Dr. Fred Birnbaum
Podiatry
Fairless hills, PA
45 years experience male
Locations
Fred Birnbaum, DPM
Fairless hills, PA
Phone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna Life Insurance Company
AmeriHealth
Anthem BC Life & Health Insurance Company
Bankers Life and Casualty Company
Cigna
Great-West Healthcare
Health Net
HealthPartners
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Humana Insurance Company
Independence Blue Cross Group
Keystone Mercy Health Plan, Inc
Private Healthcare Systems, Inc (PHCS)
UnitedHealthcare
Bensalem Podiatry Assoc
Bensalem, PA
About
Bio
Born and raised in Phila Pa to Holocaust survivors.
Married with 2 grown boys and 2 grown stepchildren.
Hobbies include non-traditional healing, fishing, sports memorabilia, and competitive pinochle.
Also a certified Yoga Teacher from the Sky Foundation and certified Integrative Kabbalistic Healer.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Podiatry
Licenses
United States: Pennsylvania
Languages spoken
English, Russian
Doctor Q&A
224 Answers
82 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Meditation: Better strategies for coping with stress, like meditation, relaxation therapy, gentle yoga and more can be effective in dealing with this debilitating... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Lab analysis: Culture techniques are available, but most clinicians can reasonably detect it without it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Foot falling asleep.: I think you are looking at this backwards. The foot falling asleep is a symptom of something else- whether a vitamin deficiency, a pressure on a nerve... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Vicks: Vicks is a popular remedy for many problems including toenail fungus- it has been shown in studies to have mild antifungal properties, but it is mostl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
List is a mile long: Inflammation of muscles, poor circulation, tired feet, vitamin deficiency and many more.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Barefoot: There are both benefits and drawbacks to barefoot walking. Benefits include strengthening the intrinsic musculature of the foot and drawbacks include ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Heel pain: Having heel pain for some time changes your walk, so frequently other parts of the body start hurting too- the ankle, knee, hip and even the back. Als... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Trench foot: Keep the feet as dry as possible. Change socks frequently, use drying powders, avoid non-leather shoes, alternate shoes daily.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Taping: Proper athletic taping can be helpful for a metatarsal stress fracture. If the pain is alleviated by offloading the area with a combination of felt pa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Trauma?: If no injury involved, i would get seen asap by your local podiatrist or family doc.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Complex question: If the cause is poor venous circulation- elevation of legs frequently, compression hose, salt restriction and and leg toning exercise are all easy to ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Minor trauma: This usually indicates blood underneath the nail plate. Many runners suffer from this due to inadequate depth of the toe box portion of a running shoe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Moderation: You can eat almost anything in moderation. Large quantities of beer, red meats and shellfish can cause flare-ups in some people.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Cold feet: Do they warm up at night or are always cold? If always cold that is a sign of pad- peripheral arterial disease. If they warm up eventually there is no... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Rehab for ankles: It is best to see a physical therapist for this rehab. They can show you the best exercises for stretching and then strengthening the area. Other moda... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Possibly: See a healthcare pro like your family doc, a neurologist, or a podiatrist for a thorough exam to establish a likely diagnosis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Dermatitis: It sounds more like a skin reaction or inflammation- possibly an allergic reaction. See your local podiatrist for diagnostic evaluation and treatment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Burn treatment: Continually immerse your foot in cool water. Apply a burn ointment or Silvadene (silver sulfadiazine) cream if you can get it. If you have blisters or... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Extremity trauma: Physical trauma to the soft tissues (skin, blood vessels, nerves, muscles, ligaments) joints, and or bones of the part of the body below the leg compr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
882 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 58-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Not normal: you could have a bad sprain or fracture. See a podiatrist and have X-rays done if necessary.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
995 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Herbs for warts: Almost any remedy will work about 10% of the time but in my experience there are many more effective treatments available.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Many many: Any insurance company from aarp to blue cross has medicare supplements. The trick is finding one that answers the health issues without being too cost... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Back pain and numbne: This called neuropathy and has to do with irritation of the nerves at the spinal roots. Sometimes dealing with the cause of the back pain will help, b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Can't tell.: However, the internal stitches are made of materials that dissolve over time, once the tissues have healed around them. So unless there are non-absorb... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
