Everything You Need to Know
32 questions about podiatric care in Columbus, Ohio, reviewed by Dr. Golan.
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Clinical review and maintenance
This content is maintained by Vertex Podiatry and reviewed by Dr. Guy Golan, DPM. It is educational information, not a diagnosis or a guarantee of results. Availability, coverage, and insurance requirements can change; confirm details with the office and your insurer.
About Dr. Golan & Vertex Podiatry
What is a podiatrist, and how is a DPM different from an MD?
A podiatrist (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, DPM) is a physician trained in the medical and surgical care of the foot and ankle. DPM and MD are different professional degree paths, and training and scope of practice can vary by state and individual credentials. Dr. Golan focuses his practice on foot and ankle medicine and surgery. An evaluation can help determine whether podiatric care is appropriate for your condition.
Do you treat children and teenagers?
Yes. Dr. Golan provides pediatric foot care for children and adolescents. Common pediatric concerns include in-toeing/out-toeing gait patterns, Sever's disease (heel pain in growing children), flatfoot, plantar warts, ingrown toenails, and sports-related foot and ankle injuries. An early evaluation may help identify concerns and discuss appropriate monitoring or treatment.
Do you speak Spanish?
Yes. Dr. Golan speaks Spanish and is able to communicate with Spanish-speaking patients throughout their visit. Patient education, treatment discussions, and follow-up instructions can be provided in Spanish when requested. We aim to make communication clear and support informed decisions.
Where is Vertex Podiatry located?
Our office is located at 1500 W 3rd Ave, Suite 120, Grandview Heights, Ohio 43212 - in the Grandview area of Columbus, easily accessible from I-315, SR-315, and US-33. We serve patients from across the Columbus metro area including Upper Arlington, Dublin, Hilliard, Westerville, Worthington, Clintonville, Bexley, and beyond. Free parking is available.
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, we are accepting new patients. We offer online scheduling through our patient portal and direct phone scheduling at (614) 328-5561. Appointment availability varies, especially for urgent concerns. Insurance participation also changes, so please call our office or your insurer to confirm current network status. We welcome patients who are paying directly as well.
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can schedule online through our patient portal at any time - the button on our website takes you directly there. You can also call our office at (614) 328-5561 during business hours. For urgent concerns - sudden severe pain, swelling, an injury, or a wound that is not healing - call the office so the team can discuss the safest next step and current availability. Seek emergency care for a life-threatening emergency.
Do you offer same-day appointments?
Same-day appointments may be available for urgent issues such as sudden pain, suspected fractures, infected ingrown toenails, acute gout attacks, wounds, or ankle injuries, but availability changes. Call us at (614) 328-5561 to discuss the concern and the appointments currently available. If we cannot provide the needed care, we can advise you about an appropriate next step.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring: your insurance card and a valid photo ID; a list of current medications (including supplements); any prior imaging (X-rays, MRI, ultrasound reports); a list of previous treatments you've tried for your foot problem; comfortable socks; and shoes that you wear regularly. Wearing or bringing multiple pairs of shoes - including work shoes and athletic shoes - can be very helpful for Dr. Golan's biomechanical evaluation.
How long is a typical first appointment?
A new patient appointment is often planned for about 45-60 minutes, but the actual time depends on your concerns and the evaluation needed. Dr. Golan may take a medical history, perform a clinical and biomechanical examination, obtain in-office imaging when indicated, and discuss treatment options. The team will work to give you a clear understanding of your condition and choices.
Do you offer telehealth appointments?
Yes, we offer telehealth consultations for appropriate cases, including some follow-up visits, medication questions, results reviews, and initial discussions. Telehealth may be convenient for patients in communities such as Delaware, Pickerington, or Lewis Center. An in-person examination or imaging may still be needed for a diagnosis or procedure.
What imaging is available in-office?
Vertex Podiatry offers on-site diagnostic imaging, including digital weight-bearing X-ray and diagnostic ultrasound. Depending on the concern, these studies may help evaluate foot and ankle bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, neuromas, or bursae, and ultrasound may be used to guide an injection. MRI and CT scans are arranged externally when needed.
What foot and ankle conditions do you treat?
