Dr. Jeffrey Tseng, DPM foot forward clinic
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(310) 300-797723326 Hawthorne Blvd Suite 195 in Torrance, CA 90505 |
get on a level footing |
with your healthcare |
you are more than just a patient |
get more than just a diagnosis |
Why We're Here
In an age where technological information systems are easily accessible to everyone, some people are more likely to self diagnose online than spend the time to go to a physician. Granted, a lot of information on the internet is informative and accurate. However it cannot provide a complete or focused physical exam or history, which is where the majority of diagnostic differentials are derived. Online tools can give you a broad idea of what may be bothering you, but they can never be used to definitively diagnose your problem. Dr. Tseng will take the time not only to diagnose and treat you, but to understand your goals in treatment, as well as to help you fully understand the cause, treatment, and likely outcomes of your pathology. He believes that patient compliance comes from patient education, and will not let you walk out of his clinic without all your questions answered. It's those patients that discuss their needs and the realities of treatment ahead of them who have the most successful outcomes. You will not be “on the clock†here, you will not be ignored, and you will not be just a patient.
A common misconception with pains and aches is that “it will get better on it’s own with rest.†This may be true for some pathologies, but a large number of diseases are progressive and will not resolve on their own. This misconception has lead to numerous amputations, drastic reconstructive surgeries, long term pain and immobility, and wheelchair bound patients. Preventative medicine is a practice that prevents onset of disease as well as early detection of pathologies. Our bodies have a very sensitive and specific system to notify us when there is something abnormal; Don’t ignore it. Dr. Tseng practices medicine with this belief and prefers to have the majority of his patients for checkups with good news rather than a schedule dominated by chronic pathologies which could have been prevented. When you come see us, you aren’t just taking care of a problem you’ve been dealing with, but also looking out for your future well being. We take the time to identify early signs and markers of possible diseases and pathologies to discuss in detail what you can do to help prevent their onset.
Because You're More Than a Patient
We'll Provide More Than a Diagnosis
Medical advancements have always been the goal of progressive research and studies. What does this mean to you as a patient? A lot in fact. A patient must realize that there is not only one type of treatment, medication or procedure for any given pathology. Through medical research and advancement, the new and latest procedures try to improve results and minimize risks and complications. This being said, medical studies are carried out based on a strict set of rules for a generalized population who all meet certain medical and demographic criteria. However, these demographic and medical criteria fail to account for much of what determines your needs as a person, not merely someone matching the criteria. Because of the numerous types of treatments for each pathology and realizing that each individual has a different lifestyle, activity level, treatment goals, and body type, Dr. Tseng will give you options in treatment plans that will best fit your needs and goals.
After all, your healthcare needs are more than medical: they’re social, professional, and personal. A broken ankle isn’t just a broken ankle, it’s missing the quarter-finals, it’s going to prom in ugly shoes, it’s not running around with the kids, and it’s losing vacation days at work. Dr. Tseng tailors treatment plans that more than meeting your medical needs, fit into your lifestyle and help you reach your health goals. After all, medicine is a service, and a patient is still a customer.
Who We Are
Dr. Jeffrey Tseng
Dr. Tseng began his journey into medicine during high school when he spent his free time setting up charitable works as the Vice President of his community’s Key club, a Kiwanis International school program, and as a Big Brother with the Asian Pacific Family Center near his hometown of Walnut, California. As a member of his high school track team, Dr. Tseng also adopted an early appreciation of the function of the foot and ankle in our health and daily lives.
These experiences led Dr. Tseng to pursue his interests at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he spent countless hours volunteering and shadowing physicians of various specialties at the UCLA medical center, particularly podiatrists. He eventually matriculated cum laude with his bachelor’s degree in Biological Chemistry and pursued his now matured passion for podiatric medical and surgical studies at the California School of Podiatric Medicine in Oakland, California.
During his studies in Northern California, Dr. Tseng diligently served as the Vice President of the California Podiatric Medical Student Association as well as developed a newfound appreciation for the climate of Southern California. He continued his post graduate training in Michigan at the Southeast Michigan Surgical Hospital (Kern Program) where podiatric surgical residency was first established in the US, and whose alumni list includes the forefathers of podiatric research, publications and procedures. After being trained by the best in his field, he continued his training as Chief Resident at the Fountain Valley Regional Hospital where he received additional surgical training from renowned orthopedic, vascular, general, and plastic surgeons in the Orange County. His education also derived from time spent working at the Veteran’s Hospital of San Francisco and Palo Alto, Oakland County Hospital, San Francisco General, Detroit Medical Center and Chaoyang Hospital of Beijing, China. Dr. Tseng’s three years of training has amassed hundreds of surgical cases, mostly pertaining to the lower extremities making him an expert in all pathologies of the foot and ankle.
He now practices in Torrance, California where he continues to serve the community with as much enthusiasm and sincerity as if nothing had changed since his high school days.
