EXPERT
Dr. Fred Birnbaum, DPM
Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist)
Dr. Fred Birnbaum is a podiatrist practicing in Bensalem, PA. Dr. Birnbaum is a medical doctor specializing in the treatment of the foot , ankle and related parts of the leg. As a podiatrist, Dr. Birnbaum diagnoses and treats conditions of the feet. The feet are key body parts that give a person stability, absorb shock, allow for walking and standing and are necessary for overall well-being. So, the feet need expert care. Podiatrists can specialize in surgery, wound care, sports medicine, diabetic care and pediatrics.
46 years
Experience
Dr. Fred Birnbaum, DPM
- Bensalem, PA
- Pa College Podiatric Medicine
- Accepting new patients
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What causes toenails to be thick and yellow?
Most likely nail fungus. There are now good topical and oral anti-fungals to clear them up.
My right foot has been hurting, what could it be?
Probably plantar fasciitis - Google it! Then call a podiatrist.
How can I treat an ingrown toenail?
Soak in warm salt water for 10 minutes twice a day and apply antibiotic cream. If there is pus or if this doesn’t work, go see a podiatrist. Bathroom surgery, where you try to READ MORE
Soak in warm salt water for 10 minutes twice a day and apply antibiotic cream. If there is pus or if this doesn’t work, go see a podiatrist. Bathroom surgery, where you try to get it out by yourself is foolish and generally makes it much worse.
What are the best creams for toenail fungus?
Creams won’t work on toenail fungus. Only in athlete’s foot- which is a fungal skin infection. Oral Lamisil works but you need blood tests and an Rx. Rx Jublia works but it takes READ MORE
Creams won’t work on toenail fungus. Only in athlete’s foot- which is a fungal skin infection. Oral Lamisil works but you need blood tests and an Rx. Rx Jublia works but it takes a year and the copay is ridiculous even with insurancecoverage. What I give my patients is Formula 3 and Formula 7- it works well, is inexpensive, but is only available through your local podiatrist
I’ve been using them for quite awhile with very good results. They also come with a money-back guarantee - which none of the other treatments do. Laser doesn’t work frequently and is expensive
Vicks, tea tree oil, duct tape and various other Facebook remedies are worthless
I’ve been using them for quite awhile with very good results. They also come with a money-back guarantee - which none of the other treatments do. Laser doesn’t work frequently and is expensive
Vicks, tea tree oil, duct tape and various other Facebook remedies are worthless
What is the best way to treat ingrown toenails?
The best way to treat one at home is to pick up your home phone and make an appointment with your friendly neighborhood podiatrist. What we call “bathroom surgery” for ingrown READ MORE
The best way to treat one at home is to pick up your home phone and make an appointment with your friendly neighborhood podiatrist. What we call “bathroom surgery” for ingrown nails
frequently leads to worse infections and need for extensive work.
frequently leads to worse infections and need for extensive work.
Should I try to remove a toenail?
As long as it’s almost entirely detached from the nail bed and you use very clean instruments and clean it with warm, soapy water and bandage it well after, sure. You may still READ MORE
As long as it’s almost entirely detached from the nail bed and you use very clean instruments and clean it with warm, soapy water and bandage it well after, sure. You may still get an infection after no matter what.
Can you treat heel spurs at home?
First of all, you have some misconceptions. Shoes don’t cause heel spurs. I am assuming your pain is on the bottom of your heel, not behind it, as you can have a spur near your READ MORE
First of all, you have some misconceptions. Shoes don’t cause heel spurs. I am assuming your pain is on the bottom of your heel, not behind it, as you can have a spur near your achilles tendon as well. The spur is NOT painful - many people have heel spurs, but few have pain. The pain comes from plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the structures attached to the heel bone. Treatments at home include: anti-inflammatories like Aleve or Advil in high doses (1000mg/day for Aleve and 2000mg/day for Ibuprofen), an OTC arch support that is bulky in the arch, a higher heel or wedgie footwear, rolling a frozen water bottle on the heel and arch for 10 minutes twice a day and rest, no running, shopping trips, etc. if it’s not better in 2 weeks, seek a podiatrist and get professional help to avoid the problem becoming chronic.
Is there a cure for toenail fungus?
The OTC (over-the-counter) anti-fungals for nails are worthless. So are athlete’s foot creams. There are now several treatments that work well. Oral Lamasil is safe and effective READ MORE
The OTC (over-the-counter) anti-fungals for nails are worthless. So are athlete’s foot creams. There are now several treatments that work well. Oral Lamasil is safe and effective as long as you have a healthy liver. Topically, Formula 7 (only available at podiatrists’ offices) works well and is inexpensive. Kerydin and Jublia also work well, but they are only available through Rx and have rather high copayments. Laser treatments are expensive and have had poor results.
