Podiatry FAQs

Information, questions and answers about podiatry

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. I explained to patients, this is similar to a patient carrying around 150 lb. dumbbell all day and how the muscles in their 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. Oftentimes That, 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 athletes foot. Sometimes this problem can be caused from trauma to the nails. Treatment for fungus to toenails is best using 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 fingers wdith in front of the longest toe while standing.

Dr Klein is a doctor of podiatry in Boca Raton. If your question hasn't been answered here, call him today at 561-447-7571 or fill out our question form.