Claire ThompsonMy friend, who performs in local theater productions, started experiencing sharp heel pain after long rehearsals and standing during gallery events.
She brushed it off at first and kept wearing her favorite vintage leather boots, which only made the pain worse after every show. Eventually, this led to her missing an important rehearsal.
And since she wasn’t in the right condition to look for solutions, she asked me for help since I was used to researching local services anyway. To be sure, I even tried consulting someone who works in home health care services for credible picks.
Together, we researched the best podiatrists in Columbus and compared treatment specialties, pricing, bedside manner, and appointment availability. So if you are also dealing with stubborn foot pain or ankle strain, here’s our shortlist.
How much do podiatrists charge in Columbus?
Podiatrists in Columbus typically charge between $60 and $400 for uninsured or cash-pay patients. This depends on whether the patient is new or existing, facility type, complexity, insurance coverage, and administrative fees.
1. Kaplansky Foot and Ankle Centers
Address: 1275 Olentangy River Rd # 10
Contact Details:
- +1 614 291 5555
Business Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:30 am to 4:45 pm
- Sat-Sun: Closed
Kaplansky Foot and Ankle Centers is a full-service Columbus podiatry clinic. They highlight foot and ankle surgery and acute care for injuries like fractures and sports or work-related issues.
This practice is anchored by Dr. David Kaplansky, DPM, and Dr. Anthony Cozzolino, DPM, operating under the Mount Carmel Health Partners network.
Amazingly, for us, Dr. Kaplansky was notably the first surgeon in Ohio to perform a Lapiplasty 3D bunion correction in 2017.
Moreover, we appreciate that they feature advanced tech such as Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Laser Therapy. This is used for fast pain relief and partnerships for cannabidiol or CBD-derived anti-inflammatory care.
We also love that the staff offers online booking and phone scheduling, which helps those who need quick appointments.
They accept Medicare, Medicaid, and a wide range of insurance plans too. This makes them more accessible for insured patients compared with small cash-only clinics.
Their estimated rate for an out-of-pocket or self-pay standard consultation is $100 to $250. They are firmly in the mid-to-high average bracket compared to regional rivals.
However, someone mentioned arriving on time with paperwork filled out, only to experience in-office wait times exceeding 30 minutes before being pulled back.
Very efficient in treatment and diagnosis
“Dr Kaplansky is a wonderful podiatrist very efficient in treatment, diagnosis, and very attentive and caring bedside manner. very helpful in managing diabetes related foot issues Staff always caring and professional. Lindsay is above and beyond always thank you all for such great care. I highly recommend kaplansky foot and ankle to everyone”
-Virtee Scroggins, Google Review
Excellent, very beneficial, and informative
“But doctor was excellent very beneficial very informative he answered all my questions plus help me with a few other ones that came up a foot injury is never easy to deal with but he definitely gave me his support love and care and this is my very first time ever being there I recommend this foot company for all your problems pertaining to foot and ankle definitely tens across the board”
-Christina Williams, Google Review
2. Ohio Foot & Ankle Specialists
Address: 3713 S High St
Contact Details:
- +1 614 497 3066
Business Hours:
- Open 24/7
Ohio Foot & Ankle Specialists is a multi-location podiatry group with over 35 offices across Ohio. For us, this network size is their edge over single-office practices.
Their South Columbus office is heavily anchored by Dr. Robert Lynn, DPM, focused heavily on diabetic wound care management.
We also find it convenient that they are a one-stop podiatry provider for many services involving routine, wound, and surgical care.
More specifically, they handle everything on-site, from basic nail debridement to specialized digital X-rays and surgical treatments for fractures and toe deformities.
When it comes to their fees, expect to pay $110 to $240 per out-of-pocket or self-pay base evaluation. While they are pretty standard for basic preventative treatments, their widespread corporate structure pushes costs slightly higher for advanced procedures.
But because of their massive scale, note that their doctors frequently rotate between various regional offices. In our view, this can make scheduling and long-term follow-ups with the same physician tough if your schedules don’t perfectly align.
Super friendly, very gentle, and cooperative
“Great visit, always on time. Dr. Linn is super friendly, and very gentle, office personal are friendly and cooperative. Highly recommend them for all your footcare needs.”
-Steven Puhl, Google Review
Everyone was very professional
“I was taken care of politely in a timely manner. Everyone was very professional. Doctor even sent off to test the nail to see the type of fungus that was growing. I have had my feet cared for due to my diabetes for many years, and that was never done. I’m very pleased with the care I received.”
-Debbie Wright, Google Review
3. Worthington Foot & Ankle
Address: 7620 Olentangy River Rd
Contact Details:
- +1 614 885 8895
- [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Sat-Sun: Closed
Worthington Foot & Ankle is an established local clinic that focuses on straightforward medical care rather than elective foot cosmetics.
To do this, they emphasize using digital X-rays and current podiatry techniques to diagnose and treat a wide range of foot problems.
Their clinic is also led by Dr. Karl Andrew Fulkert, DPM, and Dr. Sarah Joy Viselli, DPM, who both enjoy strong community reputations.
