Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Common Foot & Ankle Questions
Find general information about appointments, insurance, services, and foot and ankle conditions evaluated by our practice.
About the Practice
Learn more about our office and how we can help.
Where are you located?
Our office is at 1576 Lomaland Drive, El Paso, TX 79935. Free parking is available directly in front of the building, and there is a map on our home page. Call (915) 995-1650 if you need help with directions.
Where can I park?
Free parking is available directly in front of the building. Accessible parking spaces are located near the entrance.
How long is the wait?
We work to see patients as close to their scheduled appointment time as possible. Wait times can vary. Call (915) 995-1650 for the most current estimate.
What is your phone number?
You can reach our office at (915) 995-1650.
I have a foot or ankle emergency. What should I do?
If this is a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Do not wait.
For an urgent foot or ankle problem during office hours, call (915) 995-1650.
Do you see children?
Yes. We see patients of all ages, including children. Call (915) 995-1650 to schedule an appointment.
Tell me about the practice.
We are a podiatry practice in El Paso led by Elizabeth Fernandez, DPM. We evaluate and treat foot and ankle conditions in patients of all ages. Call (915) 995-1650 for more information.
Appointments
Information about scheduling and preparing for your visit.
What should I bring as a new patient?
Welcome to our office. Please bring your insurance card, a photo ID, a current medication list, and any relevant medical records or X-rays. New patient forms are available on the Patient Forms page. Call (915) 995-1650 with any questions.
How do I schedule an appointment?
To schedule an appointment, call us at (915) 995-1650.
Hours
Find our regular office hours and availability.
What are your office hours?
We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Our office is closed on select holidays. Call (915) 995-1650, and we will help you find an available appointment.
Insurance & Billing
General information about insurance, billing, and visit costs.
How much will my visit cost?
The cost depends on the services provided and your insurance coverage. Self-pay pricing is also available. Call (915) 995-1650 for an estimate. The final amount may differ if additional services are needed.
Do you accept my insurance?
We accept many major insurance plans and also welcome self-pay patients. Coverage will vary by your medical insurance. Call (915) 995-1650 so our staff can help verify your benefits before your visit. Verification does not guarantee payment by your insurance company.
Services
Answers about services provided by our podiatry practice.
Do you make custom orthotics?
Yes. The practice provides custom foot supports, also called orthotics, and selected ready-made supports. Dr. Fernandez first evaluates the foot problem to determine whether a support is relevant and, if so, explains the available option.
Do you perform foot and ankle surgery?
Yes. Dr. Fernandez performs foot and ankle surgery when an examination shows that surgery should be considered. The type of procedure, expected recovery, benefits, and risks depend on the individual problem and are discussed only after evaluation.
Do you offer X-rays in the office?
Yes. Digital foot and ankle X-rays are available in the office. Dr. Fernandez decides whether an X-ray may be useful based on the concern and examination, and the images can be reviewed as part of the visit.
What services do you provide?
The practice evaluates a wide range of foot and ankle concerns in children and adults, including pain, injuries, bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, nail and skin changes, diabetes-related foot problems, wounds, and concerns that may require surgery. In-office X-rays and circulation testing are also available when the doctor determines they may be useful.
In-Office Testing
Learn about diagnostic testing available in our office.
What diagnostic technology do you have in the office?
Our office uses two primary in-office diagnostic systems for foot and ankle evaluation: the 20/20 Imaging PXS-710D high-frequency podiatry X-ray system and the Smart-ABI vascular assessment system. The X-ray system produces radiographic images of the foot and ankle when imaging is clinically indicated. Smart-ABI provides noninvasive lower-extremity arterial measurements, including ankle-brachial index (ABI) values and pulse volume recording (PVR) waveforms. Results from either study require clinician interpretation in the context of the clinical examination.
What is the difference between X-ray and Smart-LEDA+?
