FAQs – You Asked, We Answered

What will happen during my visit?

Your visit will begin with a complete medical history and biomechanical examination to understand you and your feet. Next, your feet will be thoroughly examined, and an initial diagnosis by the podiatrist, Dr. Baldinger, will be made.

To confirm his initial diagnosis, Dr. Baldinger may order X-rays, an MRI, lab culture or blood work. This is where he often discovers underlying medical or biomechanical problems that have never been diagnosed. With the correct diagnosis in hand, Dr. Baldinger will create your customized treatment plan. He will lay out your options in a way that you can understand, ask questions, and be an active partner in your care.

You will benefit from the doctor’s 40 years of clinical experience combined with the patience and understanding of the entire practice.

If you have questions, please contact the office at 845-425-8686

How do I know if I have misaligned feet?

Misalignment causes your anklebone/talus to slide off your heel bone, slightly forward causing a small space called your sinus tarsi to collapse. This ultimately causes your foot to roll inward when you take a step. Misaligned feet are the cause of many symptoms including foot pain, knee pain, and hip pain and it is estimated that 45% of people suffer from it, but never get the correct diagnosis.

If you suffer from the above conditions, consider coming in for a consultation to find out if you have misaligned feet, and how Dr. Baldinger can help.

What do you mean by "advanced procedures"?
Dr. Baldinger is one of the few experts in a procedure called EOTTS (extra-osseous talotarsal stabilization) that corrects bone misalignment – that actually corrects flat feet (for life!) and relieves the symptoms that accompany them such as bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, back pain, hip pain, knee pain, and poor posture. 

The procedure is performed with twilight anesthesia. The procedure involves minimal downtime. In fact, unlike most foot surgery, pain is minimal, and patients can walk right away without a cast or crutches. 

Am I, or is my child, a candidate for EOTTS?

If you have problems walking and experience pain to the degree that your quality of life has suffered, you may be a candidate for EOTTS (Extra-Osseous Talo-Tarsal Stabilization*). Most patients come to us after many years of suffering, having seen several other doctors, podiatrists or orthotists. In almost every case, they have a drawer full of orthotics, none of which have changed their condition.

*EOTTS is safe for people age 5 – 95

Why don’t my orthotics work?

Orthotics typically fail because the material is inferior, custom prescription is incorrect or they don’t fit into the shoes you love to wear. The talus (ankle bone) maintains the arch, when correctly functioning on the calcaneus (heel bone). When the talus is dislocated the orthotic cannot correct the arch problem.

What’s the difference between a podiatrist and a pedorthist?

A Podiatrist went to medical school and has been trained in of the biomechanics of the foot and surgery of the foot. A Pedorthist or Orthotist is a someone who is qualified only to do one thing – make orthotics. Orthotics made by a board-certified Podiatrist, like Dr. Baldinger, are far superior in fit and quality than those made by a Pedorthist or Orthotist.

Do you take my insurance?

No – we are a private practice and accept credit card, cash, or check at the time of your visit. Dr. Baldinger works only with you, the patient, to provide the very best care. We do not contract with any outside parties such as insurance companies that influence the time you spend with the doctor, or the outcome of your healthcare. We endeavor to keep the cost of medical care affordable and, more importantly, known to our patients upfront. However, if you do have insurance, we are happy to submit your claim to them, as a professional courtesy.  Additionally, should you need a prescription, lab culture or blood work, you would use your insurance as normal outside of the office.

Will my treatment cost a fortune?

The goal of our practice is to heal you with minimum downtime.  Better diagnostics and better management of chronic foot/ankle conditions keep you and your feet healthy longer.  The cost of an initial consultation starts at just $200.00. Additional cost can depend on the complexity of your medical problem, treatment plan and additional services that you may need during your visit.

Happily, because their problem is properly diagnosed, many of our patients have to return to our office fewer times than they anticipated.