Howard G Osterman, DPM

I so should give this place 5 stars because the treatment I received was quick and painless. This morning my toe feels AMAZING!!! The woman who saw me was well spoken with a gentle disposition.
My issues were. The office could use a facelift. DATED. It’s not very big I can’t imagine it would cost THAT MUCH to make it look nice.
My BIGGEST ISSUE was the fact that I thought I was going to see Dr. O.
When I got in the room the nurse stated that Dr. T would be in to see me. I thought to myself «who the heck is Dr. T…»
But whatever. I had a bit of infection due to a nasty pedicure I got (Review is here). My toe is brutally killing me! I’ve NEVER Experienced such!
Oh well! Dr. T drained it and I was FINE!!!

I have had agonizing pain and really appreciate Dr. Osterman’s care. He seems thorough, and find solutions rather than running up charges with the insurance company. Love that he ‘makes’ and customizes different foot care and inserts, rather than having me buy pricey equipment. The whole practice runs well, always on time, everyone both efficient AND personable and cheery! I’d give 5 stars but I’m not cured yet, so I’ll revise when I’m pain free or at least pain/​managed! And besides running a great practice, he has great values… volunteers with homeless projects and saving wildlife too. Couldn’t ask for anything more.

Have been going to Dr. Osterman for years. Always feel he’s giving me the best possible care. Highly recommended.

Dr Osterman has helped me through my torn tendon in my right toe
The previous doctor I went to didn’t even bother to schedule me for an MRI.
Osterman took one look at the x-​rays and told me to get an MRI.
Turns out first doctor was way wrong.

Just left dr. Ostermann’s office. He is competent, courteous and explains everything so you too completely understand what’s going on! His staff were also nice and professional. Highly recommend his practice!

Just left Dr. Osterman’s office and it was a great experience. Dr. Osterman was patient and deliberate in explaining the mechanics of my issue. I left his office feeling much better and ceratinly much better informed. Would highly recommend him and his practice!

I had a very positive experience with Dr. Osterman and I recommend him, especially for athletes with ankle/​foot injuries. I am an avid runner with a goal to run a marathon in every state. I fractured both the Tibia and Fibula in my left ankle during a marathon in late January, 2015 and I was referred to Dr. Osterman. Dr. Osterman was wonderful to work with and my injuries have recovered completely under his medical guidance. What I appreciated most about Dr. Osterman is that he explained everything clearly to me so that I understood X-​rays, treatment and the bone healing process; this helped me follow his guidance and keep myself from trying to run during recovery, which is not an easy thing for a runner to do: P He had me back running by early April and I completed a marathon in June with no pain in my ankle.
I am very grateful to Dr. Osterman for getting me back running!

Dr. Osterman is a great guy and completely cured my plantar fasciitis. I had been suffering for years, and he treated it with a shockwave machine. It was sore for a few days but I have been pain free in that foot for several years now. I’m going to see him soon though because now my other foot is bugging me.

I just saw Dr. Osterman this morning, the appointment could not have gone better. He assessed and fixed my foot quickly, professionally… and painlessly. He also took the time to explain what he was doing, which I appreciate very much.
His office staff was quick, professional an polite. Overall a great experience.

I was having really bad foot and ankle pain and went to see this doctor. After about 4 visits he still couldn’t figure out what it was but happily said he thought it might be lupus.
I was really not convinced so I sought a second opinion. Turns out I have plantar fascitis. The other podiatrist gave me exercises and insoles, which greatly alleviated the pain within a matter of a week.
How can dr Osterman be a podiatrist and be unable to diagnose one of the most common foot ailments?
Even though that seems like a minor inconvenience compared to the above, the front desk staff is the rudest person ever, especially with women. I once sat in the waiting room for half an hour and watched her be nice to the guys and just rude and nasty to any women who came in. Go figure…

