I can't tell you how saddened I am to write this review. I went to see Dr. Petko on several occasions for issues relating to my feet. I paid for the inserts, paid for the cortisone shots and therapy. I did this all out of network because I figured that as a runner, he would know feet. My pain didn't heal. At all. I still walk around with pain in my several hundred dollar inserts. Then, a few months later, I get a bill saying that I still owe money that my insurance didn't pay. I told the woman, very nicely, that while the cost was not much, I couldn't pay for something that I didn't receive: good medical care. Well, she disagreed and sent me to a collections agency. I was taken aback by this. Truly taken aback. If a patient says, "I still hurt," should the doctor call you back to see what was wrong? If I wanted cortisone shots, I would have just gone in network. Not out of network to be taken to a collections agency. Shameful business practice and I will, in case you guessed, never be back. read more

Since I went to Dr. Petko based on his positive Yelp review, I figured I owed him (and Yelp) a review of my own! I've been putting off getting new orthodics for about five years, out of fear of non-coverage, needing referrals, etc. Finally, i was desperate enough to face whatever potential financial hardship would come my way. From first phone call to the end of the appointment, they were great! The woman at the front desk was very friendly on the phone and when we were discussing appointment times, she was able to get me in that evening due to a cancellation- sweet! Also, she called me 20 minutes later to get a phone number for my insurance so that she could find out whether my plan would cover orthodics, which I thought was great. I had to wait about 45 minutes before I saw Dr. Petko, which was slightly frustrating. However, all the staff and Dr. Petko were extremely apologetic throughout my visit and the doctor let me know that an emergency broken ankle had come in... certainly more important than my foot moldings, so I understood and didn't mind that they made me wait! Like the other yelp review, Dr. Petko is very knowledgeable and spent a lot of time talking to me about my long history of running, injuries, and physical therapy. I don't know if it was because I had to wait so long or because i was the last appointment of the night, but it was refreshing to not have a doctor do the standard "friendly-but-i-got-another-appointment-in-fifteen-minutes-so-lets-hurry-it-up" attitude. I didn't find him to have a "stoic demeanor", though- he was very friendly and i felt like he talked to me runner-to-runner. It felt nice to have a doctor who can relate to and wants to look after my ability to continue doing what I love to do. Would definitely recommend! read more

Amazingly consistent service. High quality. Competent and attentive. He pays attention to your feet. Very thorough inspection and analysis. I would recommend him without hesitation. he also has a good sense of humor and is current of news events. Collen is amazing. She makes the appointments, sends reminders and assists with the treatments. I have been a client for many, many years. Trust me, there's something on everyone's feet. Dr. Petko will find it and get your fixed up real good and at a reasonable price. Thanks for your great service!! read more

Dr. Petko specializes in sports (particularly running) injuries. Some dummy had stomped on my foot with his cleat during a flag football game and I had a huge knot on my toe for months. Since it didn't go away, I decided to pay the "Sole Doctor" a visit. Don't let his stoic demeanor fool you. He was very knowledeable and thorough with his evaluation. He even x-rayed me two times to ensure nothing was wrong. He even gave me extra bandages to wrap my toe with. His nurses were also very nice and helpful - highly recommended. read more

I saw Dr Petko about pain in the ball of my foot. He was very thorough; x-rays, watched me walk, and explained the issue and his line of reasoning very thoroughly. I had a bad experience with a different doctor earlier in the year, so I appreciated him sharing his insights and attention. Furthermore, he has a running/athletic background which is great. I will be back. read more

Does anyone know what happened to Dr. Petko? I called his office today and the recording said "permanently closed due to an illness". I hope he is ok. read more

