Douglas H Richie Jr, DPM

I am a long-​time runner and came to Dr. R. after debilitating neuromas in both feet. Following an orthotic tweak and several rounds of cortisone injections, I am 100% pain free two years later. I couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome. And, office staff is excellent in both the Los Alamitos & Seal Beach offices.

Dr. Richie made inserts for me for planter’s fascistic which were not to the specification that he had stated that they would be. upon notifying Dr. Richie of my desire to get what I was expecting, he initially seemed defensive; however, later stated that he would remake the inserts and of the softer variety which I wanted in the first place based on 2 years prior experience with other inserts. Dr. Richie agreed that he would do that. I replied stating that I would first give the initial set a full chance to work for me. Dr. Richie replied stating to let him know if I had any other issues. After approximately 2 months I replied to Dr. Richie that the inserts did not work out so well and that I wanted to accept his offer to make the soft version. Again, he replied very defensively stating that he does not allow patients to «self prescribe» which made no sense since he had already agreed to make them for me. After I pointed out his prior agreement to make me the softer inserts I received an email from one of his staff — «Dr. Richie has decided to no longer participate in your care». It seems obvious that Dr. Richie has helped many people and for that he should be appreciated. In my case, I feel that Dr. Richie had a highly arrogant and defensive attitude and he did not keep his word, however he did keep my money.

I had toe pain and Dr. Richie took that pain away. Need I say more… he is excellent! His office staff was kind and courteous and I was able to get into an appointment with short notice. This was my second visit to him. I highly recommend you try him.

Dr. Richie has treated my feet for several years and has always been caring and helpful. He has been respectful and concerned which, to me, is very important in a physician!

One visit with Dr. Richie (after seeing another podiatrist with zero results) alleviated the pain in my foot I have had for 10 years. I loved his approach and better yet the results. I can’t recommend him enough!

Foot pain for two weeks. Was able to make an appointment the day after I called. Almost made a pretty accurate self-​diagnosis — turns out I have tendinitis. After an X-​ray and physical exam of my foot, my foot was wrapped, instructions on care given, and I was out the door. Dr. Richie is a very nice, attentive podiatrist. Very friendly service all around.

I have to give this review/​shout it! I have never UnilocalED before, but this was worth doing! I have for almost a year now been suffering with a neuroma and some nerve damage from the shoes I’ve worn and a position I keep my foot in all day. I am working two jobs and have two kids and have no time to be laid up after surgery for the neuroma. So I was very much against it. So, Dr. Ritchie gave me and tried all my options and the last but not least, before the end result of having surgery he suggested RADIO FREQUENCY THEROPY. My neuroma is, of course, not in the usual place you find them. So he explained where I have it it still was worth a try. We had a ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ chance and better to try and hope I would be on the right side of the 50%. I was nervous when I went in didn’t know really what to expect. He walked me through it and there was hardly any pain pretty much nothing. He said it could take up to a month to see/​feel relief if it worked. I FELT relief TWO days later! I am about 90% PAIN FREE! Really hope this help someone considering this procedure. I would do it! Good luck to you and a HUGE THANK YOU TO YOU DR RITCHIE!!!
Karen Iwakoshi

I have been a patient of Dr. Richie’s for nearly three years now. He and his staff have been professional and always a pleasure to work with. While I am a happy patient with Kaiser and have DPM services available, at no additional charge, I sought out Dr. Richie — and paid for his services out of my own pocket — because he offered treatments, such as Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) for Morton’s Neuroma (my particular problem) and other foot problems that was not available for me at Kaiser. Dr. Richie was always straight and honest with me about the potential benefits and risks of RFA. I’ve been very happy with the results of being under his care and highly recommend him.

Luckily, I don’t have many foot problems, but when I do Dr. Richie is my guy.
He has always solved my foot related issues with skill and a smile. His staff is great. Friendly efficient and a pleasure to see on my visits. I highly recommend Dr. Richie and his staff!

