FAQs

What is a podiatrist and what do they treat?

A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Podiatrists treat a wide range of issues including heel pain, bunions, ingrown toenails, flat feet, ankle sprains, hammertoes, toenail fungus, diabetic foot complications, neuromas, warts, gout, and more. At Comprehensive Podiatry Associates, P.C. Foot Specialists, our podiatrists also perform surgical corrections when conservative care is not sufficient.

Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist?

In most cases, you do not need a referral to schedule an appointment at Comprehensive Podiatry Associates, P.C. Foot Specialists. However, some insurance plans do require a referral from your primary care physician before seeing a specialist. We recommend contacting your insurance provider ahead of your visit to confirm your plan’s requirements. Our front desk team is also available to help answer insurance questions — call us at .

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Please bring a valid photo ID, your insurance card, a list of any current medications and supplements, and any relevant prior imaging or medical records related to your foot or ankle complaint. We also ask that new patients complete their intake forms before their visit — these are available as a downloadable PDF or as an online form on our New Patients page.

How do I schedule an appointment?

You can schedule an appointment by calling our East Setauket office at (631) 689-0202 or our Selden office at (631) 451-1125. You may also request an appointment online through our appointments page. Both offices are currently accepting new patients.

What insurance plans do you accept?

We work with a wide variety of insurance plans to make podiatric care accessible to our patients. We accept Medicare and Medicaid, as well as many commercial insurance plans. Because coverage varies, we recommend contacting our office or your insurance provider directly to confirm that your specific plan is accepted before your appointment.

What are your office hours?

Our East Setauket office is open Monday through Friday with varying hours — please call (631) 689-0202 for the current schedule. Our Selden office is open Monday through Thursday and Saturday, and is closed Fridays and Sundays. Call (631) 451-1125 for specific Selden hours. Hours are subject to change, so we recommend confirming when you schedule your visit.

Do you treat children?

Yes. We provide podiatric care for patients of all ages, including children. Pediatric foot conditions — such as flat feet, Sever’s disease, gait abnormalities, and sports injuries — are common and benefit greatly from early professional evaluation. If your child is complaining of foot or leg pain, or if you have noticed changes in the way they walk, we encourage you to schedule a pediatric evaluation.

Do you treat diabetic patients?

Yes. Diabetic foot care is one of the most important services we provide. Patients with diabetes are at significantly elevated risk for foot ulcers, infections, and nerve damage due to neuropathy and reduced circulation. We offer comprehensive diabetic foot evaluations, preventive care, nail and callus management, wound care, and custom diabetic orthotics to help protect your feet and prevent serious complications.

What is the difference between custom orthotics and store-bought insoles?

Store-bought insoles are generic, one-size-fits-most products that provide general cushioning but are not designed to address your specific foot structure or biomechanical issues. Custom orthotics are precision-crafted biomedical devices made from a detailed impression of your individual feet. They are designed to correct specific imbalances, control abnormal motion, redistribute pressure, and relieve pain in a way that off-the-shelf insoles simply cannot match.

Do you offer digital X-rays in your office?

Yes. Both our East Setauket and Selden offices are equipped with state-of-the-art digital X-ray technology. Digital X-rays allow us to diagnose fractures, bone spurs, structural deformities, and other conditions right in our office, with results available immediately. They expose patients to significantly less radiation than traditional film X-rays and eliminate the need for a separate imaging referral.

When should I see a podiatrist instead of waiting to see if my foot problem goes away?

You should schedule an evaluation if your foot or ankle pain has lasted more than a few days without improvement, if it is severe enough to limit your normal activities, if it followed an injury or fall, if you notice swelling, bruising, or skin changes, or if you have diabetes or circulation problems and any foot issue arises. Many foot conditions that seem minor can worsen significantly without treatment — early care almost always leads to better and faster outcomes.

Do you perform foot surgery?

Yes. Our podiatric surgeons are experienced in performing surgical corrections for a range of foot disorders including bunions, hammertoes, foot fractures, neuromas, and chronic plantar fasciitis. Surgery is always considered a last resort — we exhaust every conservative option first and only recommend surgery when it is truly the best path to lasting relief for the patient.

What is plantar fasciitis and how is it treated?

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia — the fibrous tissue along the bottom of the foot that supports the arch. It is the most common cause of heel pain and is characterized by a sharp, stabbing pain with the first steps in the morning. Treatment typically includes targeted stretching, custom orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and supportive footwear. For persistent cases, we also offer Shockwave (EPAT) therapy. Surgery is rarely needed.

Can foot problems cause knee, hip, or back pain?

Yes. The feet are the foundation of the entire body’s movement system, and biomechanical problems in the feet — such as overpronation from flat feet — can cause a chain reaction of misalignment that affects the ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. Custom orthotics that correct foot mechanics can often provide significant relief not just in the feet, but throughout the entire lower extremity and lumbar spine.

What is the best way to prevent foot problems?

Some of the most effective preventive habits include wearing properly fitted, supportive footwear appropriate for your activity, replacing athletic shoes regularly, never going barefoot in communal areas, inspecting your feet daily (especially if you have diabetes), maintaining a healthy weight to reduce pressure on the feet, stretching before physical activity, and scheduling regular podiatric check-ups — particularly if you have a chronic condition like diabetes, neuropathy, or arthritis. If you notice any changes in your feet or develop pain, seeking care early is always the best strategy.

Do you treat sports injuries of the foot and ankle?

Absolutely. Our sports medicine services are designed specifically for athletes and active individuals dealing with foot and ankle injuries. We treat acute injuries like ankle sprains and stress fractures as well as chronic overuse conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and sesamoiditis. We develop individualized treatment and return-to-sport plans to get you back in the game as quickly and safely as possible.

What is gout and can a podiatrist treat it?

Yes. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints, most commonly affecting the big toe. It causes sudden, severe pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected joint. Our podiatrists diagnose and manage gout with anti-inflammatory medications for acute attacks and long-term strategies — including dietary guidance and uric acid-lowering treatment — to reduce the frequency and severity of future flares.

How long does recovery take after foot surgery?

Recovery time varies significantly depending on the procedure. Minor procedures such as ingrown toenail removal typically allow return to normal footwear within one to two weeks. More involved surgeries — such as bunion correction or hammertoe repair — may require four to eight weeks of protected weight-bearing and several months for full return to activity. Your podiatric surgeon will provide a detailed, individualized recovery timeline and monitor your healing at follow-up appointments throughout the process.

What should I do if I have a wound on my foot that isn’t healing?

Any foot wound that has not begun healing within 24 to 48 hours — or any wound in a patient with diabetes, neuropathy, or poor circulation — should be evaluated by a podiatrist promptly. Our wound care services include debridement, infection management, moisture-balanced dressing protocols, and offloading to protect the wound during healing. Do not wait — non-healing wounds can escalate quickly into serious infections, especially in patients with compromised health.

How do I know if I have a stress fracture in my foot?

Stress fractures in the foot typically present with a gradual onset of localized pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. The area over the affected bone is usually tender to the touch, and mild swelling may be present. Stress fractures can be difficult to identify without imaging. Our in-house digital X-rays allow us to quickly assess the bones of the foot and confirm or rule out a stress fracture so that appropriate treatment — typically rest, activity restriction, and protective footwear — can begin right away.