They provide different kinds of information. A foot or ankle X-ray creates images of bones and joints. Smart-LEDA+ provides vascular measurements and sudomotor information that can help the doctor evaluate circulation and certain autonomic nerve concerns. Dr. Fernandez decides which test, if any, may help based on the examination.
What does TBI mean?
TBI stands for toe-brachial index. It compares pressure measured at the toe with pressure measured at the arm. TBI can provide additional information about smaller blood vessels and is interpreted together with the other circulation measurements and examination.
What happens during a Smart-ABI study?
During a Smart-ABI study, blood pressure cuffs are positioned on the arms and lower extremities. The system obtains pressure measurements and pulse volume data, then generates ABI values and PVR waveforms for clinician review. The study is noninvasive. The exact measurement sequence can vary according to the clinical protocol used by the practice.
Why does a podiatrist evaluate arterial circulation?
Arterial circulation is clinically relevant to foot and ankle health because reduced lower-extremity perfusion can affect tissue viability, wound healing, and the interpretation of lower-extremity symptoms or examination findings. A podiatrist may include vascular assessment when circulation is clinically relevant, such as in the setting of diabetes, a history of smoking, vascular risk factors, wounds, or findings that raise concern for impaired arterial perfusion. Whether diagnostic vascular testing is appropriate for an individual patient requires an in-person clinical evaluation.
What is sudomotor testing?
Sudomotor testing provides information about the autonomic nerves involved in sweat-gland function. Smart-LEDA+ includes sudomotor testing as an additional tool when peripheral autonomic neuropathy is a concern. The result is interpreted with the rest of the clinical evaluation.
What is peripheral artery disease (PAD)?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects blood flow through the arteries, most often in the legs. ABI, TBI, and PVR measurements can provide information that contributes to a PAD evaluation. No single Smart-LEDA+ measurement establishes a PAD diagnosis by itself.
What happens during Smart-LEDA+ testing?
The exact test depends on what the doctor needs to evaluate. Vascular testing may use blood pressure cuffs and toe measurements, while sudomotor testing provides additional information about autonomic nerve function. Results are not immediate. Dr. Fernandez reviews the Smart-LEDA+ results after testing, and our staff will contact you after her review is complete. Please allow a few business days for review and notification.
When will I receive my Smart-LEDA+ or ABI results?
Results are not immediate. Dr. Fernandez reviews the Smart-LEDA+ test results before they are shared. Once her review is complete, our staff will contact you with an update. Please allow a few business days for review and notification.
What X-ray system do you use?
The practice uses the 20/20 Imaging PXS-710D digital X-ray system for foot and ankle images. A trained team member positions the foot or ankle for the picture, and the doctor reviews the images together with the examination.
What is Smart-LEDA+?
Smart-LEDA+ is the model used in our office for vascular and sudomotor testing. It can provide ankle-brachial index (ABI), toe-brachial index (TBI), pulse volume recording (PVR), microvascular, and sudomotor information. The doctor interprets those findings with the health history and examination.
What does ABI mean?
ABI stands for ankle-brachial index. It is a comparison between blood pressure measured near the ankle and blood pressure measured in the arm. It gives the doctor one piece of information about circulation and is interpreted together with the examination.
What is PVR?
PVR means pulse volume recording. It records how the pulse changes blood volume in the leg and gives the doctor additional information about circulation. It is one part of a circulation evaluation and cannot by itself tell what condition a person has.
What is a PVR waveform?
Pulse volume recording (PVR) is a noninvasive plethysmographic measurement that records changes in limb volume produced by arterial pulsations. The contour and amplitude of the waveform provide additional information about arterial blood flow. PVR waveforms are interpreted together with ABI measurements and the clinical examination rather than as a stand-alone diagnosis.
Why would a foot doctor check circulation?
Blood flow can affect the skin, tissues, and healing in the feet. When a patient’s history or examination makes circulation relevant, the doctor may use circulation testing to gather more information. The examination determines whether that testing is useful for an individual patient.