Emma Nazario
Emma is our Certified Medical Assistant. She graduated from Everest College, Medical Assistant Program, where she was the medical assistant ambassador and earned high honors at graduation. She is currently attending El Camino College with a Nursing Major. Emma loves dealing with people, and always an advocate for the good of the individual and treats her patients with compassion and respect. She is responsible for overseeing the day to day operations including: patient scheduling, registration, promoting excellent patient care and service, and maintain office policies and procedures.
Dr. Barry A. Wertheimer
Dr. Wertheimer completed his undergraduate studies at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Afterwards, he attended the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio and matriculated in 1964. Following a one year residency at St. Luke’s Medical and Children’s Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he spent three years as a Captain and a Podiatrist in the U.S. Army from 1965-1968. And in 1968, he opened his private office in Torrance community and has been here since. Dr. Wertheimer is past president South Bay Division and also past President of Los Angeles County Podiatric Medical Society. He was a delegate at the California Podiatric Medical Association continuously from 1970 to 2012. He is a Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Surgery and also a Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine. Having been in practice over 40 years means Dr. Wertheimer has established a respected reputation among his peers. Before his retirement, Dr. Wertheimer parted upon Dr. Tseng his knowledge, experience and blessings in carrying on his lifetime work in this community. The two continue to keep in contact to discuss medical issues as colleagues and friends.
Other Specialists We Are Proud to Refer to
Dr. David H. Stern MD
1218 Crenshaw Blvd Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 328-1181
Family Practice Physician
What We Do
We Specialize in Toes
Ingrown Toenails
Excessive curvature of the nail plate can be caused by trauma, shoe gear, foot structure, or genetics. These incurvations can cause a problem once they start to invade the skin folds around the nails. It is important to get it treated before any significant wounds form because of the risks of infection. There are both conservative and more aggressive treatments ranging from a simple nail trimming to a partial nail avulsion. We realize that each individual has different goals in the treatment of an ingrown toenail because of activity level, aesthetics, shoe gear, pain level, etc and we have a treatment option for each of your specific concerns.
Fungal Toenails
Various types of fungi, which exist naturally in our environment, can affect the nails or skin of the foot. When this occurs, it can not only present an aesthetic concern for people, but a hygiene issue as well. The nail or skin changes both visually and functionally which presents a more severe problem many. Treatments for fungal infections are standard separated by oral and topical modalities. Although both the effectiveness and recurrence rates are still much to be desired, Dr. Tseng performs noninvasive adjunct procedures to increase the odds in your favor.
Hammertoes
Hammertoes are rigid or flexible contractures of the joints of the toes caused by an acute or chronic muscle imbalance. The structural changes caused by hammertoes can lead to corns and calluses which is one of the body’s initial response to chronic pressure. Much like bunions, the severity is evaluated by both a physical and radiological exam and treatment options are recommended based on exam findings and patient goals.
Corns
Our skin normally contains a protein called Keratin for structure and texture. When a certain part of the skin is introduced to chronic friction, pressure or trauma, the body responds by increasing the amount of skin cells and keratin deposits in the region to minimize and redistribute those forces. Unfortunately, these naturally occurring hyperkeratotic, commonly referred to as corns, calluses, or thickened skin can present as painful lesions. Some of these lesions could also grow to affect our sweat glands, hair follicles, or joint range of motion. Since the lesion itself is caused secondarily to a primary pathology, the initial cause must be identified to accurately treat it. Here at Foot Forward Clinic, we take the time to understand what initially caused the body to respond by creating these lesions as well as minimize the pain the lesion may be causing.
Trauma
Injuries to the toes can occur in various ways including sports, dropping heavy items, stubbing the toes, insect or animal bites, shoe gear, toenail injuries, cuts or abrasions, etc. Although small, the toes have many structures that, if damaged, could lead to other problems. With any injury, the neurovasular structures must be assessed to maintain proper circulation and function. The misconception that toe injuries are minor, outside of crush or amputation, is attributed to the lack of public education on the topic. Each toe has multiple tendons, joints and bones which work in conjunction for proper function, balance, and mobility. In addition, the lack of soft tissues in the toes allow cuts and scrapes to easily access the bones which can lead to a serious infection needing IV antibiotics, daily wound care or amputations, especially for patients whose immune system is lower than normal. If you sustain an injury to the toes, it is recommended to have a podiatrist evaluate the injury in case any fracture or long term damage was sustained.
We Also Specialize in the Foot
Trauma (Tendon/Ligament Injuries, Fractures, Orthopedics)
Fractures, dislocations, cuts, sprains, and foreign bodies (splinters) are all examples of trauma that could be sustained in the foot and ankle.
