Frequently asked questions about foot and ankle nerve care

Call 908-215-5953, or book online through Zocdoc. Our office team schedules all appointments and can answer questions about insurance and referrals. Please don’t include medical details when booking online — we’ll discuss them privately at your visit.

• Appointment options

It depends on your insurance plan. Some plans require a referral from your primary care physician before a specialist visit; others don’t. Your insurance carrier can tell you what your plan requires, and our office can help when you call.

Please call our office at 908-215-5953 to inquire about your insurance.

Call 908-215-5953 or fax 908-446-2575. Our referral page has a downloadable referral sheet and a list of the records that help us most. Please don’t send protected health information by regular email.

• Information for referring physicians

Yes. Dr. Ozturk speaks English and Turkish. Let our office know your language preference when you schedule.

People with burning, tingling, numbness or electric-shock pain in the foot, ankle or lower leg; pain in the ball of the foot between the toes; heel pain that hasn’t improved with the usual care for plantar fasciitis; or nerve-type pain that began after an injury or an operation.

An evaluation can also help if you have been told you have neuropathy and want a foot-focused examination and advice on protecting your feet.

We’ll talk through your symptoms and history, examine your feet, ankles and legs — including sensation, strength, circulation, skin and the way you walk — and look at your footwear. Many people leave the first visit with a working diagnosis and a plan; others need further testing first.

• What to expect

Not always. Many nerve problems in the foot can be identified from the history and examination. When more information is needed, X-rays, ultrasound, MRI or nerve studies (EMG and nerve-conduction testing) may be recommended. Nerve studies are performed by another specialist, and we coordinate that testing when it’s needed.

Peripheral neuropathy usually affects many nerves at once, often starting in both feet, and commonly has a body-wide cause such as diabetes. A pinched (entrapped) nerve is a problem at one point along a single nerve and typically causes symptoms in that nerve’s area. The two can occur together, and they are treated differently — which is why a careful examination matters.

• Peripheral neuropathy evaluation
• Nerve entrapment

Yes, if you have them: imaging reports (and discs, if available), nerve-study reports, operative reports from previous foot or ankle surgery, and a current medication list. Please bring them to your visit or have your previous doctor fax them — don’t email them.

Most people don’t start with surgery. Many nerve-related foot problems improve with non-surgical care such as footwear changes, padding, orthotics, activity changes, therapy or medication managed with your other clinicians. Surgery may be discussed when symptoms persist despite well-tried non-surgical care, the diagnosis is well supported, and the expected benefit outweighs the risks for you.

• How treatment is approached

Nerves recover slowly, and recovery varies from person to person. Some people notice improvement within weeks; for others it takes many months, and some symptoms may not resolve completely. We’ll talk about realistic expectations for your specific situation before any treatment.

Yes. If you’ve been advised to have surgery, or you still have nerve symptoms after a previous operation, we can review your history, records and imaging and discuss options. Bringing prior operative and imaging reports helps.

Yes. Numbness from diabetic neuropathy can hide injuries, so regular foot examinations and protective foot care are important. People with diabetes should have their feet checked at least once a year — more often if there is loss of sensation, a history of ulcers, or circulation problems. Call promptly for any new wound, redness, swelling or warmth.

• Peripheral neuropathy evaluation

Seek emergency care right away for sudden weakness or a foot that suddenly drags or slaps, new numbness in the groin or inner thighs, new loss of bladder or bowel control, symptoms after a significant injury, or a foot that is cold, pale, very swollen or red and hot, especially with fever. Call 911 in an emergency.