What technology do you have in the office?
The office has digital foot and ankle X-rays and the Smart-LEDA+ system. X-rays create images of bones and joints. Smart-LEDA+ can provide ABI, TBI, PVR, microvascular, and sudomotor information when Dr. Fernandez determines that circulation or autonomic nerve testing may be useful.
Conditions We Treat
Browse common foot and ankle concerns evaluated in our office.
The information below explains, in plain language, some foot and ankle problems we see in our office. Different problems can cause similar symptoms, so this information cannot tell you which condition you have. The doctor can review your history, examine the foot or ankle, and decide whether testing would add useful information.
Do you treat Achilles Tendon Pain?
Yes. The Achilles tendon is the strong cord that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Repeated stress, a sudden change in activity, or changes over time can make the tendon painful or thickened. Pain may occur near the heel or higher along the tendon.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Sudden severe pain or a sensation of a pop in the back of the ankle
- Difficulty pushing off the foot or walking normally
- Persistent pain, swelling, or thickening of the tendon
Do you treat Ball of Foot Pain (Metatarsalgia)?
Yes. Metatarsalgia is a general term for pain in the ball of the foot, usually under the bones behind the toes. It describes where the pain is felt rather than pointing to one specific disease. Pressure, joint problems, stress injuries, nerve irritation, or changes in foot shape can all cause pain in this area.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Pain that persists or changes the way you walk
- Swelling or bruising in the forefoot
- Numbness, tingling, or burning
- Pain focused over a bone after increased activity
Do you treat Bunions?
Yes. A bunion is a change in the shape and alignment of the joint at the base of the big toe. The joint may become more prominent and the big toe may angle toward the other toes. Symptoms and the amount of joint change vary from person to person.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Pain that limits walking or normal activities
- Increasing difficulty with shoes because of the joint shape
- A toe position that appears to be changing over time
Do you treat Diabetes-Related Foot Problems?
Yes. Diabetes can affect sensation in the feet, circulation, skin, nails, and would healing. Reduced sensation can make an injury harder to notice, while circulation problems can make healing more difficult. Regular professional evaluation can identify changes that may not be obvious to the patient.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Any new wound, drainage, redness, swelling, or skin breakdown
- A change in color or temperature of the foot
- New numbness, weakness, or loss of sensation
- A nail or skin problem that is becoming painful or difficult to manage
Do you treat Flat Feet?
Yes. Flat feet mean the arch of the foot appears low or touches the ground while standing. Some people have flat feet without pain, while others develop fatigue, discomfort, or changes in walking. An examination helps determine whether the foot shape is flexible, whether it is changing, and whether it is related to the symptoms.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Pain or fatigue that interferes with activity
- A foot that appears to be changing shape
- New swelling or weakness around the ankle
- Flat feet associated with frequent falls or walking difficulty in a child
Do you treat Foot & Ankle Arthritis?
Yes. Arthritis means that a joint has become damaged or inflamed, which can lead to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced motion. In the foot and ankle, arthritis may develop from wear over time, an old injury, or an inflammatory disease. The symptoms depend on which joint is affected.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Joint pain or stiffness that limits daily activity
- Repeated swelling or loss of movement
- Pain that follows an old fracture or major joint injury
- A joint that appears to be changing shape
Do you treat Foot & Ankle Fractures?
Yes. A fracture is a break or crack in a bone. Some happen suddenly after a fall, twist, or direct injury, while stress fractures develop gradually from repeated loading. A person may still be able to walk with some fractures, so an examination and X-rays or tests may be needed to confirm the injury.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Inability to bear weight after an injury
- Visible deformity, marked swelling, or severe bruising
- An open wound near a suspected fracture
- Persistent focal bone pain with activity
Do you treat Fungal Toenails?
