How Direct Care Podiatry Helped an Immunocompromised Woman Avoid a Foot Infection Crisis
When Lisa first called my office, she was frantic.
“I can’t wait six weeks for an appointment,” she said. “I have a small wound on my foot, and I’m immunocompromised. I’m scared it’s going to get worse.”
Lisa had been living with rheumatoid arthritis for years, taking medications that weakened her immune system. She knew that even a tiny cut or blister on her foot could turn into a serious infection—one that could land her in the hospital or worse. But when she tried to get an appointment with a traditional podiatrist, the first available slot was over a month away.
That wasn’t an option.
Why Time Matters for Immunocompromised Patients
For people like Lisa, infections don’t play by the same rules. A minor wound that might heal in days for a healthy person could spiral into a life-threatening infection in an immunocompromised patient. Waiting for weeks to be seen wasn’t just inconvenient—it was dangerous.
Because my practice operates on a direct care model, I was able to see Lisa the very next day. No insurance delays, no referral roadblocks—just immediate care when she needed it most.
A Plan to Protect Her Health
When Lisa arrived, I immediately assessed her foot. She had a small but deep ulcer on the ball of her foot, caused by an unnoticed blister. The skin around it was red, and there were early signs of infection. If she had waited weeks, she likely would have ended up in the hospital with a serious wound.
Here’s how we took action right away:
✅ Advanced wound care – We thoroughly cleaned the wound, applied a skin substitute to promote healing, and protected it with a specialized dressing.
✅ Customized offloading – I created a custom orthotic modification to remove pressure from the wound so it wouldn’t worsen with walking.
✅ Proactive infection prevention – Because of her immune system risks, we took a functional medicine approach, supporting her body’s natural healing process with targeted nutrition, supplements, and gut health strategies to strengthen her immune response.
✅ Regular follow-ups—without the wait – Instead of rushed visits spaced months apart, Lisa had weekly check-ins, ensuring her wound healed safely and completely.
Healing Without the Stress of the System
Within a few weeks, Lisa’s wound was fully healed. More importantly, she now had a trusted doctor she could call anytime she had a concern. No waiting, no worrying—just expert care on her terms.
“I don’t know what I would have done without this kind of care,” Lisa told me. “I would have ended up in the hospital, no doubt.”
Your Health Deserves Immediate, Expert Care
If you’re immunocompromised, have diabetes, or simply want high-quality foot care without the wait, direct care podiatry is the solution. You shouldn’t have to fight through the healthcare system to get the care you need.
Let’s make sure your feet stay healthy—without the delays.
