Foot & Ankle Center Of Durham

I am a senior and usually have my toenails clipped at a high-​end salon for $ 10 plus tip. I went to the F&A Center in early June 2015 as the pedicurist had difficulty cutting a couple of my nails with straight edge clippers. I thought they were «pincer» nails since the nail was curling down on the sides instead of flat across the nail bed. At F&A my nails were clipped very short with «nippers» and the ends filed with a small sander-​type electric file. I asked for help with thickened skin under the tips of my nails but the only suggestion was a nail fungus liquid (sold by the clinic); although it can be bought elsewhere, their price was better. Was told that my pedicurist might have better luck just filing the problem nails rather than trying to clip them. After coming home, I found that the front edges of some of my nails were very rough, enough to snag on hose. This visit was expensive and medicare and my insurance paid nothing. I was very impressed by the two ladies in the front office.

I took my elderly father to the Foot & Ankle Center to have his toenails trimmed on 2÷25÷14. We have been there in the past and had relatively good experiences. This time, unfortunately was different. I should mention that my Dad uses a rolling walker and has a previous history of a fractured left hip. We arrived and signed in uneventfully. The office seemed quiet with only one other customer waiting. Within 6 or 7 minutes both people waiting had been called in to the exam rooms. At that point I expected it to take somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes for my Dad to reappear. Once it had been 30 minutes I inquired if there was a problem and was reassured that all was well. It was 55 minutes before he came out. He paid and we left. After getting him situated in the car and as we were leaving the parking lot, my Dad turned to me and said, «that place stinks». I asked him what he meant and he related the following, «when they took me back to the exam room, had me take my shoes and socks off and then left me sitting there alone for over 20 minutes.» (He was wearing a watch) He said he could hear people talking and laughing in the hall. Finally a young woman came in and attended to his feet. She then left and apparently the doctor came in (I don’t know that for certain, my Dad described him as a «well dressed young man») and examined the work the young woman had done and then left my Dad alone. Normally he needs help getting his sock on his left foot and uses a shoe horn to get his shoes on. No one assisted him. No one even asked if he needed assistance. On past visits someone has helped him which is why I had the confidence to let him go back to the exam room without me. This time for some reason was completely different.
A podiatrists office sees a high number of elderly people. For this reason it is extremely important that they are sensitive to the needs and safety of those clients. Having them sit alone for over 20 minutes is not acceptable. If the staff wasn’t ready for him they should not have called him back. He should have been offered help for putting his socks and shoes back on. It should be common sense to offer assistance to an individual who uses a walker for ambulation. If it was offered and he said no, I’d have no complaint, but it wasn’t even offered. We’re fortunate that my Dad did not lose his balance when trying to put his sock on. Fortunately he wasn’t injured, only frustrated. We will be finding another podiatrist.

I was extremely pleased with my recent experience at the Foot & Ankle Center of Durham, which I visited for diagnosis and treatment of persistant and debilitating foot pain from long years of athletics.
The reception staff were the sweetest and friendliest people I have ever met at a medical office; I cannot say enough good things about them. The office was clean and aesthetically pleasing. The entire visit was only 45 minutes from start to finish, but I never felt rushed or short-​changed. After filling out a few forms, my medical history was taken by a very business-​like nurse, and after a short wait I saw Dr. Simmons.
I was impressed that Dr. Simmons took ample time to listen to all of my concerns, and was not quick to jump to a diagnosis. In fact, he seemed less interested in choosing a fancy latin name for my pain, with associated expensive diagnostic tests, and much more interested in simply providing relief. He did not once suggest giving up the sports I love, but instead was focused on allowing me to continue my current lifestyle. In the end, we decided the best course of action was for me to try a $ 10 foot pad. I thought he was being overly optimistic, but was willing to try anything — and holy cow was he right, my foot pain is practically GONE!
In short, Dr. Simmons and staff represent the best of what healthcare should be – efficient and results-​oriented.

The staff here was very friendly and helpful, though the offices themselves were a little low key/​dated/​cheap.
My main complaint was that the podiatrist came into the room and immediately began inspecting my son’s feet, then, wanted to shake hands with both of us when he was done. There didn’t seem to be sinks or a way to keep his hands clean, so it was a little gross. I am used to doctors stepping into a room and washing their hands before getting to work. Especially for a foot doctor, the lack of easy access to water and cleaning seemed unsanitary.
But, as I said, very friendly people.