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Our Podiatrists | Pinnacle Peak Podiatry

What is a podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM), also known as a podiatric physician or “foot doctor”. Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg, including, but not limited to sprains and fractures, bunions, heel pain/spurs, hammertoes, neuromas, ingrown & fungal toenails, warts, corns and calluses. Podiatrists are the most qualified doctors to care for your feet. They complete four years of training in a podiatric medical school and three years of hospital residency training. This training is similar to that of other doctors. Podiatrists can be the first to identify systemic diseases in patients, such as diabetes and vascular disease.

Today’s podiatrists:

  • perform surgery
  • perform complete medical histories and physical examinations
  • prescribe medications
  • set fractures and treat sports-related injuries
  • prescribe and fit orthotics, insoles, and custom-made shoes
  • order and perform physical therapy
  • take and interpret X-rays and other imaging studies
  • work as valued members of a community’s health care team

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, there are an estimated 17,800 practicing podiatrist in the United States.  Podiatrists are in demand more than ever today because of a rapidly aging population.  In addition, according to the association, foot disorders are among the most widespread and neglected health problems affecting people in this country.

Picture of Dr. Cathleen McCarthy

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy was voted a “Top Doctor” in Phoenix Magazine’s April 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016 issues and is passionate about helping people get out of pain and back into their lives! Her training includes a Bachelor of Science from Auburn University, pre-med at University of Pittsburgh and she attended a four year program at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine where she earned the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. McCarthy completed a two year residency in Buffalo, New York in 2000 and moved to Arizona where she has been in private practice since that time. She is a foot and ankle specialist and spends her days treating patients of all ages for a multitude of podiatric problems. Her experience has been that if she can properly treat patients and get them through the healing phase, the next challenge is to get them into proper shoes and inserts so that the problem does not return. Dr. McCarthy is convinced that proper bio-mechanical control of the foot is crucial to preventing not only foot problems but knee, hip, and lower back pain.

Picture of Dr. Laura Linde

Dr. Laura Linde

Dr. Laura Linde is a board-certified podiatric physician, surgeon, and wound care specialist. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. Dr. Linde received a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, and completed a Podiatric Medicine & Surgery residency program at Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. Following residency, Dr. Linde worked in a high-volume, hospital-driven practice in suburban Chicago and served on the academic faculty of multiple residency programs to train future podiatric physicians and surgeons.

Dr. Linde has a deep experience managing a broad spectrum of foot and ankle injuries, wounds and other conditions, utilizing both surgical and non-surgical treatment options. She is passionate about the overall health of her patients, with a strong track record of designing treatment plans that restore functionality and reduce future complications. Dr Linde believes many podiatric conditions can be successfully treated with non-surgical approaches, including customized shoe gear and orthotic devices.

Dr. Linde lives in Phoenix and enjoys an active sports and outdoors lifestyle with her husband and two young children.