerous stringent paperwork guidelines have been adhered to.

Surgery is not always the best way to get rid of foot pain and conservative measures should be tried before surgery because of the risks involved.

Call us at (602) 938-8400.

Our office is centrally located in Phoenix off of I-17 and Peoria. Our address is 3201 West Peoria Avenue, Suite B-307.

Yes, we accept new patients. We also offer same-day or next-day appointments provided referrals are in place when needed.

We often provide consultations for a second opinion and recommend you bring reports of prior imaging studies and tests to that appointment. We also recommend you inform us if you are seeking a second opinion at the time of scheduling as these appointments require more time and discussion.

Podiatrists are licensed to treat all foot, ankle and leg conditions just below the knee all the way to the toes

To make your visit most productive we recommend:

• Please bring a current copy of your insurance card and driver’s license
• Have a copy of your referral if needed
• Please bring a complete medication list to every visit
• Bring reports on recent imaging studies and hospital discharges
• Bring old orthotics
• Please advise our staff if you are coming for a second opinion as more time is required
• Please have key contact information of primary care physician and consultants

We accept all major credit cards, Check or Cash.  Coinsurance, co-pays and deductibles are due at the time services are rendered. Please contact our office at (602) 938-8400 with any questions you may have regarding claims and statements.

Gout results from uric acid crystallization, often triggered by factors like dehydration, alcohol consumption, and high-protein diets.

Soaking in Epsom salt is not recommended for plantar fasciitis because it’s an inflammation of a foot ligament.

To fix an ingrown toenail permanently, your podiatrist can perform a procedure called permanent nail correction. This involves using a strong acid to painlessly kill the nail root, addressing the issue effectively.

Morton’s Neuroma can be effectively managed with a variety of treatments including anti-inflammatories, arch supports, shoe modifications, injections, and as a last resort, surgery.

The symptoms of posterior tibial tendonitis typically include ankle pain, swelling, and difficulty pushing off on the foot. It’s advisable to consult a podiatrist to rule out a tendon tear.

Keratin debris under toenails is a breakdown of the protein keratin found in skin. This can lead to nail disease and infections.

No, warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), not by fungus.

Yes, losing weight can help alleviate plantar fasciitis, but it’s essential to prioritize wearing supportive shoes and insoles for better relief.

If you sever your Achilles tendon, you may need surgery to reattach it to the bone using mini anchors or immobilization with a cast.

No, bunions don’t directly cause ingrown toenails, but they can worsen the condition, potentially leading to infection and discomfort.

No, bunions typically occur as bumps on the top or side of the foot where the big toe meets the ball of the foot.

A podiatrist is a specialized physician who focuses on treating various foot and ankle conditions, including bunions, fractures, wounds, flat feet, nerve pain, and more. They undergo medical school training specifically for this area of expertise.

You should see a podiatrist when foot or ankle pain worsens or doesn’t improve within two weeks. Also, individuals with diabetes should see a podiatrist yearly.

Podiatrists commonly treat foot and ankle problems like morning heel pain or pain upon standing from sitting.

To prevent foot and ankle injuries, prioritize wearing good shoes and supportive insoles.

The common treatment for ingrown toenails typically involves seeking surgical intervention by a podiatrist, as most home remedies are often unsuccessful.

Yes, podiatrists frequently treat children’s foot problems. It’s advisable to consult a podiatrist if a child experiences foot or leg pain, or if they’re observed limping. Parents of children with flat feet should also consider having their child’s feet examined to address any potential issues early on.

A bunion is a noticeable bump of bone near the big toe joint. It’s typically caused by wearing high heels and genetics.

If your big toe angles towards the small toe and you notice a sizable bump near the joint, you likely have a bunion.

Yes, bunions can be hereditary. To prevent them, wear proper footwear and consult a podiatrist for evaluation. Custom orthotics may help slow the progression of the deformity.

Treatment options for bunions include topicals, oral medications, shoe modifications, custom orthotics, injections, and surgery.

For severe bunions, surgery is often recommended, but those who prefer non-surgical options can try wearing wider or extra-depth shoes. Recovery time varies but usually takes 8 to 10 weeks, depending on the individual and the type of surgery performed.

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the ligament connecting the heel to the ball of the foot. It’s typically caused by overuse, improper footwear, or biomechanical issues.

Typical symptoms of plantar fasciitis include sharp pain during the initial steps of weight-bearing in the morning or upon standing from a seated position.

Plantar fasciitis is typically diagnosed through a clinical examination where the patient presents with heel pain.

One highly recommended treatment for plantar fasciitis is carefully choosing supportive shoes with a stiff sole and arch support. This helps prevent inflammation of the ligaments and reduces pain significantly.

