Dr. Fred Birnbaum
Podiatry
Fairless hills, PA
44 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 61-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Get checked out: While plantar fasciitis is a possibility, there are several other conditions which may cause this symptom. An evaluation should be done if the problem... Read More
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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.
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Doubtful: Arch pain has numerous causes and often, soft insoles do little or nothing. Until you get an appointment with a podiatrist for exam and diagnosis I wo... Read More
3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Ignore: Rest, ice, compression (like an ace wrap or ankle brace) and elevation are all immediate first-aid.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Ignore: Gelatin capsules can promote healthier nails if they are thin or brittle.
3.8k viewsReviewed May 11, 2020
A 32-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
882 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 58-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Not normal: you could have a bad sprain or fracture. See a podiatrist and have X-rays done if necessary.
995 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Ignore: Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes 2 days in a row to prevent athlete's foot and nail fungus.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Ignore: The thrill of victory or the agony of de-feet. Freeze a water bottle and roll it on your heel.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Inflammation.: You should see your family doc or a foot and ankle specialist to look into the problem and take care of it promptly.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
ALLERGY: Sounds like an allergic dermatitis- see nyour pcp or dermatologist for further evaluation, diagnosis and treatment.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Soaks: Warm water soaks , followed by antibiotic cream and a bandaid for 3-5 days is a typical regimen.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Depends.: If someone has a tight achilles tendon, then a small heel will provide a better quality gait. The phrase "natural walking" is a relative statement bec... Read More
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Lab analysis: Culture techniques are available, but most clinicians can reasonably detect it without it.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
No: Herpes (herpes simplex virus- hsv) and warts (human papilloma virus- hpv) are 2 different critters and one does not cause the other.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Home care : Try otc salicylic acid applications. If no help after 2 weeks, head to your local podiatrist . There are a few painless treatments that a professional... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Yes.: Pasteurized products can increase inflammation. Some doctors advocate vegan diets to help severe arthritic patients.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
No: I would have the warts treated and not worry about the shower- but keep the shower clean!
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Both: Some procedures are typically performed in an office setting, while others are done in a surgicenter, outpatient in a hospital or inpatient for major/... Read More
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Many possible issues: The answer may be as simple as tired feet, electrolyte imbalance, circulation issues, or neurological deficits. See your local podiatrist for accurate... Read More
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Trench foot: Keep the feet as dry as possible. Change socks frequently, use drying powders, avoid non-leather shoes, alternate shoes daily.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
List is a mile long: Inflammation of muscles, poor circulation, tired feet, vitamin deficiency and many more.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Several reasons: If there is a heavy callus or corn present, a wart, a foreign body reaction, metatarsalgia and neuromas( nerve problem) are a few possibilities.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 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
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Fred Birnbaumanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
RICE: Rest, ice, compression, elevation- if not better quickly, head to er or urgent care center.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
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