SERVICES
Foot & ankle services in Rockville, MD
From urgent care for injuries and ingrown toenails to custom orthotics, minimally invasive bunion surgery, and advanced wound care, with in-house digital X-ray for faster answers.
Urgent Foot & Ankle Care
Foot and ankle problems don't always wait for a scheduled appointment. If you've injured your foot or ankle, or developed a painful infection, call Rockville Podiatry first. With in-house digital X-ray, Dr. Lakner can often diagnose fractures and other injuries during your visit and begin treatment right away, without a separate trip to an urgent care center or imaging facility.
We do our best to see urgent foot and ankle problems as quickly as possible. Call our office at (301) 762-4636 and let our team know what's going on.
WE TREAT URGENT PROBLEMS INCLUDING
- Painful or infected ingrown toenails
- Broken toes and foot or ankle fractures
- Ankle sprains and twisting injuries
- Puncture wounds, cuts, splinters, or objects stuck in the foot
- New wounds, blisters, or sores, especially if you have diabetes
- Sudden swelling, redness, or warmth, such as a gout flare or infection
- Sudden heel or Achilles pain
When to go to the emergency room
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for a bone that is visibly out of place or through the skin, a foot that is cold, pale, or blue, rapidly spreading redness with fever or chills, or heavy bleeding.
Wound Care & Limb Salvage
Diabetic foot wounds and ulcers caused by poor circulation or peripheral vascular disease require specialized treatment to prevent infection, hospitalization, or even amputation. Advanced diabetic wound care focuses on improving healing through proper wound cleaning, removal of damaged tissue, advanced dressings, pressure offloading, and coordination with vascular specialists when needed. Early treatment from a podiatrist in Rockville, MD is essential to protect long-term foot health. At Rockville Podiatry, Dr. Lakner provides advanced diabetic foot care and wound treatment while developing a personalized plan to help patients heal properly, avoid complications, and return to a comfortable, active lifestyle.
Fellowship-trained at Johns Hopkins
Learn about the wounds we treat, our approach to healing and prevention, and when to call right away.
Explore Wound CareCustom & Specialty Orthotics and Gait Analysis
Custom orthotics are prescription shoe inserts designed specifically for your feet to improve alignment, reduce pressure points, and support proper walking mechanics. They are commonly used to treat conditions such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, high arches, arthritis, and chronic foot pain. Unlike over-the-counter inserts, custom orthotics are made using detailed measurements of your feet to provide long-lasting support and improved comfort. If you are searching for custom orthotics in Rockville, MD, Dr. Lakner at Rockville Podiatry performs a thorough evaluation of your foot structure and gait to create orthotics that relieve pain, improve mobility, and help keep you active.
Specialty orthotics
- Sports and running orthotics
- Diabetic and accommodative orthotics that offload pressure and help prevent ulcers
- Low-profile dress-shoe orthotics
- Custom ankle bracing for instability and tendon dysfunction
Gait analysis
The way you walk can be the hidden cause of heel pain, tendonitis, shin splints, and recurring injuries. A gait evaluation looks at how your feet, ankles, and legs move with every step, revealing imbalances that a standard exam can miss. Those findings guide your orthotic design and treatment plan, so your orthotics are built for how you actually move.
Dr. Lakner has a special interest in gait and biomechanics, including his studies on computer-assisted gait analysis (CAGA), which uses technology to measure and record how you walk in precise detail.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What conditions do custom orthotics treat?
Custom orthotics are commonly used for plantar fasciitis, flat feet, high arches, arthritis, tendonitis, and chronic foot pain.
How are custom orthotics made?
A podiatrist performs a detailed exam and takes measurements or digital scans of your feet. The orthotics are then custom manufactured to support your specific biomechanics.
Are custom orthotics better than store-bought inserts?
Yes. Custom orthotics are designed specifically for your feet and provide more precise support and correction.
How long do orthotics last?
Most custom orthotics last several years depending on activity level and shoe wear.
At-Risk Foot Care, Nail Care & Callus Care
Patients with diabetes, neuropathy, poor circulation, or other medical conditions often need professional foot care to prevent complications. Regular podiatric care such as safe nail trimming, callus reduction, and routine foot exams can help prevent infections, ulcers, and painful skin breakdown. For patients considered “at risk,” proper foot care is essential for maintaining mobility and overall health. If you need diabetic foot care or medical nail care in Rockville, MD, Dr. Lakner at Rockville Podiatry provides gentle, thorough treatment while monitoring your foot health and creating a preventive care plan to keep you comfortable and walking safely.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Who needs professional foot care?
