Richard Handelman, DPM, PA in Baltimore: Foot and Ankle Surgery with Extended Evening Hours

Richard Handelman, DPM, PA is a solo podiatry practice in Baltimore offering medical and surgical foot and ankle care. He holds a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree and focuses on conditions ranging from bunions and neuromas to diabetic foot management and sports injuries. Unlike multi-doctor groups that dominate the Baltimore podiatry market, this is a single-practitioner office, which carries both continuity advantages and scheduling constraints.

What Handelman's practice actually is

Handelman operates as an independent podiatric physician and surgeon. He is licensed to perform foot and ankle procedures including bunion correction, hammertoe surgery, neurectomy, and arthroscopic interventions. The practice is not part of a larger medical system or franchise; it is a standalone office, which means referrals, scheduling, and clinical decision-making flow through Handelman directly rather than through a group protocol.

Podiatrists in Baltimore typically operate within three models: solo independent practices like this one, multi-doctor groups (Podiatry Associates of Maryland, Chesapeake Podiatry Group), and practices affiliated with orthopedic or hospital systems. Solo practitioners often maintain closer doctor-patient relationships but may have less flexibility around appointment availability and coverage.

Services and pricing

Handelman's practice covers both conservative (non-surgical) and surgical podiatry. Medical care includes management of plantar fasciitis, flat feet, heel pain, fungal nails, warts, and diabetic foot assessment. Surgical interventions include bunionectomy, hammertoe repair, neuroma removal, and ankle arthroscopy.

Pricing varies by procedure and complexity. Office visits for evaluation and conservative treatment typically range from $100 to $200 depending on whether imaging or advanced diagnostics are required. Surgical fees depend on the specific procedure; bunion correction, a common procedure, generally runs $3,000 to $5,000 in the Baltimore area, though the final cost depends on whether the surgery is performed in an outpatient surgical center or hospital facility and whether the patient carries insurance. Verify current fees directly with the office before booking, as surgical pricing and facility costs adjust annually.

Insurance is accepted; confirm your plan's coverage before the appointment, as podiatry benefits and deductible amounts vary by carrier.

How it compares to other Baltimore podiatrists

Baltimore has roughly 20 to 25 active podiatrists, distributed across solo and group practices. Chesapeake Podiatry Group operates multiple locations in the metro area and typically offers same-week appointments due to staffing depth. Podiatry Associates of Maryland, also multi-location, focuses on both routine and complex reconstructive cases and tends to have faster access for new patients.

Choose Handelman if you prioritize continuity with a single doctor and do not need urgent turnaround; if you need an appointment within days or prefer multiple-location convenience, a group practice is more practical. Handelman suits patients willing to plan ahead and patients with complex or recurring foot problems who benefit from seeing the same surgeon.

Who this practice suits and who it does not

Handelman's practice is best for patients with chronic foot or ankle problems who see a podiatrist regularly (e.g., diabetic foot care, recurrent bunion pain, athlete's foot management requiring specialized imaging). It works for patients scheduling elective surgery who can accommodate a single-doctor office's scheduling rhythm. It is less suitable for patients needing urgent same-day or next-day care; solo practices cannot reliably offer coverage when the doctor is unavailable.

First visit and diagnostic approach

A first visit typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Expect a thorough history of your foot and ankle symptoms, walking assessment, physical examination of both feet, and often X-rays or ultrasound if indicated. Handelman will discuss whether your condition requires conservative management (physical therapy, orthotic inserts, medications, injections) or surgical consultation. If surgery is appropriate, he will explain the procedure, recovery timeline, and alternatives.

Hours, location, and logistics

The practice maintains extended evening hours to accommodate working patients. Confirm current days and hours directly with the office before scheduling, as solo practices may adjust hours seasonally or adjust for surgical cases.

Street address, parking details, and whether walk-in appointments are accepted are details best verified by phone before your visit. Public transportation to podiatric offices in Baltimore varies by neighborhood; most practices recommend confirming transit access if you rely on MTA.

Why this practice earns its place in Baltimore

Handelman represents the solo practitioner model in Baltimore podiatry, offering continuity and direct surgeon access for patients with complex or recurring foot problems who do not require rapid-access clinics. His extended evening availability fills a real gap in Baltimore's podiatry landscape, where many group practices cluster daytime slots.