I have been seeing Dr. Ritchie for the past few years because i SUFFER from plantar fasciitis in both feet. First, my right foot which I thought was bad until my left foot flared up. I could barely walk. Dr. Ritchie immediately diagnosed my foot problems and began treating them. He is knowledgeable, caring and very professional in his approach to treatment. He is an expert at treating athletes and sports injuries, which was part of the reason I chose him. As far as my treatment, I have recently undergone cortisone shots in both feet which he made virtually painless. He cast and fit me for orthotics which fit perfect and help reduce chronic pain. The left foot was so stubborn I decided to have Dr. Ritchie perform a radio frequency ablation procedure in hopes that the pain would end. I was so nervous because really, who wants needles and heat generating probes put deep into the heel of your foot??? Well, I had a fantastic experience even though i was quite a baby without provocation. Dr. Ritchie talked me through the entire process and took great care to ensure my pain was very minimal. I felt bad that I was such a whiner but even with all of that, he maintained his amazing demeanor and professionalism as did his nurse that was assisting. I cannot THANK Dr. Ritchie and his staff enough for taking time to explain things, to make sure I was always comfortable, and for curing or at least successfully reducing pain from my chronic foot problems. I drive from Claremont to Seal Beach to see him. Also I’d like to mention that my medical insurance (I have an HMO) does not cover his services, however, his fees are very reasonable. I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Ritchie and the Seal Beach Podiatry group! I can’t imagine anyone writing a bad review of this Doctor, but sadly, there are unhappy people out there who thrive on misery and nothing can be done to please them.

I have removed my honest and truthful remarks as not wanting to offend this business upon receipt of an email from Dr. Richie…
«I will give you 48 hours to remove your malicious, slanderous statements about my surgical outcomes and competency as a doctor. Your posts smear me as a professional, and I will take legal action against you and pursue all opportunity to obtain damages. You have crossed the line and I will not stand by and allow you to ruin my hard earned reputation.»
I only was giving my sincere comments so others can make their own decision in choosing a podiatrist. Yes he did fix my plantar fasciitus problem with orthodics… but since then my opinion has definitely changed allowing me to go thru hassles of finding a new doctor. Please check out ALL recent feedbacks. don’t just take my experience which maybe just my bad luck.

The staff is rude and inconsiderate. I took my wheelchair bound 90 year old mother to this office. The staff made me get her in and our of the chair, because it was «too hard for them». But they did not help me. I had to go find her wheelchair where they had put it. As I was struggling with the wheelchair and doors, none of the staff that was present helped. I would avoid this office

I found Dr. Richie via a web search regarding podiatrists who successfully treat plantar fascitis. I stumbled across a blog dedicated to marathon/​long distance running and a number of the bloggers highly recommended Dr Richie. One runner had driven from San Diego to be treated by him.
I had been suffering from chronic plantar fasciitis for 2 years. I’d gone from someone who ran 4 miles most days to someone who couldn’t walk around the block without significant pain. I tried every remedy that is currently being prescribed from night splints to stretching to custom orthotics and even 6 months of no running at all. All of these things helped but at the end of the day I was still basically crippled by this condition.
Dr. Richie put me in custom orthotics and 4 months of physical therapy which helped a lot but I was still in pain. He then broached the idea of nerve abulation. Basically this is a process where high frequency radio waves (think microwaves) are applied to the nerve serving the plantar fascia. The process interupts the pain signal from the plantar fascia. I was very sceptical at first but I was also desperate. After Dr Richie explained the process and the amount of success he’d had, I decided to go for it. The results are nothing short of extraordinary. My pain has gone from a 9 to a 1. The only time I even notice a slight discomfort is when I get up in the morning. Anyone who has had plantar fasciitis knows that this is the most painful part of the day. Prior to my treatment, there were mornings where it took me 10 minutes to get from the bed to the bathroom, now my feet «hurt» a little bit and 5 minutes later, there no pain at all. There were virtually no negative side affects from the nerve abulation process. There is no loss of sensation, no numbness, nothing.
Dr Richie is the kind of doctor all doctors should be. He listens, he answers your questions and he gets results. You can read about the nerve abulation process here