Dr. Golan evaluates and treats many foot and ankle conditions, including plantar fasciitis and heel pain, bunions (hallux valgus), hammertoes, ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections, plantar warts, Morton's neuroma, Achilles tendinitis and rupture, ankle sprains and instability, stress fractures, flat feet and PTTD, gout, diabetic foot and wound concerns, peripheral neuropathy, corns and calluses, arthritis, venous insufficiency ulcers, and pediatric foot conditions. If your concern is not listed, call us to discuss whether an evaluation is appropriate.
What is the most common cause of heel pain?
Plantar fasciitis is one common cause of heel pain. It involves irritation or degeneration of the plantar fascia, the band of connective tissue along the bottom of the foot. A common pattern is sharp pain with the first steps in the morning that may ease after a few minutes. Heel spurs, Achilles tendinopathy, stress fractures, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and fat pad atrophy are other possible causes, so an evaluation is important before choosing treatment.
Do you treat sports injuries and running-related foot problems?
Yes. We see runners, youth athletes, adult recreational athletes, and competitive athletes. Common sports-related concerns include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, stress fractures, ankle sprains and instability, peroneal tendon injuries, sesamoiditis, turf toe, and shin splints. The evaluation and treatment plan are tailored to the injury, activity, and safety considerations. Options may include activity changes, physical therapy recommendations, orthotics, or selected treatments such as shockwave or laser therapy.
I have diabetes. Do I really need to see a podiatrist?
Many people with diabetes benefit from regular foot checks, but the timing should be individualized with your diabetes care team and podiatrist. Diabetes can affect sensation and circulation, which may increase the risk of unnoticed injuries, ulcers, and infections. A foot evaluation can look for skin changes, calluses, wounds, and other concerns and help you understand when to seek care. Contact a clinician promptly for a new wound, color change, swelling, drainage, or other concerning symptom.
Can a bunion be fixed without surgery?
Non-surgical care cannot usually reverse the structural alignment of an established bunion, although it may help manage symptoms. Options can include roomier footwear, orthotics, toe spacers, activity changes, or exercises. Surgery may be considered when pain or functional limitations persist, and the appropriate approach depends on the deformity and the patient. Recovery and weight-bearing instructions vary by procedure and individual healing.
What causes a Morton's neuroma?
Morton's neuroma is a thickening or irritation of nerve tissue between the metatarsal bones, often between the third and fourth toes. Contributing factors can include narrow or high-heeled footwear, forefoot deformities such as bunions or hammertoes, or repetitive impact. Symptoms may include burning or electric pain in the ball of the foot or a sensation of standing on a pebble. Treatment depends on the evaluation and may range from footwear changes and orthotics to injections or surgery.
What is Achilles tendinitis and how is it treated?
Achilles tendinitis or tendinopathy involves irritation or degeneration of the Achilles tendon, the cord connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. It can cause pain and stiffness along the back of the ankle, especially in the morning or after rest. Symptoms and examination findings guide treatment, which may include activity modification, exercises, orthotics, or selected therapies such as shockwave or laser treatment. Severe injuries or ruptures may require surgical evaluation.
What treatments does Vertex Podiatry offer?
We offer conservative and surgical treatment options that may include custom orthotics, Class IV REMY laser therapy, radial shockwave therapy, cortisone injections, amniotic membrane and platelet-rich injections, fat pad augmentation injections, Onyfix nail correction, laser fungal nail treatment, laser wart removal, in-office digital X-ray and diagnostic ultrasound, selected minimally invasive foot surgery, nail procedures such as matrixectomy, and wound care including dressings and off-loading systems. Recommendations depend on the diagnosis, medical history, and goals.
What is shockwave therapy, and does it hurt?
Radial shockwave therapy (RSWT) uses acoustic pressure waves and may be considered for some tendon and soft-tissue conditions, including chronic plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinopathy. Evidence and expected benefit vary by condition and patient. A session may take about 5-10 minutes. Patients often feel rhythmic tapping or vibration, and discomfort varies. It does not involve an injection, but the clinician will discuss activity and aftercare recommendations.
What is Class IV laser therapy (REMY laser)?
