As a foot and ankle medical and surgical practice, our office does not perform pedicure services, foot massage/reflexology or trim fingernails. These services are typically found in a foot spa or beauty salon. A pedicurist cuts, files and paints nails and is concerned with aesthetics. This is a not characteristic of Doctors of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Hoy is a physician and surgeon of the foot and ankle.
There are published guidelines for certain populations that surgical reduction of nails and calluses by a podiatrist is important. There are populations who do not have adequate circulation to heal wounds or infections. There are other populations who lack sensation in their feet. When these conditions occur, long or thick nails or calluses can act like knives or rocks that damage skin, and cause infections and tissue death, also known as gangrene. Nails when long can cut into adjacent toes or can tear off the nail bed, giving problems to those with poor circulation. Nails that are thick can press down into the nail bed and cause ulcers. Calluses and corns, apart from being painful, can also cause ulcers.
Many insurances have guidelines for nails, calluses and corns to be reduced in the above at-risk patients, and in cases where there is pain caused by the nails, corns and calluses. This is done for a safety and not a cosmetic purpose, and is referred to as medically necessary at-risk foot care. These services we do. The services are billed as a medical office visit and/or surgical procedure.
Therefore, the work of a podiatrist is to render preventive at-risk foot care, or to treat the foot after something limb threatening has occurred, such as wounds and infections. We will be happy to refer those who need foot spa or beauty salon services to the nearest convenient location.