I’d needed bunion foot surgery for years and years, but had always put it off, as I’d heard horror stories about grossly unbearable post-​op pain, and unreasonably long recovery periods, coupled with complete immobility. No thanks. Count me out. I’m good.
When it became clear that surgery was going to be a necessity, I went to a geographically-​desirable foot doc for a consult. «Two weeks in bed, mandatory,» he said. «Crutches to/​from the the bathroom, and for six weeks post-​op. No exceptions. No driving for six weeks.»
Not only did I not care for what this doc was telling me, I did not care for this doctor personally. He was abrupt, dismissive, he didn’t look me in the eye, and he sighed whenever I asked him a question. He was the last person I wanted near my feet. I took to social media for help, and came back with a referral for Dr. Osterman. Best recommendation ever.
Dr. Osterman, in addition to having a wonderful bedside manner, is really just the most fantastic foot surgeon. Crazy good. It’s a nice combo: radiating warmth and competence in equal parts. He thoroughly explained to me the surgery and the recovery period, and answered every question I had.
Post-​op, there was no pain — NONE. I had to lay around the house for 4 days, but I was able to walk around a bit on the boot (I actually walked around a lot on that boot — and it was fine). No crutches. After 4 days, I was driving, walking my dogs (in the boot), and living a normal life. My friends who’d had the same surgery were all incredulous at the absence of pain and the swift recovery time. Seriously, they were stunned. I guess those horrible experiences I’d referenced earlier were shared by them. Friends who were considering the surgery for themselves took down Dr. Osterman’s info. From what I’ve heard, at least several friends have since gone to him, and all were delighted by the experience and think him just as great as I do.
I’m going in next year to have the other foot done. I think it speaks volumes that I’m not dreading doing so, not even a little bit. Dare I say I’m excited?
Okay, maybe not excited. But definitely not sweating it either. Thanks Dr. Osterman!

I saw Dr. Ba for two plantar warts that I’d had for about 2 years and just wouldn’t go away. He shaved them down and used a blistering solution to get rid of them. I thought it would take several trips and a lot of pain, but in the end it only took two visits and they appear to be gone! He was very good with the scalpel and managing my pain (apparently I’m a freak of nature and have a scary high pain tolerance…) and I felt confident that he was recommending the best course of treatment for me. He was also very personable and friendly. I’m so glad I got rid of them with relatively little trouble! At my follow up he even removed a small hematoma under my toenail for no extra charge. I would definitely go back to him if I had the need! The only reason I’m giving 4 stars is because the front desk staff seemed a little disorganized and could have been a little friendlier. Other than that, great experience!

When I came here 6 wks Ago I could barely walk from the footpain. after consultations and orthotics I am healed. These folks are great!

I had a terrible experience with this clinic regarding problem with my foot. First of all, I hadn’t realized that podiatrists are not actual doctors until a friend told me last week — they don’t have actual medical degrees! — and so if you’re searching for real expert advice, seek out an orthopaedic specialist who focuses on foot/​ankle issues. It’s worth it to find a good one. Clearly podiatrists have a lot of value in a number of areas, but they were not at all helpful in my case.
Dr. Osterman assumes a ‘care-​free, jovial’ presence and seems eager to provide «instant diagnoses» in a somewhat flippant manner, perhaps as a way to indicate his prowess in the field? I wish he had put more thought into things.
I saw him three times, and he completely misdiagnosed my condition and provided me with a ‘rehab’ plan that actually made things *worse.* He was also quick to prescribe strong anti-​inflammatories and to administer a cortisone shot.
I found out recently, after visiting an MD on the topic, that this treatment plan and the provided orthotic were completely useless all of these months. Moreover, there was no need for a cortisone injection. Even without an MRI, the answer was clear — I have a claw toe and I needed a toe-​straightener insert!
I immediately felt relief after three months of previous agony. Really frustrated that this wasn’t determined earlier and that I unnecessarily suffered for so long.

I previously visited another podiatirst for my issue and was very disappointed with my experience. As a result, I was ecpecting the same from my visit today with Dr. Osterman. This experience was the complete opposite. — He was friendly, patient and very informative. — Though his receptionist could have been a litte more pleasant, I would recomment him to any one seeking my advice.