REMY is a Class IV therapeutic laser used in the office for selected foot and ankle conditions. The proposed effects and available evidence vary by condition, and treatment is not a guarantee of pain relief or healing. Sessions may last about 5-10 minutes, and patients commonly describe them as comfortable, but experience varies. The clinician will discuss whether it is appropriate and how many sessions may be considered for your situation.
What is minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for the foot?
Minimally invasive foot surgery uses specialized instruments and, when indicated, fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to perform selected bone, joint, or soft-tissue procedures through small incisions. Incision size, technique, pain, weight-bearing, and recovery depend on the procedure and the patient. During a consultation, Dr. Golan can explain whether this approach is appropriate and what recovery plan may apply.
What are custom orthotics, and how are they different from store-bought insoles?
Custom orthotics are prescription medical devices made from an assessment, mold, or digital scan of your foot. They are designed for the individual's foot mechanics, which may include overpronation, a high arch, uneven weight distribution, or another concern. Over-the-counter insoles provide general cushioning or support and may not match an individual's needs. Orthotics may be recommended as one part of a treatment plan. Insurance coverage varies by plan and medical-necessity criteria, so verify benefits before ordering.
How long is recovery from foot surgery?
Recovery varies by procedure, health history, the treatment plan, and individual healing. Your instructions may address wound care, activity, weight-bearing, footwear, and follow-up. Do not use a general timeline from the internet to plan your recovery. Dr. Golan will discuss procedure-specific expectations, possible risks, and signs that require a call or urgent evaluation during your consultation.
Do you perform surgery in-office or at a hospital/surgery center?
The setting depends on the procedure, anesthesia needs, medical history, and safety considerations. Some minor procedures may be performed in the office under local anesthesia. More complex procedures or those requiring general anesthesia or observation may take place at an appropriate surgery center or hospital. Dr. Golan will discuss the recommended setting for your specific procedure.
What insurance plans do you accept?
Insurance participation changes by plan and network. Call Vertex Podiatry at (614) 328-5561 or call your insurer to verify current participation before your appointment. Even when a practice is in-network, benefits, deductibles, authorizations, and patient responsibility vary. Our staff can help request a benefits check, but your insurer makes the final coverage determination.
Do you accept Medicare?
We can check whether Medicare Part B applies to your visit, but coverage depends on the service, medical necessity, Medicare rules, and any other plan you have. Some foot and ankle services may be covered while others, including certain orthotics, elective services, or supplies, may have different requirements or may not be covered. Confirm coverage and expected patient responsibility with Medicare or your plan before treatment.
Do you accept Ohio Medicaid?
We review Ohio Medicaid plans individually. Because managed care networks can change, call us at (614) 328-5561 and our staff will confirm whether your specific plan is active before your appointment.
What if I don't have insurance?
We welcome self-pay patients and can discuss current self-pay pricing before care. Payment options, estimates, and any payment plans depend on the service. Ask the office for a written estimate and whether imaging, procedures, supplies, or follow-up visits are billed separately.
Does insurance cover custom orthotics?
Some insurance plans may cover custom orthotics when they are medically necessary for a documented condition, but requirements differ. A plan may require a qualifying diagnosis, documentation, prior authorization, or specific equipment criteria, and some plans exclude orthotics. Ask the office and your insurer what documentation and expected out-of-pocket cost apply before ordering.
Does insurance cover bunion surgery?
Bunion surgery may be covered when it is medically necessary, but coverage depends on the diagnosis, symptoms, insurer rules, authorization requirements, and the specific plan. Cosmetic exclusions and documentation requirements may apply. Ask the office and your insurer about required records, authorization, benefits, and expected patient responsibility before scheduling a procedure.
What is the cost of a first visit?
The cost of a new patient visit depends on your insurance, benefits, and the complexity of your evaluation. Copays, coinsurance, deductibles, and self-pay rates vary, and in-office imaging, procedures, or lab work may be billed separately. Call (614) 328-5561 for current self-pay rates and ask the office or your insurer about expected costs before proceeding.
Ready for a Real Evaluation?
Online answers are a starting point. An evaluation with Dr. Golan helps establish a diagnosis and clear treatment options; ask about current appointment availability.
1500 W 3rd Ave Suite 120, Grandview Heights, OH · Bilingual EN/ES