Fong Paul, DPM

Empathy is an important character of, if not a necessary skill of a doctor. So as the patience to review records per patient’s request. He appears absolutely confident and a little (too) aggressive, but not nice. Didn’t even bother to spend a few minutes of time to review examination results of a patient who traveled an hour one-​way to try to visit after seeing the advertisement.

Dropped a hinge on my foot at work that weighed about 5 lbs. Dr. Fong fixed it right up by draining my toe. Drilled a hole in the nail I did not feel anything while he was doing it. He handled the toe with lots of care. He gave me advice on how to take care of it. The toe does not have a scar at all. Toenail did not have to fall off and healed properly, can’t ask for a better Doctor to take care of me.

First, Dr. Fong’s staff was extremely accommodating – easy to make an appointment, courteous, and when Dr. Fong informed me I needed an MRI, his staff called my insurance company first to verify how much it would cost me. Above and beyond!
Dr. Fong himself is extremely knowledgeable. He listens and let me spew all the symptoms I was having without interrupting. He is an athlete himself and so was empathetic to my complaint of not being able to run. Because he runs too, he understands that I’m looking for a long term fix that will allow me to run my entire life.
He was prompt, ordering an MRI, reading it, and calling me back immediately about the results. He explained the results in language that was appropriate for my level of knowledge. He seemed genuinely invested in my healing.
I would absolutely recommend him to a friend and I will be going to see him for another follow-​up tomorrow!

I was experiencing really bad foot pain after I started preparing for a ½ marathon, I thought it best to see a podiatrist and Dr. Fong is located just up the street from my apartment.
I went in and Dr. Fong took x-​rays and after reviewing them discovered an extra bone in my right foot and hereditary bunion issues. The first thing he recommended was surgery to remove the extra bone and fix the bunions. This would require approximately 2 months of being off my feet. He also mentioned certain «cosmetic» changes that could be made while getting the procedure done. As a gainfully employed 30 year old who really doesn’t care about the cosmetics of my feet, I thought it best to get a second opinion. I scheduled a visit with my doctor and was referred to a specialist at UCSF, that’s when things got interesting.
When I called to ask for my x-​rays, as recommended by my primary care physician to avoid over exposure to radiation, the person I spoke with mentioned it would be a «hastle» to provide them. After several phone calls referencing the recommendation from my primary care doctor, I was able to arrange a time to pick them up.
I brought the x-​rays to the specialist and they weren’t usable, they were «sub-​optimal» and didn’t actually include the full foot or ankle. I took a new round of x-​rays and the most interesting thing I learned was that there was no extra bone, perhaps a smudge on the first x-​ray machine, but definitely not an extra bone. The specialist also recommended staying away from surgery and only using as a last resort because my bunions were minor and could be helped with a few minor modifications in shoe choice and bunion sleeves when running (wraps around my bunion). In fact, foot surgery can be a far worse experience than the actual pain or discomfort of minor foot issues like mine.
To recommend surgery in a case where just a few modifications helped seems a bit extreme and I’m very glad I got a second opinion prior to signing up for surgery. I liked Dr. Fong, I get the impression that he’s a very nice person but I would recommend getting a second opinion before moving forward with any major procedures.

Wow, what a great doctor and a great office!
I called today after I stepped on a glass chip that fell off my (cheap-​o) bracelet and became embedded in the ball of my foot.
After 10 days of growing pain and discomfort, I knew I needed a ‘real” doctor, not the pretend one I am (although I have seen every episode of «ER» after all).
Dr. Fong was unbelievably gentle and in a few minutes’ time, removed the teeny tiny rock (note to my cat: Don’t play with that bracelet again to wake me up to feed you at 5 am or I’ll turn you into a pair of mittens!)
Did I mention his office manager must’ve heard the slight panic in my voice and got me in within the hour?
Great doctor, great practice. It also seems they take most insurance plans, too.

Paul Fong is as good as it gets.
It was easy to get an appointment, unlike a few other clinics I tried. And when I arrived, his staff was courteous and friendly. During my appointment, Dr Fong, who is extremely kind, took the time to hear about my needs, my running routine, examined my stride, and really listened to my problem before prescribing an orthotic. As an athlete and runner, it was so helpful to speak to a man who runs himself. So often, doctors will just tell you to quit running (instead of realizing that you’re not in there for your obesity-​related issues Because You Are A Runner). He looks at the big picture: how to keep you healthy and active rather than for a quick fix. Running has never felt better.