Frequently Asked Questions

For most foot and ankle problems, either one is appropriate, and the practical difference is training focus and access. A podiatrist holds a DPM and completes a three-year surgical residency devoted entirely to the foot and ankle. An orthopedic surgeon holds an MD or DO and completes a five-year residency across the whole musculoskeletal system, and some then add a one-year foot and ankle fellowship. So a podiatrist and a fellowship-trained foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon are both deeply specialized in this area. Podiatry practices can usually see you sooner, which matters when you are in pain. If your injury extends above the ankle, or your foot problem is driven by something at the knee, hip, or spine, orthopedics is often the better starting point, and we will tell you that and help you get there.

DPM stands for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Training is four years of podiatric medical school followed by a three-year hospital-based surgical residency focused entirely on the foot and ankle, including trauma, reconstruction, and diabetic limb salvage. Many podiatrists, including Dr. Lauren Towner, complete additional fellowship training after residency. Podiatrists are licensed physicians and surgeons of the foot and ankle, and they diagnose, prescribe, and operate within that scope.

Most foot and ankle problems are handled well in a general podiatry practice. Complex cases are different: Charcot reconstruction, total ankle replacement, failed prior surgery, deformity correction, and limb salvage call for someone who does that work regularly. Dr. Towner completed fellowship training in limb deformity correction and advanced surgical skills, covering Charcot reconstruction, total ankle replacement, external fixation including Ilizarov and hexapod frames, revisional surgery, and limb salvage. That means complex cases do not automatically have to leave the area.

Go to the emergency room or call 911 for severe bleeding, an obvious deformity or bone through the skin, a foot that is suddenly cold, pale, or numb, or signs of a serious infection such as fever with a spreading red, warm foot. Urgent care is reasonable after hours when you need an X-ray and cannot reach us. For everything else, and for follow-up after an urgent care or ER visit, a podiatry office is the better setting, because you get the imaging, the diagnosis, and the treatment plan in one place from someone who does this all day.

Usually not. Most patients can book directly. Some insurance plans require a referral from your primary care physician, so it is worth checking your plan before your visit. Call the office and we can help you find out.

Yes. We send notes after your visit, including our assessment, the plan of care, and any follow up, so your other physicians stay informed. We also coordinate directly with endocrinology, vascular surgery, orthopedics, and wound care when a problem crosses specialties.

Most heel pain is plantar fasciitis or related tendon irritation, which is painful but not dangerous, and it typically responds to conservative care. Get it looked at sooner rather than later if the pain started with a specific injury or a pop, if you cannot put weight on the foot, if there is numbness or tingling, if the heel is swollen, red, or warm, or if you have diabetes. Heel pain that has not improved after a few weeks of rest, stretching, and supportive shoes is also worth an exam, because a stress fracture and a nerve problem can both look like plantar fasciitis at first.

Not every sprain does. Imaging is generally warranted if you could not put weight on the ankle right after the injury and still cannot take a few steps, or if you have tenderness directly on the bone at the back edge or tip of either ankle bone, or on the outside midfoot bone. Those findings come from a well-validated clinical rule used in emergency departments. Bruising and swelling by themselves are not reliable signs of a fracture. If you are unsure, get it checked, because a missed fracture or an untreated ligament tear is what leads to a chronically unstable ankle later.

Promptly, in days rather than weeks, even if it does not hurt. Neuropathy can mask a wound that is getting worse. Seek same-day care or go to the emergency room if you have fever or chills, redness spreading up the foot or leg, drainage or odor, black or darkening tissue, or a sudden change in pain. Do not wait to see whether it heals on its own, and do not use over-the-counter corn or callus removers on a diabetic foot. Early treatment is the single biggest factor in avoiding a serious outcome.

Surgery is considered when pain limits your daily activity or your shoe options and conservative care is no longer controlling it. Size alone is not a reason to operate, and neither is appearance. We start with footwear changes, padding, orthotics, and activity adjustments. If those stop working, we talk through correction options, what recovery realistically involves, and how it fits your work and your life. You will not be pushed toward surgery.

For a medical emergency, including a foot or leg injury with severe bleeding, a suspected fracture, or signs of a serious infection such as fever with a spreading red or warm foot, go to the emergency department or call 911. For non-emergencies, call the office during business hours and we will get you in as soon as we can.

Your first visit usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the type of visit. We will talk through your symptoms and history, examine your feet and ankles, and order imaging if it is helpful.

A photo ID, your insurance card, a referral if your plan requires one, a list of your current medications, and any relevant imaging or records. Bring the shoes you spend the most time in, and any orthotics or braces you use.

Yes. The office is a single floor practice with no stairs or elevators, power doors, ADA accommodations throughout, and parking close to the entrance. Let our team know if you would like help when you arrive.

Call the office and our team will walk you through it. For records, we will let you know what we need in writing to release them.

We accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most major private insurance plans. If you have questions about coverage or out of pocket costs, call the office before your visit and we will help you understand your benefits.

Most foot and ankle problems are managed without surgery. We begin with conservative care whenever it is the right choice, and we only discuss surgery when non-surgical options have run their course or when your condition calls for it. You will always understand your options before deciding.

Yes. Diabetic foot care is a core part of our practice, including routine screenings, wound care, custom diabetic shoes, and limb preservation. We coordinate with your diabetes care team. If your wound needs care beyond our scope, we can arrange referral to a wound care and hyperbaric center.

Coverage varies by plan. Diabetic shoes and inserts are often covered under Medicare and most plans when medical criteria are met. We check your benefits and explain any out of pocket cost before we order anything.

Yes. Professional nail trimming is a service we provide, and it matters even more for patients with diabetes, poor circulation, neuropathy, or vision and mobility limits. This is often covered when medical criteria are met.

Yes. We care for foot and ankle concerns in patients of all ages, including flat feet, ingrown toenails, warts, and sports injuries in younger patients.