Frank J. Santopietro, DPM

Started off going for my son, but ended up with orthotics of my own! In a matter of 2 weeks I’m feeling better all around (knee and back.) A fun and lively office full of nice people who know what they are doing. If you don’t understand something, ask and it will be explained to you by someone who is passionate about what they do! Many, many thanks Dr. S!

An aging athlete with one back surgery behind me, no pun intended, and veteran of multiple orthopedic evaluations, MRI’s, EMG’s and a set of unimpressive orthotics produced and recommended by a «distinguished» suburban podiatrist surgeon that now serve as a door wedge. Suffice to say I showed up on Dr. Frank’s door beaten and tattered, with low expectations other than to satisfy the friendly general practitioner who referred me out of sympathy for my plight, diminished lifestyle and collateral state of mind. Little did I expect that he was sending me to Oz to meet a genuine wizard with a gentlemanly manner, who spent hours obsessing over my feet, gate and body mechanics, ruminating over a diagnosis and postulating a treatment plan that resulted in two literally warm and fuzzy inserts that wrap my feet like bubble wrap diminishing both the acute and the chronic conditions that landed me there, and making the impossible seem less so. Several trips back and forth now, a tweak here and an adjustment there and I am fresh in from a morning run along a Newport beach that seemed unlikely if not impossible just a few short months ago, and after I had surrendered all hope that such was even possible. One piece of crucial advice I would offer is to follow his instructions to the letter, ‘no bare feet means no bare feet’ and sound footwear means nix hiking in flip flops. Wearing your orthotic ‘all of the time’ means just that. While my basketball game is no longer above the rim, not that it ever was, and my contact and competitive days are well behind, Dr. Frank has managed to resurrect the sagging quality of life of this fifty-​eight year old male with one painful as it gets Morton’s neuroma, right sided ortheo-​arthritis, and something called Hallux Limitus, while compensating for one of my legs (who knew?) being considerably shorter than the other! It would not I think be unfair to characterize me as a «difficult patient,» worn down by too many practitioners with bigger egos and questionable skills, I have admittedly become somewhat jaded, protective of my body and its parts in a way that sometimes conflicts with the «linear path» most physicians covet, even when your problems are frustratingly asymmetrical. All the more reason I think to consider the validity of these comments. Dr. Frank seems to embrace such challenges, which is both surprising and refreshing! The simple truth is that while Dr. Frank’s office is unremarkable, part exam room, community center and part Geppetto’s workshop, his old school office and manner while eccentric, are effective, his attention seemingly consumed by activities that swirl around him constantly, his staff good naturedly reassuring and reminding folks that «comfort» not «vanity» is the goal. While he is staunch in his resistance to surgical remedy, and none to keen on injection therapy of whatever kind either, after forty-​some years of a ‘seen it all career,’ Dr. Santopietro has come by an awareness and understanding of all things feet and body mechanical that is unique in my experience, that anyone in need and serious about maintaining or improving their quality of life, should not ignore.

Being an active person who exercises daily, the pain in my feet would no longer allow any type of workouts. After visiting several local doctors and going for therapy and using topical ointment with no success, Dr Santopietro was recommended. His exam was was more thorough than I’ve ever had for my feet. He made me a new pair of orthotics and heel lifts, gave me tips on walking differently and made my feet feel better than I have felt in many months.
If it’s a first visit plan on being there for hours, it’s worth it. The doctor want to be sure you leave better than you came in.

Miracles! After years of pain, surgery and thousands of dollars wasted on useless inserts and special shoes (Good Feet Store is the worst of all) a friend sent me to Frank and in one visit he had me walking again. I could barely hobble when I arrived at my first visit. I chose to climb four flights instead of the elevator at my second visit. He does special inserts for sneakers and also dress shoes so women can wear attractive shoes again. Frank and his team are as nice as can be and his prices for custom inserts are less than half of the useless standard inserts from Good Feet Store. Plus he accepts health insurance for the visits. Your foot surgeon won’t tell you about Frank because Frank solves the problem without surgery. Don’t waste your time and money anywhere else. Go see Frank now and ick up your heels again!

I can’t believe this guy only had 3.5 stars.
I’ve been in pain since I was a kid. I’m bow legged
He set me up with custom orthotics and I haven’t had pain since. First time in my 38 years I’ve gone to bed without pain in my ankles and knees.
I wish I met him sooner. He literally write the book on orthotics and correcting people’s walk.
He has a patent on his process. Trust me I wish I didn’t wait. Walking without pain is outstanding. PM me if you have any questions.

A dated and forgetful office! Dr Santopietro never remembered why I was his patient, which procedures I had done, and even which foot was injured. Very frustrating.

Dr. Santopietro’s care has drastically improved the comfort of my feet. My feet are very flat which has caused me years of foot/​knee/​back pain. I previously tried the good feet store which i found overpriced and not particularly helpful. Now, with the custom made orthodics from the Santopietro I don’t really have to think about my feet anymore, and that is wonderful.

I cannot say enough positive things about Dr. Santopietro and his staff. I initially went in for an ingrown nail that I needed addressed speedily since I have a newborn. Although Dr. S was fully booked the day I called, they squeezed me in.
While I was there, Dr. S examined my feet and my orthotics and noted that they weren’t really doing their best for me. There was no hard sell; but his demonstration of what a proper orthotic should be doing for my foot positioning convinced me quickly that I should try his orthotics. (Note: I am a runner with problem feet; had bunionectomy and got my orthotics in Philadelphia from one of the most reputable sports medicine orthopedic surgical practices in the country. I am always searching for anything that will make my feet feel better!).
I scheduled an appointment for the following week and had my orthotics made while I waited. I was impressed with the amount of time Dr. S spent taking measurements. In the 20 years that I have gotten orthotics, no doc has ever spent so much time examining me; it’s been more about taking pics of my feet and having lab make orthotics from those impressions. After the orthotics were made, Dr. S and his assistant spent considerable time to make sure they were fitted properly; having me walk around and making minor adjustments.
I was directed to try them for a week and come back for a follow up. I only needed a few tweaks at the follow up appointment and even still that week of running and walking was one of my most blissful in recent memory.
Erring on the side of caution, they scheduled another appt with me for a mos later to make sure all ok — which I expect it will be.
I made my husband promise me that if/​when we move from Boston, we venture back here every 2 years so that I can get new orthotics from Dr. S. If you have pain in your feet and/​or need orthotics, you would be remiss not to see Dr. S!

I saw Dr. Santopietro for ongoing ankle swelling and pain that had been going on for 6 months. I waited 20 – 30 min to get in to see him, which was fine, however while I was in the exam room, he kept the door open and came walked in and out several times to: (i) check on the orthotics that his assistant was making for another patient (presumabley) and (ii) to work out a shoe deal with Marathon Sports (he answered his cell in the middle of the appointment and I could hear him talking on the phone in the next room).
That being said, it didn’t really bother me all that much, but I could see how it might really bother some people. When I finally got his attention he did take a fair amount of time to get my history and to look at my gait. He determined that my existing custom-​fit orthotics were improper and that his orthotics would be a better fit for me. Seeking any treatment other than surgery, I bought the orthotics and they didn’t help at all. I ended up getting surgery about 2 months later. I can’t blame the guy for trying to help me, but I wasn’t impressed with the quality of the orthotics (non-​durable, made out of what looks like foam). Post-​surgery I am back to my old orthotics (durable plastic) and feeling great. In spite of my experience, I do believe the doctor runs a good practice and his conservative treatment using orthotics would be very helpful, especially to younger athletes.