Bunions
Bunions are the result of a number of factors which ultimately lead to biomechanical fault in the first tarsometatarsal joint in your foot. The degree of the deformity is evaluated by both a physical and imaging (usually x-ray) exam. Dr. Tseng has treated from the very mild to the extremely severe type of bunion deformities. His experiences in treating varying degrees of bunions gives him a wild arsenal to combat this pathology. Understanding that the fault is caused by a biomechanical fault, any treatment which is not purely symptomatic has to address the structure of the foot. Both conservative and surgical options have shown improvements in stabilizing the deformity. Although surgical options are usually more definitive, it is important to realize that it is not the only option. Dr. Tseng will work closely with you to choose the best option for your long and short goals.
Warts
Warts are caused by a virus known as the Human Papillomavirus. The warts can develop through contact with the virus from either the environment or another person. Although many remedies exist for treatment of warts, they all try to achieve the same thing: removal of the lesion. The lesion could be removed topically through blistering medications, freezing mechanisms, acid erosions, occlusion modalities, and so forth. Surgical excision is also an option for those who have failed topical treatments. Warts comes in many different shapes and sizes and may be mimicked in appearance by more malignant lesions so it is imperative that they are seen by a specialist especially if the lesion appears abnormal or has changed in shape or size.
Fungus
A fungal infection of the skin is commonly referred to as Athlete's foot. Various types of fungi, which exist naturally in our environment, can affect the nails or skin of the foot. When this occurs, it can not only present an aesthetic concern for people, but a hygiene issue as well. The nail or skin changes both visually and functionally which presents a more severe problem many. Treatments for fungal infections are standard separated by oral and topical modalities. Although both the effectiveness and recurrence rates are still much to be desired, Dr. Tseng performs noninvasive adjunct procedures to increase the odds in your favor.
Biomechanics and Structural (Flat Feet, High Arches, Instability)
Biomechanical and structural changes in the foot and ankle can lead to deformities which prevent your daily activities by causing pain or discomfort. Common pathologies include flat foot, high arches, limited or excessive range of motion of joints, instability, or difficulty in walking. The symptoms of pain are usually indicative of a direct injury or an overuse of a compensatory mechanism. Our bodies have an amazing ability to adapt and compensate for faults in biomechanical or structural norms by rebalancing and strengthening accessory or major muscle groups. Therefore it is important not only to address pain that you may have in a certain area, but to also address the initial pathology that lead to that symptom; you don't fix a leaky pipe by wiping up the water.
Arthritic Conditions
Arthritic conditions affect the function and stability of a joint in the body. These conditions including but are not limited to gout, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, lupus, and infectious. Any one of these conditions can cause pain with activity or even at rest which can severely affect your mobility and daily activities. A number of these arthritic diseases causes may be acute while others may be chronic. Early diagnosis and treatment is paramount to prevent additional damage to the joint or to slow the progress of chronic processes. Like everything else, both conservative and surgical options exist and are recommended based on the severity of disease and the goals of the patient.
Ulcers (Wounds)
Chronic or acute wounds of the body need certain criterias to heal in a timely and healthy manner, some of which include but are not limited to good circulation, nutrients, clean environment, body response to wounds, and treatment of the underlying cause of the wound. These wounds can be caused by trauma, edema (swelling), insufficient circulation, foot deformities, skin disorders and so on. The bones of the foot are very close to the skin and can readily become infected if proper treatment is not utilized. Any wounds of the lower extremity should be evaluated promptly by a specialist regardless of how minor you may perceive it to be because it can get worse before it gets better.
Diabetic Foot
A diabetic is prone to three generalized pathologies: Eye, kidney and foot problems. The concerns in the foot stem from a condition known as neuropathy where the sensory nerves of the lower extremity begin to deteriorate. People with diabetes need to be educated on proper shoe gear and supports, daily foot examinations and proper foot care at varying stages of the disease. Even if you may not be experiencing symptoms at the moment, it is recommended that all diabetics are seen by a podiatrist at least once or twice a year for evaluation since early detection of various pathologies caused by diabetes can prevent dramatic health concerns later on.
Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis, Bone Spurs)
Heel pain can be caused by a number of pathologies including but not limited to trauma, infections, neuropathic, neoplasms, muscle/tendon/ligament disease , arthritic conditions, or structural deformities. A common cause of heel pain is also the notorious plantar fasciitis which is experienced by close to 10% of the population. Heel pain needs to be treated by an experienced specialist because of the multifaceted factors that could contribute to a generalized symptom of heel pain. It is important to seek early treatment because some pathologies may be progressive and not necessarily get better on it’s own.
And More:
Shoes
Orthotics
Cysts
Blisters and Sweating
And We Specialize in the Ankle
Arthritic Conditions
Arthritic conditions affect the function and stability of a joint in the body. These conditions including but are not limited to gout, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, lupus, and infectious. Any one of these conditions can cause pain with activity or even at rest which can severely affect your mobility and daily activities. A number of these arthritic diseases causes may be acute while others may be chronic. Early diagnosis and treatment is paramount to prevent additional damage to the joint or to slow the progress of chronic processes. Like everything else, both conservative and surgical options exist and are recommended based on the severity of disease and the goals of the patient.