About
Bio
I am a Florida native and even at an early age wanted to become a doctor in order to help others. My undergraduate degree was from the Mercer School of Pharmacy graduating as a pharmacist. My medical education was at the California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco. I attended a two-year residency in Houston, TX at the Harris County Podiatric Surgical Residency Program specializing in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. I have performed over 10,000 foot and ankle surgical procedures and have a special interest in plantar fasciitis. I was the first in Central Florida to perform the endoscopic plantar fascial release and the first to shock wave therapy for heel pain. Now, I often prevent surgery and many pains resolved with the use of a cold pain free MLS Laser in my office.
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
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery
Pain Management
Wound care
Doctor Q&A
100 Answers
29 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Itchy bumps: Common skin problems on the ankles include fungus infections, verrucae(warts), or skin allergies.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
A male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Surgery: Often when there is separation of the bones with an ankle fracture, surgery is indicated. However, the patients health status can affect the decision... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
MLS Laser: Newer treatments that I have used in my own practice and has prevented Achilles tendon surgery is the MLS Laser treatments. This involves 10 painless... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Conservative: Conservative care includes having your shoes stretched at a shoe repair shop and wearing gel pads.
Surgical removal of the bunionette is a considerati... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Custom orthotics: If you have an abnormal stance or gait causing the calluses then treatment options include custom made orthotics.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Unpredictable: About 80% of the patients that have heel surgery are pain free. The surgery can take up to several months to completely heal. Other treatments prior... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Non impact: If your doctor permits, often patients can swim or use a stationary bike.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Neuropathy/vascular: Such symptoms can be the result of diabetic nerve disease call neuropathy or circulatory problems.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Fracture surgery: A fractured 5th metatarsal bone can need surgery depending on where the fracture is located and if the fracture site is dislocated or not aligned prop... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Fungus vs dermatitis: This could be a tinea pedis(fungus infection of the skin) or a dermatitis of some type. Over the counter cortisone creams and athletes foot cream cou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Tendonitis: The Achilles tendon can easily become inflamed with a new activity or even a minor injury resulting in pain in the tendon. Sometimes there can be an ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Blood testing: Gout often comes and goes and does not persist for months. A simple blood test for Uric Acid levels will help determine whether you do or do not have... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Months: Driving with a regular shoe(not a Velcro plastic boot cast) can be as early as 6 weeks but can take up to 6 months depending on how the healing proces... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 54-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Depends on the shoe: If your surgeon agrees, starting with sandals such as Orthoheels, going to flats/tennis shoes, then small wedges and heels are last. This transition ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Ignore: Take biotin 5000mcg daily can reduce the cracks and nails splitting and strengthen the nails.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
No: Anatomically, there are no lymph nodes in that area.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Tendon or vein: In that area, either the peroneus brevis or longus tendon can be inflamed or damaged and can cause such findings. Even though you state it is not the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Infection?: Any surgery can result in an infection. However, infection 8 months later is rare. Blood work and special bone scans would be needed to make sure if y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Bone or soft tissue?: If the X-ray shows a non-healing fracture or abnormal angle of the healed bone, surgery is an option. If the x-ray shows good healing then pain resolu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Yes: Doctors often will give an antibiotic to prevent infection following surgery and ampicillin is a good choice.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Often normal: Swelling following an injection of cortisone can be normal reaction to the increase pressure of the injected fluid between the toes. Less often, a mil... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Healing process: Occasionally, there can be some minor nerve bruising of damage from the procedure that you had done. The healing of the nerve can take up to 12 to 18... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Details?: Many ankle conditions respond to rest, ice, elevation, compressive ankle support and physical therapy. More info is needed for your problem.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Bunions/bunionette: Yes, there are surgical procedures available to narrow the feet if painful. Most common procedures include the removal of bunions(below the big toe) ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Cuticle/scar tissue: The cuticle around the nail can sometimes enlarge and thicken as well as scar tissue can form and cause such a skin condition.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Several factors: Yes or no depending on the bone fractured, the alignment of the bone(displaced or not), the radiographic signs of healing, how much and how long weigh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Allergic vs normal: Under conditions you listed chest pain/chest tightness if this is since the ant bite you may be having a serious allergic reaction and need to go the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Possible neuroma: Most likely a pinched swollen nerve which is more common in women due to shoes and certain activities. .
