Dr. John Oknaian is dedicated to providing the very best in podiatry and general foot care through preventative techniques, educating patients and creating a caring and professional atmosphere. With state-of-the-art equipment, the most up-to-date information and strategies and a gentle approach, we hope our office will be your full-service podiatry group solution in Bellflower, Cypress and surrounding areas.

Over 25 Years of Experience Including Treatment of:

Bunions
Circulatory Disorders
Minimal Incision Ambulatory Foot Surgery
Hammertoes
Bone Spurs
Corns & Calluses
Warts & Ingrown Toenails
Broken Bones & Sprains
Burning/Tingling Feet
Sports Injuries
Custom Shoes & Dr. Comfort Diabetic Shoes
Orthopedic Supports
Including the Latest Technology
For Relief of Heel Pain

A podiatrist or podiatric physician is a podiatric professional, a person devoted to the study and medical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower extremity by all systems and means. The term is primarily used in North America. In Britain prospective students undergo a three year undergraduate degree in Podiatry to receive a BSc (HONS) degree. The professional title in Britain is Podiatrist however most are still known as chiropodists due to chiropody being the better known term for a foot specialist. Training varies by country, but is most commonly a bachelor degree. In some jurisdictions, individuals with this training may be called "podiatrists" even though the training level differs from that in the U.S. system. In the United States the terms chiropodist and podiatrist were used interchangeably until the mid-twentieth century when medical training and scope of practice were significantly expanded.

In the United States and much of Canada, podiatrists have a Doctors of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (D.P.M.) degree. To achieve this degree, podiatrists have four years of undergraduate university training with an emphasis in the basic sciences, followed by four years of medical training in a school of podiatric medicine. Hospital rotations in a wide variety of disciplines are conducted in the 2nd through 4th years. In the United States and much of Canada, additional residency training is required for state and provincial licensing. Residency programs are typically two or three years. Some podiatrists also pursue additional fellowship training in a subspecialty.

Podiatric physicians in the main practice in solo practice. However, there has been a movement toward larger group practices as well as the use of podiatrists in multi-specialty groups treating diabetes or in multi-specialty orthopedic surgical groups. Some podiatrists work within clinic practices such as the Indian Health System (IHS), the Rural Health Centers (RHC) and Community Health Center (FQHC) systems established by the Federal government to provide services to under insured and non-insured patients as well as within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs providing care to veterans of military service.

Scope: The differences in podiatric medical and surgical practice are determined by state law. Each state allows or limits the practice of podiatric medicine to the foot, ankle or and in many States, includes portions of the leg. This may include surgery above the ankle in at least 18 states. Many states require completion of a residency to practice. Many podiatric surgeons work in hospital settings doing both medical and surgical treatments for patients. As in many other specialties some podiatrists work in nursing homes and some perform house calls for patients. Podiatric patients range from newborns and infants to the geriatric.

Medical and orthopedic practice: Some podiatrists limit their practices to the non-(hospital)surgical treatment of patients. Because much work in podiatric medicine and surgery involves cutting of some kind, many procedures are considered surgical by insurance companies including tasks such as the (cutting of nails, removing of corns or callus) which the general public would not ordinarily consider to be surgery. These podiatrists use their skills in handling arthritic, diabetic, and other medical problems associated with the feet and lower extremities. Some use devices fitted in shoes (orthotic devices) or modify the shoe itself to make walking better or easier. Some practices focus on sports medicine and treat many runner, dancers, soccer players and other athletes.

Surgical Practice: Within the scope of practice, podiatrists are the experts at foot, ankle & related leg structures surgery. Podiatrists have specialized training and interest in the lower extremities as well as one to three year surgical residencies in the United States. Some podiatrists have solely surgical practices. Most podiatrists mix medical, orthopedic, biomechanics and surgical practices. Indeed surgical podiatric principles rest on a base of orthopedic and kinesthetic knowledge.