RICE: Rest, ice, compression, elevation- if not better quickly, head to er or urgent care center.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 61-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Do it now.: A partial avulsion is usually minimally painful afterwards- the sore toe is worse. I'd do it now to prevent an infection setting in while you are away... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Osteochondral lesion: The talus is predisposed to fractures involving the cartilaginous portion of it's some. The mildest form of this type of fracture shows the findings y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Insurance coverage: Usually insurance will cover the procedure unless it is solely for cosmetic reasons. It can be done at a hospital or surgericenter as an outpatieint.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Nail fungus: Unless you had a trauma to this particular nail, this is probably onychmycosis, or nail fungus. Trauma can look similar. There are now both good topi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Soaks: Warm water soaks , followed by antibiotic cream and a bandaid for 3-5 days is a typical regimen.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Wart treatment: There are numerous ways to treat them- chemically, surgically and medically. Type of wart, location and number will often dictate the best treatment n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
No relationship: I've never seen or heard a relationship there. Large quantities of red meats, beer and several other foods are known triggers for gout. Lately, it has... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
It could help.: There are several grades of ankle sprain, as there are up to 3 ligaments involved. A course of pt can be helpful, and these are but 2 of the modalitie... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Hematoma.: It sounds like a subungual hematoma- often caused by badly fit shoes or trauma to the nail runners frequently get these and the nail will sometimes fa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Bruise: Most likely a bruise, but a podiatrist may recommend a biopsy once he sees the appearance of the nail and the lines and discoloration.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
ALLERGY: Sounds like an allergic dermatitis- see nyour pcp or dermatologist for further evaluation, diagnosis and treatment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Ignore: The thrill of victory or the agony of de-feet. Freeze a water bottle and roll it on your heel.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Alternative for gout: Cherries are a known remedy or preventative for gout (4-8 oz/day). Increased dairy has been shown to lower uric acid levels somewhat. High levels of m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Unknown: Unless you get x-rays taken, you do not know if the growth centers in your bones have closed or not. Until they do, you will continue to grow.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Chronic pain: It sounds like you are being treated for a chronic pain syndrome, commonly known as reflex synmpathetic dystrophy. There is no known cure for this. Do... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Several reasons: Other than trauma, the first thing that comes to mind is venous insufficiency, where the valves of the deep leg veins become incompetent, causing the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
No: I would have the warts treated and not worry about the shower- but keep the shower clean!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Insurance: Most insurances cover prosthetics. Go to your medical assitance office and apply iof you can't afford any insurance. Also contact your local state rep... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Depends on severity: For an ankle sprain, ice is helpful during the first week especially. Gentle range of motion exercise is helpful later and strengthening lastly.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
2 possible reasons: One reason would be poor circulation from your veins. The second could be a problem with the thermostatic mechanism in the brain that regulates how yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
No: Alteration of footgear and arch supports are usually the "first aid" of heel pain. If not improved, increasing heel height, ice massage and taking ant... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Subungual hematoma: This is a term which means blood accumulation under the nail. Usually from a minor trauma, but frequently seen in runners, it sometimes will bleed ini... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
882 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Direct contact: Usually via direct contact, although it is actually quite infrequent to see 2 members of the same family get them in short proximity to each other. I ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Inflammation.: The redness and pain can be caused by any condition that results in inflammatory changes- whether an infection or an acute arthritis. See your pcp soo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 45 years experience
Yes: After being immobilized, it is normal for your ankle to be stiff and difficult to move. Soak in warm water and it should get easier. If not, you may n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
4
Recommendations
384
Thank you notes
Jul 17, 2014
Dr. Birnbaum is a very intelligent and caring professional. I highly recommend him as an outstanding podiatrist.
Mar 1, 2014
Very accurate and timely responses.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Birnbaum is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you so very much for answering my question. I have an appointment Monday with an orthopedic doctor. Thank you again.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thanks so much, my dr told me a year ago I suffer from neuropathy.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Going to try these recommendations. Thank you
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
PCPM
Graduated 1978MD
Residency
DD Eisenhower Army Med Center
Awards
Top Podiatrist, Third Place, Pennsylvania - Winter
2013
Top Podiatrist, Second Place, Pennsylvania - Summer
2013
Top Podiatrist, First Place, Pennsylvania - Summer
2014
Affiliations
American Board of. Disability Analysts
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less