I had a great experience with Dr Osterman. He’s very friendly and solved my issue. I could tell he has a good repor with his staff as well. I did have a 20 min wait to see him each time. And I was a bit unhappy about having to pay for a follow-​up appointment just to check in to say everything is going ok.

I hesitate to be too critical because I only gave him one shot. But he misdiagnosed my problem pretty badly. I had come in with foot pain after using vibrams. As soon as he heard that, he felt sure he knew what the problem was. He taped it up, told me I had plantar fascitis, gave me a prescription for ibuprofen and said come back in two weeks. I was the sixth plantar fascitis case he’d seen that week, which had resulted from vibrams, and we were keeping him in business. That was a long time ago. I have since done literally hundreds of hours of research into my condition, and can’t figure out how on Earth he could have come to the conclusion it was plantar fascitis. The pain was not focused in my heel and it is not present when I wake up in the morning.
He didn’t cause any harm, and he did seem like a genuinely nice guy. It is possible that if I had continued to use him he would have reconsidered his initial evaluation, and improved my treatment strategy. (I still don’t know for sure what it is, but Morton’s neuroma is the leading candidate.) So I think it would be unfair to give him one or two stars. However, rushing to a diagnosis based solely on the cause of the ailment, rather than on the symptoms seems like a pretty lame mistake. Hopefully, he has since done a lot more research on vibrams and the damage they can cause. From my own research, those awful things are tearing apart feet in quite a variety of ways, not just plantar fascitis.
My bottom line for you is if you are unsure of your diagnosis going in, then do a lot of research on-​line before you see him. Be prepared to challenge what he comes up with. Your problem just might be unique, and you might not benefit from getting the popular diagnosis of the day.

I have been seeing Dr. Osterman for many years. He has a good bedside manner-​he is nice, funny and knowledgeable and has managed my condition well. I like that there is minimal reliance on PAs and nurses in this practice. When you have an appointment, the majority of your time is spent with the physician. Similarly, if you need to talk to them, the doctor is the one calling you back, not a nurse or PA. That sort of personal service is extremely reassuring when I am having an emergency.
I also had surgery with Dr. Osterman. I really liked that he didn’t overmedicate me with painkillers. I was never in pain on his regimen, but I was also not knocked out for a week afterward, either. He was extremely accessible before and after the procedure and encouraged me to be in touch about any problems. He checked on me frequently to be sure things were going well. I recommend Dr. Osterman highly, both for care of chronic conditions and as a surgeon.

Dr. Osterman really puts his best foot forward — pun intended! He is both friendly and competent — professional and caring. He listened to my concerns, and he took the time to explain his diagnosis and recommendations thoroughly and clearly.
I have never, ever had a visit with any medical professional that was as smooth and patient-​centered as this visit was! Kudos to Dr. Osterman for creating and sustaining such a great podiatry practice. He has undoubtedly earned every single 5-​star rating on this site!

My last podiatrist was difficult in scheduling appointments and no longer close to where I lived. I turned to Unilocal for a new doctor, and found Dr. Osterman.
I originally went to see Dr. Osterman for treatment of a patch of warts and for calluses. The warts had come back after being dug out (very painful and long recovery) a year before. Dr. Osterman wanted to try a less invasive cream treatment before doing any digging, icing, etc. The cream worked really well and my warts cleared up, without any of the pain of the other procedures. He also shaved down my calluses over a couple of visits and fixed my orthodics (after making sure I found them and started wearing them again).
I was done with treatment and then a week later had terrible pain in my foot, so bad I couldn’t walk on it. I just showed up at Dr. Osterman’s office first thing in the morning without an appointment. Dr. Osterman could not have been more accommodating and nice: he worked me into his schedule then and there, had x-​rays done in office and saw there was swelling in my foot joint, and gave me a shot of cortisone and a prescription to treat the pain and reduce the swelling. He was above and beyond nice, saying that if it was still bothering me to please come back and see him, even at his Bethesda office over the weekend. He also urged me to give him a call to let him know how I was doing.
Dr. Osterman and his office staff were nothing but nice, professional and accommodating. I would highly recommend his podiatry practice and appreciate his concern for his patients and in trying to treat problems the least invasive way.