The team’s caseload strongly prioritizes everyday functions, such as wound care, ankle sprains, and fractures. It’s also impressive to us that they focus on diabetic foot screenings and rapid-relief treatments.
And while they maintain the feel of a personalized private practice, they are also part of the Mount Carmel Health System network. This integration provides patients with streamlined transitions if they require broader hospital imaging.
They also lean into an independent pricing model that offers a highly accessible financial structure. They charge $90 to $210 per out-of-pocket or self-pay base evaluation.
Just remember that they have tighter office hours than others, as they operate from 9 am to 4 pm with no weekend availability or late-evening blocks.
Treated my problem in a very professional manner
“The doctor and staff were very friendly and I appreciated being seen on time. The doctor diagnosed and treated my problem in a very professional manner and I would highly recommend this practice.”
-Lisa Shepard, Google Review
Very knowledgeable about my foot concerns
“Dr. Viselli is pleasant, smiling, and like a burst of fresh air. She’s very knowledgeable about my feet concerns and I feel she really cares about her patients. The staff are awesome!”
-Pam Richards, Google Review
4. Gentle Foot Care
Address: 3255 E Livingston Ave
Contact Details:
- +1 614 239 9444
- +1 866 953 3519
Business Hours:
- Mon-Wed, Fri: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Thu: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
- Sat-Sun: Closed
Gentle Foot Care is known for their broad array of localized treatments. They have a focus on in-office ingrown toenail surgeries, diabetic foot evaluations, and laser treatments for nail fungus.
We are impressed by their fungus treatment niche too. They specialize in advanced laser therapeutics, using targeted laser wavelengths to clear persistent nail fungus. We like that this offers a rapid, pill-free alternative to traditional oral meds.
They also offer same-day and urgent treatment through their 24/7 central telephone scheduling line. We believe this is handy for those needing quick care for pain, ingrown nails, or injuries.
Another great thing for us is that they structure their retail pricing to be highly accessible for routine issues, making them a budget-friendly option in Columbus. They charge $80 to $180 per standard visit code for out-of-pocket patients.
Nevertheless, a client told us that she felt rushed when she was at the clinic. Since the 24/7 intake pipeline fills every available time slot, we reckon their doctors have to maintain high patient volumes. This can leave little time for in-depth consultations.
Quick, professional, and knew exactly what he was doing
“Great doctor quick, professional, and knew exactly what he was doing. He fixed the issue fast and made the visit easy. Definitely recommend.”
-Ali boss, Google Review
Very professional and likable
“The staff were excellent, so nice! Dr. Merkel was terrific, he gave me a clear diagnosis and treatment plan, addressed some issues during visit. Dr Merkel was very professional, extremely nice and very likable. Definitely found my new foot care doctor. Thank you everyone! What was an extremely uncomfortable visit turned out to be very pleasant!”
-Michael Gonzales, Google Review
5. Foot and Ankle Specialists of Central Ohio (FASCO)
Address: OhioHealth Pickerington Methodist Hospital, 1030 Refugee Rd #295, Pickerington
Contact Details:
- +1 614 339 2000
Business Hours:
- Mon: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Tue-Thu: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
- Fri: 7:30 am to 3:30 pm
- Sat-Sun: Closed
Foot and Ankle Specialists of Central Ohio sits inside OhioHealth Pickerington Methodist Hospital and is integrated with the Mount Carmel Health system.
In our view, this dual footprint gives patients an exceptionally wide, seamless network for specialist hospital referrals.
They offer everything from routine foot care and diabetic and wound care to surgical procedures and custom bracing, making them a convenient one-stop option.
This practice is a 10-physician podiatry and surgery group with multiple locations too. For us, this makes them one of the most accessible options in the city.
But because they sit inside a major medical campus, their base diagnostic out-of-pocket costs are slightly higher than those of a standalone street clinic.
Of course, it helps that they still stay less pricier than a full hospital emergency room. They charge $115 to $260 per standard evaluation if you’re doing self-pay.
But unlike other options, their Pickerington location cuts their operating hours shorter. They close early—4 pm Tuesday to Thursday and 3:30 pm on Fridays—which can limit late afternoon appointments.
Excellent and comfortable to talk to
“I highly recommend Foot and Ankle Specialist. They are awesome. The staff is friendly and professional. They do their best to be of service to you. The doctor is excellent and is comfortable to talk to and is more than happy to answer any questions you have.
-Big Dan, Google Review
Genuinely friendly and respectful
“I left my previous podiatrist not because he wasn’t an excellent doctor, but because I always felt like I was inconveniencing the office staff whenever I checked in or out. My experience at FASCO (Pickerington Office) was the complete opposite. They were genuinely friendly, respectful, and created an experience that felt welcoming from the moment I walked in. Dr. Walker was also very friendly and compassionate, and her bedside manner made the whole visit feel comfortable and unrushed. The treatment she provided was exactly what I needed and I have already seen a noticeable difference. I would not hesitate recommending this doctor and her practice to others.”
-Kim Clements, Google Review
