Stephen M Pribut, DPM

Doc wanted to perform surgery with in the first 5 minutes of meeting me. I ran the other way… went to another docter who said I didn’t need surgery, just need to stretch and wear better shoes…

I was training for a race and perhaps did too much too soon because before I knew it I had a mean case of Plantar Fasciitis. It hurt just to walk and was excruciating first thing in the morning.
I couldn’t live like that!
So I went to a podiatrist practically begging for a cortisone shot. She advised against the shot and encouraged me to continue to run and simply ice my foot afterwards.
Run on a painful injury? Um … So, I got a second opinion. Cue Dr. Pribut.
Wow! He is so knowledgeable and takes time to explain solutions with you. He too advised against the cortisone shot (ugh, I wanted instant relief) but he gave me a series of stretches to do, a prescription that would help the inflammation, and discussed orthotics (not pushy at all, just a helpful discussion).
Under Dr. Pribut’s care I was up and running (pun intended) in a matter of weeks.

Oy, have to downgrade from a respectable 4 to a 1. He missed a very basic diagnosis (neuromas) … even after I asked. I ended up suffering through his remedy for about a year (I know, should have sought a second opinion sooner). I’m just glad I didn’t get hooked on painkillers and finally had a great doc not to far away via Dr. Lazar.
If you don’t really need anything more than custom foot supports— go here. Otherwise run (hobble??) away as quickly as possible!

I had an appointment with Dr. Pribut in 2006. I received the bill for that appointment last week, yes that’s SIX YEARS later. Apparently, they billed my insurance, but there was $ 50 it did not cover, so his office sent a bill which they claim was lost in the mail and not returned to them by the Post Office until a week or so ago. I say apparently because I only keep my records for five years and so I have no idea if I previously paid that amount, or if insurance should have paid the full amount (I changed jobs and no longer have the same insurance). I understand that if the bill was lost in the mail, that’s not their fault. However, what business doesn’t send a second bill if the first one isn’t paid in a timely manner? I paid it because it’s such a small amount, but in 2006 I had an HSA that I could have paid this out of. Ridiculous.

I have to agree with the comments of Elaine R. and had a very similar situation with him. I found Dr. Pribut inattentive and his advice noneffective. I only started seeing improvements when I went to another doctor.

I went to Dr. Pribut because of the reviews and what appeared to be his subject matter expertise on running injuries but cannot recommend him at all!
I went in with two swollen ankles from training for a marathon. He focused on the right foot and not the left since it wasn’t as bad. The xray didn’t show anything and he determined it was a tendon issue and said I should be ok to run in a few days. I tried running a week later and couldn’t due to the pain.
I went back to Dr. Pribut and explained how my ankles weren’t feeling any better and asked for an MRI. He didn’t want to order one, and gave me sub par reasons saying that the MRI wouldn’t show anything that he couldn’t feel with his fingers, and I’m only increasing the cost of health care through excessive testing given that his approach to caring for my ankle wouldn’t change. Excessive Testing? Really? I insisted. The MRI showed I had a calcaneus stress fracture in my right foot and was put into an aircast. I should’ve found another Dr at this point.
About 2 weeks into Dr. Pribut’s care I mentioned my left foot was hurting just as much as the right and asked for an MRI. His diagnosis was that I was overcompensating for my injured right foot and that he wouldn’t order an MRI because my insurance provider would be upset at him for ordering another one, saying they would deem it to be excessive testing. He didn’t want to contribute to increasing the already high cost of health care. He also said, even if I had an issue with my left foot/​ankle, I wouldn’t be able to wear two aircast boots because it would be difficult to walk in them and I would risk injuring myself further with a potential fall, further increasing the cost of health care. He said the left foot would have to heal on its own. He then suggested I rotate my right air cast boot to my left foot a few hours each day (even though they had fitted it with a right foot insert). I wasn’t buying into this rotation suggestion.
I’m not a big user of health care and visit the Dr. only when I absolutely have to. Dr. Pribut seeing my frustration and concern offered to do an X-​Ray which showed nothing. He said to ‘trust’ him and to listen to his guidance otherwise I would run the risk of arthritis. Once I heard «trust me», I knew I had to find another Dr.
I went to an Orthopedic Dr. who was shocked at my situation and poor care that I received. She immediately put my left foot in an aircast and ordered an MRI. The MRI showed that I had a calcaneus stress fracture in my left foot! Unfortunately, I had been walking on my fractured left foot for 6 weeks before I received proper care. If I had the time, I would sue Dr. Pribut.
By the way, you CAN walk in two air cast boots just fine. In fact, I find myself walking past people.
I informed my insurance provider about my situation and they were shocked to hear I didn’t receive proper care. Dr. Pribut cares more about the cost of health care than providing basic care to his patients. Now because of him, I am seeing more Drs. to ensure that I do receive proper care. I guess he was out the day everyone else took the Hippocratic oath.
If you care about your feet, DO NOT go to Dr. Pribut.