I also forgot to mention that I was snacking on a granola bar and didn’t realize that there was a sign on the window that was behind me saying no food, as soon as the woman told me to go out side to eat I immediately put the granola bar in my bag. The woman only asked me of this once. There was no disrespecting on my part. I don’t feel as if I was disrespectful, when it was a mistake. I do apologize for not knowing that there was a sign that said «no food allowed». I also do not believe that someone who did not know that you can not have a snack in the waiting room lacks respect and the ability to understand what rules mean and I don’t know any businesses that would respond to an unsatisfied visit with the response that they except all ages even when some of them lack common sense and respect? Instead of simply fixing the way the staff acts I am at fault? Because I had a granola bar (Not a five course meal) in the waiting room. Clearly to this business this means I lack common sense and respect.

Unfortunately for me, I chose the wrong father when it comes to feet and so have had nothing but foot problems since I was in my 30’s. I started seeing Dr. Richie in 1998 and he has done 6 surgeries on me and is about to do the seventh. He is smart, good at what he does, very kind and just a great doc who knows about all manner of foot issues.
I moved away for four years for my career and the podiatrist I went to was an idiot! I couldn’t wait to get back to Dr. Richie when I moved back and am quite relieved to be back in his good care again.

Amazing Doctor wow!!! He treated my oldest son, a high school student for plantar warts on the foot, a very common ailment of the wrestling sport! Tons of Wilson kids get treated here. He also surgically fixed a close friends bunion and its as good as new! Dr Richie has a wonderful bedside manner, he is warm, funny and such a consummate professional. The office staff are very sweet and the other doc, Dr Cook is also lovely! Highly recommend this practice to anyone needing any kind of foot surgery, podiatry needs etc. CM LONG BEACH

I was referred to Dr. Richie by a few runner friends. This was my first time seeing a podiatrist and I was VERY happy!
I bruised my heel, which caused peroneal tendinitis, and was in a lot of pain when I went in. I was also really nervous and worried about the diagnosis– thinking I would have to be in a boot or on crutches for a while. He took a look and was able to tell me what was wrong pretty quickly! He wrapped my foot, explained what I was to do for the next week, and prescribed some anti-​inflammatory. Voila, in, out, and relieved.
The nurses there were also very nice and helpful. The whole visit was just a pleasurable experience, and I would highly recommend seeing Dr. Richie.

Dr. Ritchie
Awesome person and knows his stuff. our whole family goes to see him.
I have had surgery with him and I did have a previous Dr before him. Needless to say, I prefer Dr. Ritchie.
I wouldn’t want my feet anywhere else and I need my feet to feel good so I can go to more recommended Unilocal businesses!

I went to Dr. Douglas based on Amy’s write up from 2008 and also insurance and close proximity in 2010. Ever since, I have gone to him for 2 feet issues. The 2^nd one was 2010 when I went to see him PTT (posterior tibial tendinitis). Ever since seeing him, I have done 1 Marathon, 2 Half Marathons, numerous triathlon events including Vineman Half Ironman.
Highly recommended,
Joseph

I just went in for my one month post op check up. My feet have healed up beautifully. Dr. Richie answered my questions thoughtfully and was very attentive to my particular concerns about when I could walk and cycle… the swelling etceteras.
He was very genuinely interested in my upcoming hiking adventures. The pin extraction from my hammer toe correction was painless. Just a bit of stretching pressure. He went over the Tailors bunion X-​ray to show me the difference and how nicely the bones were fusing back together. The results and recovery from the surgery are a testimony to his skill as a surgeon and concern about my feet and their activity.