Frequently Asked Questions About Podiatry Care in Houston, TX
Choosing a foot doctor raises a lot of questions, from what a podiatrist treats to how insurance works and what happens at your first visit. Below, the team at Kenrick J. Dennis, DPM answers the questions we hear most often from patients across Houston, TX. If you don’t see your question here, call our Memorial City office at (713) 465-8833 and we’ll be glad to help.
Podiatry FAQs
What is a podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Podiatrists provide both conservative care and surgical treatment for problems such as heel pain, ingrown toenails, bunions, and sports injuries.
When should I see a podiatrist instead of my primary care doctor?
You should see a podiatrist when foot or ankle pain lasts more than a few days, keeps you from normal activities, or keeps coming back. A podiatrist has specialized training in the bones, tendons, nerves, and skin of the foot and can often find the underlying cause faster.
Do I need a referral to see Dr. Dennis?
Most PPO plans and Medicare do not require a referral. HMO plans do require a referral from your primary care physician with a valid authorization number on file before your appointment can be scheduled. Visit our insurance page for details.
What insurance plans do you accept?
We accept most major plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Community Health Choice (Marketplace), Humana, Memorial Hermann Health Plan, United Healthcare, Tricare West, Tricare for Life, and Medicare. Self-pay patients are also welcome.
Where is your office located?
Our office is at 902 Frostwood, Suite 250, Houston, TX 77024, in the Memorial City area near Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital. We see patients from Memorial, Spring Valley Village, Hedwig Village, Katy, Cypress, Bellaire, and across greater Houston.
What are your office hours?
We are open Monday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, Tuesday 7:00 AM–4:00 PM, Wednesday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Thursday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, and Friday 7:00 AM–12:00 PM. Early morning appointments are available on Tuesdays and Fridays.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring your insurance card, a photo ID, a list of current medications, any recent imaging or records related to your foot problem, and the shoes you wear most often. You can save time by completing our new patient registration form before your visit.
Does Dr. Dennis treat children?
Yes. Dr. Dennis treats children, teens, adults, and seniors. Common pediatric concerns include heel pain in active kids, plantar warts, ingrown toenails, flat feet, and overuse injuries from sports.
Can a podiatrist treat sports injuries?
Absolutely. Dr. Dennis completed a Fellowship in Training through the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine and served as Medical Director of the Houston Marathon. He treats ankle sprains, stress injuries, tendon problems, and running-related foot pain.
Will I need surgery for my foot problem?
Most foot conditions improve with conservative care such as stretching, padding, footwear changes, medication, injections, or custom orthotics. Surgery is recommended only when conservative treatment has not provided relief.
Where does Dr. Dennis perform surgery?
When surgery is needed, Dr. Dennis operates at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital and Cy-Fair Surgery Center. Many minor procedures, such as ingrown toenail removal, can be performed right in our office.
Can you give me a second opinion?
Yes. If another doctor has recommended surgery or a treatment you are unsure about, Dr. Dennis can review your case and explain all of your options so you can make an informed decision.
Are custom orthotics better than store-bought inserts?
Custom orthotics are molded to your feet and designed to correct your specific mechanics, while store-bought inserts offer generic cushioning. Custom devices are often recommended for plantar fasciitis, flat feet, high arches, and chronic knee, hip, or back pain linked to foot alignment.
How should people with diabetes care for their feet?
People with diabetes should check their feet daily, keep skin clean and moisturized, wear protective footwear, and see a podiatrist regularly. Numbness from peripheral neuropathy can hide injuries, so routine foot exams are essential.
Can I trim my own ingrown toenail?
We don’t recommend cutting into an ingrown nail at home, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation. Home “bathroom surgery” often leads to infection. An in-office procedure is quick, uses local anesthetic, and can permanently prevent the nail from growing back into the skin.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Call our office at (713) 465-8833 or use our online appointment request form. Our team will confirm your appointment by phone.
Do you offer an online patient portal?
Yes. Established patients can use our patient portal to access health information and communicate with our office securely.