I had a great experience with Dr. Pribut. He was professional, efficient, knowledgeable, and caring. He diagnosed me with plantar fasciitis, gave me some exercises to do, and told me what kind of shoes to buy and where to buy them. I ended up going to the store he recommended (Fleet Feed in Adams Morgan), and had a wonderful experience there as well. I was impressed that he did not immediately push inserts on me, and instead wanted to change me shoes and give me exercises. He also has a fantastic website with lots of useful information about common running ailments. Overall, he was clearly passionate and knowledgeable, and I would recommend him to whomever needs to see a podiatrist. Overall, with insurance, the entire visit came to about $ 11.

I found the office experience to be pleasant (I agree with all the reviewers about the office assistant being so nice), however be advised that if you’re looking to be fitted with orthotics that aren’t made of leather (such as rigid carbon fiber, or semi-​rigid thermoplastic composite or EVA material) then he’s not the right doctor for you. He won’t do them. Also just FYI he uses a Mac and wasn’t able to read the CD with my MRI in it. We had to request film (that took a week). Other than that, he seems quite knowledgeable and experienced.

Really took the time to listen to my problems and answer all my questions. I previously went to an orthopedic surgeon for this issue and he didn’t even touch my foot. Took me into the room almost immediately and saw me within 10mins of arrival.

I went to Dr. Pribut with a fractured toe and had a very good experience. His staff was kind and professional, and Dr. Pribut was patient and very knowledgable. They took x-​rays right in the office and Dr. P analyzed the injury and prescribed a course of treatment. All in all, a very good experience.

I went to Dr. Pribut based on Unilocal reviews… I especially appreciated finding such positive comments from fellow runners and decided to make an appointment. I wasn’t disappointed. Dr. Pribut took the time to genuinely listen to what I had to say and offer treatment options. By following his advice we were able to fix my foot issue non-surgically.definitely a bonus. If I have any trouble in the future, I won’t hesitate to return.

I’m a runner… a very active runner in fact. I’m always on my feet :) When I started experiencing pain in my knees and hips everytime I ran (and sometimes when I walked), I knew I had to find a good podiatrist to get me back on my feet, literally. After reading an article in RunnersWorld Magazine that quoted Dr. Pribut, I was determined to meet the guy that just made sense on paper. To my pleasant surprise, with one visit, Dr. Pribut was able to detect the problem and got me fitted for orthotics immediately. The pain went away completely and hasn’t returned since (knocking on wood). Dr. P knows what he’s doing!!! If you’re on the Cigna health insurance plan, procedures like orthotic fittings and the orthotics themselves are included!!!

I was pleased with my visit of Dr Pribut. He seemed knowledgeable and was certainly willing to answer all the questions, no matter how minor. I didn’t feel rushed at all.
His receptionist was really out of this world super nice for a doctor’s office receptionist.

i had a stress fracture in my foot and kept walking on it until it absolutely became unbearable. a friend recommended Dr. Pribut as a very knowledgeable physician who was also a runner and would sympathize with my situation. I called and was fortunate to go in the same day and was very pleased with my experience. He is very understanding and genuinely wanted to know about me, my training goals, and my lifestyle habits. Although I was in a boot for about 3 months, i can now walk in regular shoes and am training for my next big race… the right way!
His receptionist is the nicest lady ever. Clean office. Very professional. I thought it was an excellent recommendation from my friend.

My whole experience with Dr Pribut was great. It was easy to get an appointment through his office and the office manager was very accommodating and friendly on the phone. I got an appointment for a time that suited me and was seen promptly on arrival. Since I’m not a US resident, I was paying out of pocket but the rates are very reasonable for the service.
The office is clean and tidy with plenty of almost in date magazines to read… not that I had time to do more than flick through a few pages! Dr Pribut himself was lovely. It was obvious from very early on that he is very experienced and knowledgeable, particularly with regard to sporting and running injuries. He took a thorough history, examined me and explained his findings. He answered all of my questions, no matter how stupid and made sure that I was happy with everything when leaving. I was given reading material for after the consultation and he even answered a question I remembered later.
I would thoroughly recommend as a thorough, knowledgeable, empathetic and efficient clinician…