I went to Dr. Petko with two different problems: stepped on glass that two other attempts by (other) doctor had failed to remove; and an inflammation in my other foot with unknown origin. He took a very pro-active approach in getting the glass out: "cut and cauterize it." He did an excellent job. This was EXACTLY what I needed. He excised the entire affected area, leaving no chance that the tiny fragment of glass was still in my foot. Regarding the other foot, he suggested a very conservative approach: adhesive cushion supports under the foot to separate the metatarsal joints. At the surgery followup 10 days later, the foot he sliced into is almost completely healed and I am certain he got all the glass. The cushioned foot is feeling better and may completely recover as time goes on. I felt like he made two solid decisions: a surgical (aggressive) cure for one problem; a conservative "let's try this simplest fix" for the other. Great job and I no longer walk like my 90 year old auntie! read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Petko's since the late 1980's. Dr. Petko is very professional, patient and kind. Dr. Petko does not push treatments or products on you - he gives you his recommentation for treatment and its up to you whether you choose to go that route or make another decision entirely. He has never steered me wrong in terms of how to best care for my feet. The office itself is very clean and his staff is always professional and helpful. I have not had difficulty in getting an appointment in a reasonable amount of time - ever. read more

My family has been seeing Dr. Petko/The Sole Doctor since 2009. I have always been extremely satisfied with the care and service he has provided to all of us. We have seen him for a crushed big-toe, in-grown toenails, pronation, flat feet, orthotics, hammertoe, runners' knee, and most recently a fractured heal. When needed, Dr. Petko has seen us immediately, saving us a trip to urgent care or the ER. And his scheduled appointments run on time. I trust Dr. Petko to give us a correct diagnosis and prescribe the best possible treatment. In fact, we should have seen Dr. Petko first for the fractured heal which was initially misdiagnosed by someone else. Directions for at-home care are clear and thorough. Dr. Petko always stresses how critical appropriate at-home care is to the healing process. Finally, his staff have always been wonderful - caring, friendly, well-informed, and capable. read more

I would recommend Dr. James Petko/ The Sole Doctor for professional foot care. I was given Dr. Petko's name by a running friend because of persistent pain in my heel. I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis which is a common injury with runners. Unfortunately it's not that easy to get rid of. I tried some home remedies that I read on the internet for several weeks but without much success. After seeing Dr. Petko, he explained biomechanically why I was susceptible to the injury and proceeded to outline a conservative treatment program for getting me better. With some exercises and shoe recommendations I started to see progress right from the get-go. I think this guy is right on. He takes his time explaining things and he really listens. I also liked the fact that he is a runner. I would definitely recommend him. read more

Went to Dr. Petko for plantar warts. I was pregnant and the dermatologist could not remove them!! I had 2 rounds of surgeries and had a 0% success rate. Luckily he referred me to Dr. Halivus. read more

I managed Dr. Petko's office for almost 15 years and would highly recommend him to anyone seeking a Podiatrist, especially runners. As a runner himself, he empathizes with patients and does whatever he can to keep them doing what they love. His background as a teacher really lends itself to his practice as he really takes the time to explain to each patient his/her individual condition. I not only worked with him, I was treated by him over the years for various exercise-related injuries and always got great results. My father, who will turn 78 this year, still runs and works out thanks to the orthotics that Dr. Petko made for him. If you're looking for a comprehensive evaluation, coupled with the care and attention of a small office, you're not going to do better than Dr. Petko's practice. read more

When my daughter was suffering from a sudden foot pain from a sports injury, Dr. Petko was available to see her the same day I called (right before the Christmas holidays) and diagnosed the problem as a stress fracture. He was very cautious and careful to make sure he had isolated the area of the fracture and made sure he ruled other more severe problems. He took xrays, put her in a boot and gave her very strict but sound advice about sticking to the treatment plan and discontinuing sports and impact exercises. His appts. always run on time and his nurse is very thorough and professional, too. It's not a "factory" at his office, but I think that is his preference to remain a small operation. And frankly, it's a nice change from many of the other Dr's we go to that are rushed, have an overflowing waiting room with little to no time for personal attention. Although he doesn't have the most bubbly personality (what podiatrists do?), he thoroughly evaluates each patient and their symptoms, etc. The office is very clean and they are very good at fitting people in at the last minute or when you have to change your originally scheduled appt. time. read more