Yes. A fungal toenail infection can make a nail become thick, discolored, brittle, crumbly, or distorted. Nail trauma and several other nail conditions can look similar, so the appearance of the nail alone does not always confirm a fungal infection.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Nail changes that are painful, worsening, or spreading to other nails
- Difficulty trimming a thick or distorted nail
- Uncertainty about whether the change is fungal, traumatic, or another nail condition
- Nail changes in a person with diabetes or poor circulation
Do you treat Heel Pain?
Yes. Heel pain describes a symptom and can have more than one cause. It can come from the tissue under the heel, the Achilles tendon, the bone, joints, nerves, or other structures. The location and pattern of the pain help guide the examination.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Heel pain that continues or limits walking
- Pain after a fall, impact, or other injury
- Swelling, redness, numbness, or a wound near the heel
Do you treat Ingrown Toenails?
Yes. An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of a nail grows into the adjacent skin, which can become painful, red, swollen, or infected. Recurrent cases may require a medical evaluation to identify the underlying cause.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Increasing redness, swelling, drainage, or pain
- A problem that keeps returning
- Any nail problem in a person with diabetes, poor circulation, or reduced sensation in the feet
Do you treat Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)?
Yes. Plantar fasciitis is irritation of the strong band of tissue that runs from the heel toward the toes along the bottom of the foot. It is one common cause of heel pain, especially when pain is noticed after rest or with activity. Other problems can cause similar heel pain, so an examination is needed to determine the cause.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Heel pain that continues or interferes with walking
- Pain after an injury or a sudden change in activity
- Swelling, numbness, or other symptoms along with heel pain
Do you treat Plantar Warts?
Yes. Plantar warts are rough skin growths caused by a common virus, and usually develop on the bottom of the foot. Pressure from standing and walking can push the wart inward and make it look different from warts elsewhere on the body. Corns and calluses can sometimes look similar.
When to Request an Evaluation
- A painful or enlarging growth
- Bleeding or changes in the appearance of the area
- Uncertainty about whether the spot is a wart, callus, or another skin condition
- A suspicious skin growth in a person with diabetes or reduced circulation
Do you treat Athlete's Foot?
Yes. Athlete's foot is a common fungal skin infection that often affects the spaces between the toes or the bottom of the foot. It can cause itching, burning, peeling, cracking, or redness. Other skin conditions can look similar, so persistent or unclear changes may need an medical examination.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Skin changes that are spreading, painful, draining, or not improving
- Uncertainty about whether the problem is fungal or another skin condition
- Any concerning skin change in a person with diabetes or reduced circulation
Do you treat Corns & Calluses?
Yes. Corns and calluses are thickened areas of skin that develop where the foot experiences repeated pressure or rubbing. They can form over a prominent joint, under a high pressure area, or where a shoe repeatedly contacts the skin. An examination can help identify what is creating the pressure.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Painful or repeatedly returning thick skin
- Redness, drainage, or skin breakdown
- Uncertainty about whether the area is a callus, corn, wart, or another skin problem
- Any concerning pressure area in a person with diabetes or reduced sensation
Do you treat Hammertoe?
Yes. A hammertoe is a toe that remains bent at one or more joints instead of lying flat. The bent position can create pressure against shoes and may become more rigid over time. Some people notice pain, corns, or difficulty finding comfortable shoes.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Pain or skin irritation caused by the toe position
- A toe that is becoming more rigid
- A sore or wound over the bent area
- Increasing difficulty walking or wearing shoes
Do you treat Morton's Neuroma (Nerve Pain in the Ball of the Foot)?
Yes. Morton's neuroma is irritation and thickening around a small nerve in the ball of the foot, most often between the third and fourth toes. It can cause burning pain, tingling, numbness, or the sensation that something is under the foot. Other forefoot problems can cause similar symptoms.
When to Request an Evaluation
- Persistent burning, tingling, or numbness
- Pain that changes the way you walk or limits activity
- Symptoms that are becoming more frequent or severe
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Questions about your visit?
Our team can help with questions about appointments, insurance, services, and what to expect during your visit.