Our Dedicated Foot and Ankle Doctors Discuss Choosing the Right Texas Podiatrist for Your Specific Needs
Podiatry, also called podiatric medicine and surgery, is a branch of medicine for the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle disorders, injuries, deformities, and diseases. Because there are over 300 foot conditions that any one person can develop in their lifetime, choosing a podiatrist is especially important to help keep you moving on healthy feet. 
When you have a problem with your feet or ankles, you want to find the right podiatrist for your specific needs, as well as someone you relate to. The skilled and knowledgeable podiatrists at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists understand that you may be meeting a podiatrist for the first time, feel nervous, and/or are in a lot of pain and need immediate help. You may not yet know if we will be the right fit for you. Here, we discuss the characteristics to look for in a podiatrist so you receive the best possible diagnosis and treatment.
Has Experience
The first quality you should look for in a podiatrist is experience. Your doctor should have extensive knowledge of foot and ankle anatomy, diseases, deformities, and conditions and be able to treat them. The more experience your podiatrist has, the more likely they are to have seen and treated your condition before.
The podiatrists at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists welcome your questions about our background, credentials, and certifications because we know you want someone who is a qualified doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) and has the experience necessary to accurately diagnose your condition and get your feet and ankles moving in the right direction.
Has Positive Communication Skills
Any good podiatrist should provide you with a clear diagnosis of your foot or ankle condition and an explanation of your treatment options. You shouldn’t be left wondering why you’re in pain or if your doctor knows how to help you. When any medical professional is communicating with you, their approach should be respectful and collaborative. They should value the information you can share with them and work with you to create an individualized plan of care that will work for you. They should make time during appointments to answer your questions and also provide you with resources that you can reference later, such as:
Follows up With Patients
Your doctor should be scheduling regular follow-up appointments, especially if you have an on-going condition. They should also encourage you to come back if an issue that seems to be resolved recurs in the future. Regardless of your specific issues, a good podiatrist will regularly follow up with their patients to check on their progress. It’s also important that they listen to any concerns you have and spend time discussing adjustments to your treatment if needed.
Shows Humility
A good doctor recognizes that their patients can feel confused and uncertain about a diagnosis and sometimes want a second opinion. At Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists, we can provide you with a second opinion after you have seen a different doctor. If you would like to talk to another doctor to confirm the diagnoses and advice we have given you, we encourage you to do so.
Puts You at Ease With a Positive Bedside Manner
Talking about health issues can be scary and sometimes embarrassing. Your podiatrist should put you at ease so you aren’t afraid to talk about your specific foot or ankle condition and ask as many questions as necessary. We have numerous people available on staff, including Dr. Chica, who speak Spanish and are ready to assist patients who are more comfortable conversing in Spanish.
Makes Scheduling an Appointment Convenient
Your doctor should make it easy for you to get an appointment, offering online scheduling and telemedicine whenever appropriate. At Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists, we offer these options and do whatever else we can to make your experience easier.
Instills Confidence
When you talk to your doctor, their responses to your concerns and the information they provide should make you feel confident that they know how to help you with your health needs. This may be demonstrated by their range of knowledge, which should include traditional approaches to treating your medical issue, and their willingness to use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques. Your podiatrist should demonstrate a passion for being a knowledgeable practitioner. At Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists, our doctors seek out opportunities to expand their expertise.
Dr. Thomajan is:
- Board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery
- Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine
- A Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
- A Fellow of the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons
These credentials mean that not only does Dr. Thomajan meet the state criteria of being licensed to practice, but he has also undergone rigorous testing and peer evaluation and is considered especially knowledgeable.
Dr. Chica has extensive experience in sports medicine, previously worked in a pediatric trauma center managing pediatric foot needs, and has completed comprehensive and advanced training for reconstructive surgery and trauma of the foot and ankle with nationally renowned foot and ankle specialists.
Has a Positive Reputation
When you ask other people in the community about providers, you want to select one who has been recognized for providing excellent care to their patients. Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists is the recipient of numerous awards, including the following:
- Austin Business Hall of Fame, after earning Best Overall Foot and Ankle Surgeons for ten consecutive years.
- Small Business Excellence Award
- Austin Monthly’s Top Doctors in 2022, 2023, and 2024
- Dr. Thomajan was selected as the best podiatrist in the Senior Resource Guide’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards. Additionally, we were featured in the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery, Austin Monthly, and Foot & Ankle Specialist publications.
We are also highly rated by our customers on Yelp.