It’s advisable to avoid exercising or running during a bout of plantar fasciitis to prevent further aggravation of the band.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail plate curves abnormally, often due to the shape of its root or its positioning against the toe bone. Genetic factors can also contribute, with ingrown nails often running in families.

Common symptoms of an ingrown toenail include redness, pain, swelling, and drainage.

Treating ingrown toenails at home isn’t advised due to low success rates, higher chances of recurrence, and risk of severe infections. It’s best to seek professional care from a podiatrist for safe and effective treatment.

You should see a podiatrist or healthcare professional for an ingrown toenail when you experience pain, inflammation, swelling, or drainage. Additionally, if you find that you were unable to trim the nail successfully or if the nail is aggravated by pressure, seeking professional help is advisable.

Leaving an ingrown toenail untreated can lead to severe complications such as bone infection and the possibility of amputation.

This is a painful bump of bone near the big toe joint that left untreated can lead to an inability to wear shoes and participating in daily activities whether it is work or play. And more severe cases untreated bunions can lead to ulceration and amputation.

Bunions can cause sharpshooting stabbing knifing pains about the big toe joint as well as aching and swelling about the joint. I can be common to have pain with range of motion in the big toe.

Bunions can be caused by genetics, wearing improperly, fitted shoes, high heels, and narrow shoes. They can also occur from arthritis and injury.

Bunions are diagnosed by combination of clinical exam with your podiatrist as well as by standard radiographs or x-rays.

Nonsurgical treatment of bunions includes
shoe modifications, anti-inflammatories, injections, and orthotics.

The podiatrists of Valley Foot Care, Inc are board-certified physicians and surgeons of the foot and ankle with nearly 30 years of experience that treat conditions such as:
Bunions, hammer toes, heel pain, ingrown nails, neuromas, foot and ankle fractures, Diabetic foot ulcers, wounds, ankle, sprains, warts and plantar fasciitis.

In most cases, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield and CIGNA do not require a referral to our office. Certain AHCCCS plans such as AZ Complete, Health Choice, Mercy Care, United Healthcare Community Plan do require a referral. We do recommend that each individual contact their insurance to verify if a referral is required to see a specialist as the rules are always changing. Failure to check this prior to an appointment may result in the patient being financially responsible for services provided.

We recommend that you bring a copy of your referral to your first visit if your plan requires one.
We also recommend that you bring the following:
1/Photo ID such as a license
2/Copy of your insurance card
3/A list of all your medication’s including the name dose and frequency
4/The names and phone numbers of your primary care provider as well as any specialists that you see on a regular basis.
This is important as it allows, our physicians to communicate with all of your providers and enhances the quality of your care.
5/We also recommend that you bring any old orthotics if you have them.
6/We also recommend that you bring any reports related to Imaging and laboratory testing that are pertinent to your foot complaint.

Initial visits typically require more time. This time is important to ensure the quality of your care as well as a well formulated treatment plan that suits your individual needs while meeting the regulations of your insurance.

To get the most out of your visit, we recommend completing your paperwork in advance on the patient portal. If this is not possible, we recommend that you arrive 20 minutes early to complete your paperwork and registration process. We also recommend that you bring a complete list of your medication, dosages and frequencies as well as a list of all of your treating providers And their contact information. This is the especially important as our specialists like to communicate with all of your providers to facilitate a team approach to your well-being. We also recommend that you bring copies of reports related to your condition. This helps to avoid redundant testing and time wasted, searching for documents.
It is our goal to perform a complete and comprehensive examination in which the patient feels heard and the Physician gains a full understanding of the patient’s condition.

Once the condition is understood the goal of our podiatrist is to openly discuss and offer options, that work best for you. Our goal is to restore your foot health and active lifestyle so you can do the things you enjoy the most! It is our belief that success in patient care is a joint effort in which the patient and the physician work together toward a common goal that enhances the quality of life in a long lasting and positive way.

The podiatrists at Valley Foot Care, Inc. routinely perform bunion surgery, hammer toe surgery, neuroma surgery, tendon and ligament repairs as well as diabetic foot surgery.

At Valley Foot Care, Inc. our podiatrists provide preventative foot care needing help with corns, calluses, ulcers, foot pain and structural problems of the feet. The podiatrists at Valley Foot Care, Inc. our highly skilled and certified in treating diabetic foot wounds, foot ulcers and those with acute injury to the foot.

Those with Diabetes should see a podiatrist at a minimum every year. Those with neuropathy and vascular disease should see a podiatrist every 10-12 weeks for preventative care.

The podiatrists at Valley Foot Care, Inc. use state-of-the-art technology in casting for custom orthotics capturing the most accurate impression of your feet. They are often called to consult, solve and troubleshoot those having trouble with orthotics purchased elsewhere. In their expertise with orthotics success is from

Podiatrists do indeed treat sports-related injuries from ankle sprains, fracture, ligament and tendon injuries regularly and are licensed to treat any problem in the foot and ankle regardless of how the injury occured.