I keep getting bunions--what should I do to prevent them?
It sounds to me that you had a lesser procedure done than necessay. Bunions should rarely recur and if so, only after many years, if the proper procedure done. I am hoping you READ MORE
It sounds to me that you had a lesser procedure done than necessay.
Bunions should rarely recur and if so, only after many years, if the proper procedure done. I am hoping you did not have an in-office, minimal incision surgery done. This is often inadequate. Go see an experienced, hospital trained podiatrist who hopefully can rectify your situation. Good luck.
Bunions should rarely recur and if so, only after many years, if the proper procedure done. I am hoping you did not have an in-office, minimal incision surgery done. This is often inadequate. Go see an experienced, hospital trained podiatrist who hopefully can rectify your situation. Good luck.
Do bunion correctors work?
They don’t work at all. You can’t realign bone with a splinting device. They are useful after surgery to hold healing soft tissues in place while the foot is healing. Do you think READ MORE
They don’t work at all. You can’t realign bone with a splinting device. They are useful after surgery to hold healing soft tissues in place while the foot is healing.
Do you think that if it was as easy as applying a splint for awhile to correct a deformity that thousands of people who get the surgery wouldnt do that first?
Do you think that if it was as easy as applying a splint for awhile to correct a deformity that thousands of people who get the surgery wouldnt do that first?
Are arch supports the only way to treat neuroma?
In my 40 years if practice, I have found that custom footborthoses are only a pirtion of the treatment. Other successful treatments include corticosteroid injections and therapeutic READ MORE
In my 40 years if practice, I have found that custom footborthoses are only a pirtion of the treatment. Other successful treatments include corticosteroid injections and therapeutic neurolysis via a 4% ethanol solution in marcaine for 5-8 treatments. This works mist of the time and the few thst do not respond require excision of the affected nerve.
Can bunions indicate an underlying foot problem?
Yes, there is an underlying imbalance in how the muscles and joints work as a response to the genetic abnormality of bony development. Custom orthotics may alleviate this enough READ MORE
Yes, there is an underlying imbalance in how the muscles and joints work as a response to the genetic abnormality of bony development. Custom orthotics may alleviate this enough to not need reconstructive surgery.
I have a little bone growth just under my toe. Will it have to be treated with surgery?
I take this to mean that it is under your toenail. If that is the case, then surgery is the best option
What shoes should I wear for hammertoe?
Shoes with a higher toe box will be more comfortable, but will not prevent worsening. See a podiatrist for evaluation and they will discuss the treatment for this painful deformity. READ MORE
Shoes with a higher toe box will be more comfortable, but will not prevent worsening. See a podiatrist for evaluation and they will discuss the treatment for this painful deformity.
For a runner, what aftercare do you recommend to ensure feet health?
First, stop running until you get treated for the heel pain. The more you run, the worse the heel pain will get. You may need comprehensive therapy to get healthy again
I have a lot of heel pain in the mornings after going for a walk. What can I do to treat it?
Do only the walking you must do until you get some treatment for the heel pain. In the meantime freeze a water bottle and roll it on your heel arch for 5 minutes at a time to help READ MORE
Do only the walking you must do until you get some treatment for the heel pain. In the meantime freeze a water bottle and roll it on your heel arch for 5 minutes at a time to help the problem
My feet sweat a lot. Is that normal or is it a problem?
It is called hyperhidrosis and is readily treated by a foot specialist
My grandfather's wound is not healing. What should we do?
Get him to a foot specialist. This sounds like a diabetic ulcer.
Is foot amputation the only solution for gangrene?
Unless it is only a superficial gangrene, the portion of the foot that has lost its blood supply and has died most be removed to avoid infection spreading further. Moreover, steps READ MORE
Unless it is only a superficial gangrene, the portion of the foot that has lost its blood supply and has died most be removed to avoid infection spreading further. Moreover, steps must be taken to restore circulation to avoid limb loss
I have flat feet and running is becoming painful. What should I do?
See a podiatrist, you may need custom foot orthotics. In the meantime you could try an OTC version, but custom ones made by a specialist with corrections are far superior to store READ MORE
See a podiatrist, you may need custom foot orthotics.
In the meantime you could try an OTC version, but custom ones made by a specialist with corrections are far superior to store bought ones.
In the meantime you could try an OTC version, but custom ones made by a specialist with corrections are far superior to store bought ones.
