Frequently Asked Questions

Patients come to Precision Foot & Ankle Centers for issues large and small. On any given day, our specialists might be treating:

• A stubborn ingrown toenail or a case of dry, cracked skin
• Persistent heel pain that hasn’t improved on its own
• A recent sprain, fracture, or tendon strain
• A bunion or hammertoe that’s started to affect daily comfort
• Ongoing diabetic foot monitoring or a slow-healing wound
• Complex foot or ankle structural issues

Our philosophy is simple: even a small foot or skin concern gets the same level of clinical attention as a more serious injury, because catching it early usually means a simpler fix.

Yes, and it’s one of the more common reasons patients schedule with us. Instead of focusing only on where it hurts, our providers look at how you actually move (your stride, your footwear, and how your foot is bearing weight) to pinpoint what’s driving the pain. That assessment might lead to:

• Custom Orthotics built around the specific mechanical issue we find
• A physical therapy plan aimed at restoring strength without overloading the area again
• Practical adjustments to training habits or footwear choices
• A brace to protect the joint while it heals

Patients who come in early, rather than waiting to see if it improves on its own, generally have an easier road back to full activity.

Here’s what a typical first appointment looks like:

• Your provider listens first. When the issue started, what makes it better or worse, how it’s disrupting your routine
• A hands-on exam follows, checking for swelling, tenderness, and limited movement
• X-rays are taken on-site, if your provider decides imaging will help clarify the diagnosis
• You leave with a specific plan, not a vague “let’s wait and see”

Since we handle diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up entirely in-house, you won’t be sent elsewhere partway through your care.

Surgery is not our default recommendation, most patients we see never need it. Before that conversation happens, we generally work through options such as:

• Custom orthotics molded specifically to your foot
• A structured course of stretching or physical therapy
• Non-invasive treatments designed for chronic, stubborn pain
• Injections to reduce inflammation in an irritated joint or tendon
• Footwear changes based on how your foot is shaped and how you walk

On the occasions surgery is the right call, the same team that diagnosed you performs the surgery and monitors through the entire recovery, so your care doesn’t get handed off midway.

Yes. This is a request we get regularly, and we’re glad to help. A specialist will go through your prior records and imaging, conduct a full exam of their own, and take the time to answer your questions so you can weigh your options with confidence, whatever you decide.

We accept most major insurance plans, including but not limited to Anthem, Aetna, Axminster/Providence Medical Group, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, Health Care LA IPA, InterCare Community Health Network, Lakeside Health Services, Medicare, Motion Picture Health Plan, Optum Care Network, Regal Medical Group, Saint John’s Healthcare, Tricare West Region, and United Healthcare. Since coverage details vary by plan, we recommend calling our office ahead of your visit so our team can confirm your specific benefits.

Most patients get in within the same week, and same-day openings are common at both our San Pedro and Torrance offices. You typically won’t need a referral to book. If something comes up unexpectedly, like a fall or a sudden flare-up of pain, call us for immediate availability options.

Yes. Both Precision Foot & Ankle Centers locations have digital X-ray equipment on-site, so imaging is done during your appointment itself, not as a separate errand on a different day.

As soon as your results are ready, they’re uploaded to your secure Patient Portal account. From there, we schedule a follow-up so a provider can sit down with you, explain what the results actually mean, and map out a treatment plan based on them.

A reasonable schedule looks something like this:

• If you’re generally healthy: once a year is a good baseline, especially if you’re already wearing orthotics
• If you have diabetes or a circulation issue: at least annually, sometimes more frequently depending on your risk
• If you’re consistently active: an annual check can catch overuse issues before they turn into real injuries
• If something hurts right now: don’t wait for your “yearly visit”. Come in

With same-day slots typically open, there’s usually no reason to put off a visit you’ve been putting off.