Wearing narrow ill-fitted shoes and lifted heels can aggravate bunions and make them worse.

While stretches or exercises for bunion pain may be done the surgeons at Valley Foot Care, Inc. recommend proper shoe fit first followed by a consult to see which options work best for the type of bunion and symptoms.

Bunion surgery should be considered when conservative measures have failed to relieve pain and when the deformity interferes with ones ability to carry out activities of daily living.

An average healing time from bunion surgery is about 8-12 weeks depending on procdure type and severity of deformity prior to surgery.

Yes bunions can recurr after surgery. Perioperative education that addresses preventative bunion recurrance should be a part of any surgery discussion.

Swelling, bruising and pain on weightbearing limiting ability to carry out activities.

Valley Foot Care, Inc. continues to accept new patients.

We accept nearly all insurances including: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Mercy Care Plan, Medicare, Health Choice, Multi-Plan, United Healthcare and AHCCCS

Dry betwwen your toes, wear bamboo socks and open up the tongues on your shoes and alternate your shoes daily.

Valley Foot Care, Inc. continues to accept new patients.

Untreated bunions can lead to foot ulcers and toe, foot, leg amputations.

Avoid wearing ill foot shoes that are too tapered or too high

While bunion pads may provide temporary relief and bunion splints may slow the progression of a bunion deformity consultation with a podiatrist is recommended to provide more permanent relief and long term solutions.

Bunion surgeries can vary greatly in the type of procedure that is selected and the degree of deformity of the bunion. Surgical time may very from 45 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the individual case.

Podiatrists are fully capable of diagnosing and treating foot and ankle arthritis whether it is from gout, rheumatoid arthritis or osteothritis. Treatment can very from anti-inflammatories, topicals, injections, arch support and surgery.

Podiatrists are fully capable of diagnosing and treating foot and ankle arthritis whether it is from gout, rheumatoid arthritis or osteothritis. Treatment can very from anti-inflammatories, topicals, injections, arch support and surgery.

Podiatrists are fully capable of diagnosing and treating foot and ankle arthritis whether it is from gout, rheumatoid arthritis or osteothritis. Treatment can very from anti-inflammatories, topicals, injections, arch support and surgery.

The podiatrists at Valley Foot Care, Inc. are well versed at treating pediatric foot conditions such as: flat feet, heel pain, warts and ingrown nails and specialize in custom arch supports for many kids.

The podiatrists at Valley Foot Care, Inc. are well versed at treating pediatric foot conditions such as: flat feet, heel pain, warts and ingrown nails and specialize in custom arch supports for many kids.

Generally speaking bunions do get worse with time and will increase in size and pain when not addressed.

Yes, there is a strong genetic component to bunion deformities but they can also be aggravated by one leg being shorter than the other as well as wearing ill-fitting shoes.

Bunions can cause ulcerations of adjacent toes and the big toe joint. They can also cause shoe crowding that can lead to neuromas. They can also bring about stress fractures of neighboring bones called metatarsals.

A wider shoe with a rounded toe and relaxed materials works best for bunions.

One can reduce bunion pain at home by wearing appropriate shoes that are not too narrowed or tapered. Shoes with relaxed material that are free of seams are also a good idea.

It is time to visit a podiatrist if your ingrown nail displays signs of local infection such as redness, pain, swelling and beefy looking tissue that does not improve.

The podiatrists at Valley Foot Care provide complete solutions for ingrown toenails whether it has gotten infected for the first time or needs a permanent solution to correct an ingrown nail forever by treating the nail root.

Really? Call us! Request an appointment online!

Ingrown nails can be permanently fixed by applying chemical or laser to the nail root when it is not infected to prevent chronic pain and recurrence.

Ingrown nails are most commonly fixed permanently in a process known as a matrixectomy when a non-painful acid is applied to the nail root known as phenol.

Bunions are caused by a combination of poor shoe selection as well as genetics. While they do not cause ingrown nails they certainly can aggravate them by increasing pressure along a nail border as it bumps into a neighboring toe.

Bunions do not as a rule cause ingrown nail but may aggravate them. Ingrown nails are caused by nail root deformity, shape of bone under the nail and by genetic history separate from the causes of bunion deformities.

Treating a bunion may lessen neighboring ingrown nail problems but is not an effective solution at fixing and ingrown nail. The only way to fix and ingrown nail is by performing a nail procedure which is entirely separate from fixing a bunion and has a completely different course of treatment and recovery.

Yes children can develop bunions and ingrown nails. Prompt medical attention is recommended in children to discuss deformity and non surgical options to slow progression of deformities and may very well involve the use of custom orthotics prior to surgery.