🩺 Diabetic Foot & Neuropathy Care in Surprise, AZ. Protect what gets you walking.
✓ Comprehensive diabetic foot exams ✓ Medicare accepted for qualifying patients ✓ Same-week appointments
5.0 stars from 52 patients Dr. David Bates, DPM · Practicing since 2003
Get a Call from Our Office
Same business day callbacks Mon–Fri. No referral required.
Schedule Your Diabetic Foot Exam.
A diabetic foot exam catches the problems that don't hurt yet — and most insurance covers it. Same business day callbacks Monday through Friday.
Request a Call or Text
No referral required. Tell us a little about you and we'll reach back same business day.
🦶 Why a Diabetic Foot Exam Matters
Diabetes changes feet — slowly, often silently. Reduced sensation means small blisters or pressure points can go unnoticed until they become ulcers. Reduced circulation slows healing once a wound starts. The annual comprehensive diabetic foot exam is the cheapest and most effective tool we have to keep small problems small.
🩺 What Dr. Bates Treats
- Diabetic foot exams — comprehensive yearly assessment of sensation, circulation, skin, nails, and footwear.
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy — symptom management, foot protection, and wound prevention.
- Diabetic ulcer prevention & care — offloading, dressings, and referral when needed.
- Routine diabetic nail & callus care — Medicare-covered for qualifying patients, every 60–90 days.
- Morton's neuroma — pinched nerve between the toes causing burning or "pebble in the shoe" feeling. Conservative care first; in-office injections often resolve.
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome — nerve compression at the ankle causing burning, tingling, or shooting pain.
- Charcot foot screening — early identification of this dangerous diabetic complication.
- Custom diabetic footwear & orthotics — often a Medicare-covered benefit for at-risk patients.
🧪 Conservative Care First
For neuropathy and nerve-related foot pain, Dr. Bates works through the conservative options before considering injections or other procedures: footwear coaching, padding, orthotics, activity modification, and topical agents. For Morton's neuroma specifically, a single in-office injection often provides lasting relief.
👁️ Catch Small Problems Early
If you have diabetes, the single most important habit is to look at your feet every day — top, bottom, and between the toes. If you can't see them, ask a family member or use a mirror. Call us about any cut, blister, redness, or warm spot that doesn't start healing within 24 hours. Small problems caught early are nearly always small problems treated easily.
📍 Diabetic & Neuropathy Care for Surprise, Sun City, Peoria, Glendale
Heelex is on Bola Drive in Surprise — convenient for diabetic patients across Sun City, Sun City West, Peoria, Glendale, El Mirage, Youngtown, Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Avondale, and Buckeye. New diabetic patients welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a diabetic patient see a podiatrist?
Most diabetic patients benefit from a comprehensive foot exam at least once a year, and routine nail and callus care every 60–90 days. Medicare typically covers routine diabetic foot care when there are qualifying risk factors.
What is diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
It's nerve damage in the feet (and sometimes hands) caused by long-term elevated blood sugar. Symptoms include numbness, burning, tingling, sharp shooting pains, and loss of protective sensation — which can lead to unnoticed wounds.
Is Morton's neuroma the same as diabetic neuropathy?
No — they're different problems even though both involve nerves. Morton's neuroma is a thickened, irritated nerve between the toes (usually 3rd and 4th) causing localized burning or feeling like there's a pebble in the shoe. Diabetic neuropathy is generalized nerve damage from blood sugar.
Can foot neuropathy be reversed?
Established diabetic neuropathy generally cannot be reversed, but symptoms can be managed and progression slowed. Dr. Bates focuses on protecting the foot, managing pain, and catching wounds early.
Do I need a referral?
No. Call (623) 270-7441 to schedule a diabetic foot exam or nerve evaluation, or request a callback through this page.