FAQs

What does a podiatrist treat?

A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the foot and ankle. At Foot Centers of Maryland, we treat heel pain, bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, warts, sports injuries, fractures, arthritis, neuropathy, and diabetic foot problems, and we perform foot and ankle surgery when conservative care is not enough.

Where are your offices located?

We have five offices: the Overlea Office at 7602 Belair Road in Baltimore, the Mercy Office at 301 St. Paul Place in downtown Baltimore, the Glen Burnie Office at 7927 Ritchie Highway, Suite D, the Lutherville Office at 1734 York Rd in Timonium, and the Reisterstown Office at 114 Business Center Dr in Reisterstown. Visit our contact page for directions and hours.

What are your office hours?

Our Overlea, Mercy, and Glen Burnie offices are open Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM. The Lutherville Office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9AM to 5PM, and the Reisterstown Office is open Wednesdays, 9AM to 5PM. All offices are closed on weekends.

How do I schedule an appointment?

You can call any of our offices at (410) 844-4700 or request a visit online through our appointments page. Our team will help you choose the location and time that works best for you.

Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist?

Many patients can see a podiatrist without a referral, but some HMO and managed care plans require one. We recommend checking with your insurance carrier or calling our office before your visit so we can help confirm what your plan requires.

What insurance plans do you accept?

We participate in most managed care and insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Coventry, Medicare, One Net, PHCS, Great West, and United Health Care. Please call our office to verify your coverage before your appointment.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Please bring a list of all your current medications, a driver’s license or photo ID, and your insurance card. You can save time at check-in by completing our new patient paperwork in advance from the online forms page.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you cannot keep a scheduled appointment or will be running late, please call us as soon as possible. Charges may apply to appointments cancelled less than 24 hours before the scheduled time.

Do you offer X-rays in the office?

Yes. Our Overlea, Glen Burnie, and Mercy offices have on-site X-ray equipment, so we can often diagnose fractures, arthritis, bone spurs, and structural problems during the same visit.

When should I see a podiatrist for foot pain?

Foot pain is not normal. You should schedule a visit if pain lasts more than a few days, keeps you from walking comfortably, follows an injury, or comes with swelling, numbness, color changes, or a wound that is slow to heal.

Why is foot care so important if I have diabetes?

Diabetes can cause nerve damage and poor circulation, which means small cuts or blisters may go unnoticed and fail to heal. Regular exams through our diabetic foot care program help catch problems early and lower the risk of ulcers, infection, and amputation.

Are custom orthotics better than store-bought inserts?

Store-bought inserts offer general cushioning, while custom orthotics are prescription devices made from a mold or scan of your feet. They are designed to correct how your foot functions, which can relieve heel pain, arch pain, and pressure problems that generic inserts often cannot.

Do I need surgery for my bunion?

Not always. Many bunions improve with wider shoes, padding, orthotics, and anti-inflammatory care. When pain persists or the deformity worsens, our surgeons offer options including Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction, which corrects the unstable joint at its root.

What non-surgical treatments do you offer for chronic heel or tendon pain?

Depending on your diagnosis, we may recommend stretching, physical therapy, custom orthotics, night splints, injections, or Shockwave Therapy (EPAT/ESWT), a non-invasive treatment that stimulates healing in chronic plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon problems.

Can you remove plantar warts?

Yes. We treat warts with prescription topical therapy, cryotherapy, excision for stubborn cases, and Swift Microwave Therapy, a quick, non-invasive option that helps your immune system clear the virus that causes warts.

Should I try to fix an ingrown toenail at home?

We do not recommend at-home “bathroom surgery,” especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation. A podiatrist can remove the offending nail border quickly with local numbing, and offer a permanent correction if ingrown nails keep coming back.

Do you treat foot problems in children and seniors?

Yes. We care for patients of all ages, from children with in-toeing or flat feet to older adults who need help with thick nails, calluses, arthritis, and fall prevention through our geriatric foot care services.

Do you treat sports injuries?

Yes. Our sports medicine care covers ankle sprains, stress fractures, Achilles injuries, plantar fasciitis, and other overuse injuries, with a focus on a safe return to play and preventing reinjury.