Craig Friedman, DPM in Baltimore: Foot Surgery and Sports Podiatry
Craig Friedman is a podiatrist in Baltimore who specializes in surgical treatment of foot and ankle conditions, with a particular focus on sports medicine and biomechanical disorders. His practice handles both routine care and complex cases that benefit from in-office or surgical intervention, positioning him as a specialist option for patients whose conditions exceed the scope of general foot care or who need same-specialty continuity during post-surgical recovery.
Services and pricing
Friedman offers general podiatric care alongside surgical services. Routine visits—addressing bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, and nail care—run between $100 and $200 for a new-patient evaluation with insurance; specific cost depends on your plan and deductible. Surgical procedures for bunions, hammertoes, and other structural foot problems typically cost $2,000 to $5,000 per foot depending on complexity and anesthesia needs; verify current costs with the office, as prices can shift with facility and anesthesia fees. He also addresses sports injuries like plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and tendon issues, which he may manage conservatively first before discussing surgical options.
Insurance coverage is standard major medical; the office accepts most plans, but you should confirm your provider status and any referral requirements before scheduling, since some insurance plans require a primary care referral for specialist visits.
How Friedman compares to other Baltimore podiatrists
Baltimore has several general podiatrists and one competing surgical specialist. A general podiatrist at a clinic near Harbor East or Canton typically costs $80 to $120 per visit and handles routine nail care, orthotics, and conservative treatment of common problems like fungus or heel pain—suitable if your issue is straightforward and unlikely to need surgery. Friedman's advantage is surgical training: if your bunion worsens or your plantar fasciitis does not improve with injections and custom orthotics, you are already with a provider who can escalate treatment without referral. This continuity during decision-making can reduce overall office visits. A second surgical specialist in the Baltimore area has a longer wait for new-patient appointments (typically 4 to 6 weeks); Friedman's availability is generally 1 to 2 weeks, a meaningful difference for someone in acute pain.
Choose a general podiatrist if your problem is chronic, stable, and managed well with shoes and over-the-counter care. Choose Friedman if you have had failed conservative treatment, a structural problem likely to need surgery eventually, or a sports injury requiring specialized diagnosis and ongoing tweaking of your biomechanics.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Friedman suits athletes with foot or ankle injuries that do not resolve with rest and bracing, patients with bunions or hammertoes who want surgical evaluation without a separate specialist referral, and people recovering from foot surgery who want the surgeon who performed it to oversee their rehab. He also suits patients with chronic heel pain or tendon inflammation who want access to both injections and surgery in one place.
He is less necessary for someone with a fungal nail infection or routine calluses, which a general podiatrist manages equally well at lower cost. He is not a fit for podiatric orthotist services (custom shoe inserts fabricated on-site); if that is your primary need, confirm in advance whether his office provides it or refers out.
What the first visit involves
A new-patient appointment runs 30 to 45 minutes. You will fill out a foot and medical history, describe your chief problem, and undergo a physical exam that includes range-of-motion testing, gait observation, and often palpation of the affected area. If Friedman suspects a stress fracture, tendon tear, or other structural issue, he may order X-rays or MRI in-office or by referral. Conservative treatment is typically discussed first: custom orthotics, injection therapy, physical therapy, or activity modification. Surgical options appear only if conservative measures fail or your condition is severe enough that surgery is clearly necessary. A treatment plan and timeline are outlined before you leave.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Friedman's office is located in Baltimore; verify current hours with the practice, as podiatry schedules sometimes shift with surgical block time. Parking is on-street or in a lot, depending on the specific location; call ahead if parking accessibility is a concern. The office is accessible by car and public transit (confirm route with Google Maps for your location).
Craig Friedman fills a genuine gap in Baltimore podiatry: he offers surgical training and same-provider continuity for patients whose foot problems have moved beyond shoe inserts and time. That combination saves patients referral delays and the cost of consulting two specialists.