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Allergy/reaction: Such a skin reaction can be related to taking a new medication, using a new soap, or other allergy. A bacterial infection is possible but less likely... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 57-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Up to 6 months: Achilles tendon surgery such as what you had can take up to six months to heel. Suggest MLS Laser treatments for the pain and swelling. Other treatm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Ask your surgeon: Often the screws or plate is left in permanently after a major foot surgery like you had done. The flexibility of the mid-foot is permanently stiff a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Torn ligaments too??: A chip of bone in an ankle is often a sign that a ligament is injured too as that chip can be broken off when the ligament is over stretched from a sp... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Proper nutrition: It is more important to eat a balanced diet with the proper amounts of carbohydrates/protein/fats in order to allow proper healing. If you reduce you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 61-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Neuroma: Burning in the feet can be caused by diabetes or vitamin deficiencies. Also it can be caused by a neuroma which is a pinched swollen nerve in the ball... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Not at all: Most likely the size of the hands and feet are genetic so you could ask your parents/grandparents about others in the family with similar sized hands/... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Podiatrist: Conservative care for a Morton's neuroma include wearing wider shoes, lower heels or flats, and changing activities. Podiatrists treat Morton's neuro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Surgical repair: A complete tear of this retinaculum can lead to a chronic dislocation of these tendons. Most often a complete rupture is repaired surgically.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Root surgery??: If the doctor just removed the nail, the entire nail should regrow. If he or she also killed the root surgically or chemically(called a matrixectomy) ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Need evaluation: Yes, being bow-legged can affect the way you walk. Any bone or joint in a less than optimal position can affect ones gait or stance. Suggest you see... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
No: That is an antibiotic and will not help a fungal infection
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Culture: See the doctor that removed your nail and ask about having a culture and sensitivity swab test of the wound. You may just be healing slowly or may ha... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
See your surgeon: Please see your surgeon for follow up. Conservative treatments to reduce your pain could include a tens unit or MLS Laser treatments.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Yes: Swelling with such a serious fracture can easily last for 6 months, although some patients will experience mild swelling indefinitely.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Physical therapy: Follow all of your surgeons post op instructions and physical therapy is needed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Unpredictable: Surgery for an entrapped nerve can be unpredictable. Often the patient will experience numbness or tingling up to 18 months after such nerve surgery .... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Domino effect: In my foot and ankle practice, I see a lot of what I call the "Domino effect", which is when one biomechanical foot or ankle problem leads to an over-... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Biomechanics: The biomechanics of standing and walking are so different. With standing there is constant pressure on the joints and tendons and if you have flat fe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Yes it is.: Unfortunately, physical therapy can be aggressive at times and an injury can occur. In 27 years of practice I have similar injuries occur twice, so it... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Arthritis/bone spur: The middle joint of the big toe can develop arthritis and spurs and then the end of the toe starts to deviate towards the 2nd toe. I have also seen a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. David Moatsanswered
Podiatry 38 years experience
Tinea pedis: Such symptoms can be caused by a tinea pedis fungu infection, bacterial infection, eczema, psoriasis, or a growth under the skin.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k 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.
2
Recommendations
59
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Moats is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Moats is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you. It is unfortunate my Ortho's do not have the same assessment.
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you Dr. I did injure it a week ago so hopefully that's it.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Looking in to buying a parrafin wax kit thanks!! :)
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
California College of Podiatric Medicine
Graduated 1985MD
Residency
HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT
Completed 1987
Awards
25 Year Acitve Staff Osceola Regional Hospital
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons
American Podiatric Medical Association
Florida Podiatric Medical Association
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