Patients with diabetes, neuropathy, poor circulation, arthritis, or difficulty reaching their feet benefit from professional nail and callus care.
Why shouldn't diabetics trim their own nails?
Reduced sensation and circulation can make small cuts or injuries dangerous and increase the risk of infection.
How often should diabetic patients see a podiatrist?
Many patients benefit from visits every 2–3 months for routine foot care and monitoring.
Bunion Surgery (Including Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery)
Bunions are a common foot deformity that can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty wearing shoes. When conservative treatments such as orthotics or padding no longer provide relief, bunion surgery may be recommended to correct the alignment of the big toe joint. Modern surgical techniques—including minimally invasive bunion surgery—can reduce tissue disruption, improve recovery time, and restore proper foot function. If you are looking for bunion surgery in Rockville, MD, Dr. Lakner at Rockville Podiatry carefully evaluates the severity of the deformity and discusses surgical options designed to relieve pain and help you return to comfortable walking.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What causes bunions?
Bunions develop when the big toe joint gradually shifts out of alignment. Genetics, foot structure, and tight shoes may contribute.
Do bunions always require surgery?
No. Many bunions can be treated conservatively with orthotics, shoe modifications, and padding.
What is minimally invasive bunion surgery?
Minimally invasive surgery uses smaller incisions and specialized instruments to correct the bunion while minimizing tissue disruption.
How long is recovery after bunion surgery?
Recovery varies depending on the procedure, but many patients return to normal activities within several weeks.
Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery
Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery is used to correct structural problems that cause chronic pain, instability, or difficulty walking. These procedures may involve correcting deformities, repairing damaged tendons or ligaments, treating arthritis, or restoring proper alignment after injury. The goal of reconstructive surgery is to improve function, reduce pain, and help patients return to daily activities. If you need a foot and ankle surgeon in Rockville, MD, Dr. Lakner at Rockville Podiatry provides a comprehensive evaluation and develops a personalized surgical plan focused on restoring stability, mobility, and long-term foot health.
Sports Medicine & Foot Injuries
Foot and ankle injuries are common in runners, athletes, and active individuals. Conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprains, stress fractures, and tendon injuries can limit performance and daily activity. Sports medicine focuses on accurate diagnosis, targeted treatment, and rehabilitation so patients can safely return to exercise and sports. If you are experiencing a sports-related foot injury in Rockville, MD, Dr. Lakner at Rockville Podiatry provides expert care designed to relieve pain, restore function, and help you return to the activities you enjoy.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What are common sports-related foot injuries?
Common injuries include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprains, stress fractures, and tendon injuries.
Should athletes see a podiatrist for foot pain?
Yes. A podiatrist can diagnose the cause of pain and develop a treatment plan to safely return to activity.
How can sports injuries be prevented?
Proper footwear, stretching, training adjustments, and biomechanical evaluation can reduce injury risk.
In-House Digital X-Ray Imaging
When foot or ankle pain occurs, accurate diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment. In-house digital X-ray imaging allows your podiatrist to quickly evaluate bones, joints, and alignment issues such as fractures, arthritis, bunions, and other structural conditions. Having X-rays performed directly in the office means faster answers, immediate review of results, and a more convenient experience for patients without needing to visit a separate imaging center. If you are looking for a podiatrist with digital X-ray in Rockville, MD, Dr. Lakner at Rockville Podiatry can perform on-site imaging and explain your results right away while developing a personalized treatment plan to help relieve pain, restore function, and get you back to living comfortably.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Why are foot X-rays important?
X-rays allow a podiatrist to diagnose fractures, arthritis, bunions, joint problems, and bone alignment issues.
Are digital X-rays safe?
Yes. Digital X-ray technology uses very low radiation levels and provides fast, high-quality images.
Why is in-office X-ray helpful?
It allows for immediate diagnosis and treatment planning without needing to visit an outside imaging center.
COMING SOON
Regenerative Medicine
PRP, shockwave/EPAT therapy, dermal filler injections, laser treatment for fungal nails, and therapeutic pain lasers, designed to support healing and relieve chronic pain without surgery.
Foot Care Products*
Our in-office store carries podiatrist-recommended foot care products, including moisturizing lotions and creams for dry or cracked skin, and protective pads for corns, calluses, and bunions. Ask Dr. Lakner or our front desk which products are right for your feet, and pick them up on your way out.
Products & Services Disclaimer
*Rockville Podiatry is an independently owned and operated care center that may promote and sell podiatric foot care products, including lotions, creams, and pads. Privia Medical Group is not responsible for these products or services. Privia's Authorization & Consent to Treat, Financial Policy and HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices are not applicable to these services or products.