Hoffman Arlene F DPM PhD

My new orthotics have me hiking and walking happily again. Dr. Hoffman was thorough and didn’t finalize the new pair til she was sure all the adjustments she was adding to my old pair were perfect. She knew what was needed to take the pressure off my congenitally problematic feet. Whahoo for my bad foot’s new lease on life! Walked Lake Merritt yesterday with NO PAIN!!! WARNING: Parking in the area is not fun!!!

Probably the worst doctor I’ve ever gone to. She might me good if it’s a simple corn/​bunyon or similar but just wretched for any other more involved problem. I would have sued her for malpractice but the lawyers I talked said that I had to be maimed or killed to sue. Suffice it to say that the treatment under her «care» was so horrific that I came very close to never walking properly again.
Several times I caught her committing what appeared to be insurance fraud using my acct to increase the cost to my insurer. She would change the number of the procedure on the form so that she was compensated at a higher rate then tell me that my insurance co. made an error with the numbers. I’ve been with the same insurance company since the 1990s and it never ever happened before or since. And it happened on 5 different visits to her office.
She was super unprofessional… pulling her girlfriend aside [they may be married now that it’s legal] into a separate room during my appt to gossip about the previous patient. I knew that’s what they were doing because 1. I could hear every word and 2. she told me when she came back in. When I asked her why that couldn’t wait until after my appt she said, «oh it was too funny.» Uh… not to me it wasn’t. That was 10min of them gossiping while I waited in pain.
She delayed telling me about a possible procedure that could have saved me months of pain until I was fed up and quitting her practice. Suddenly she had all kinds of ideas.
If I could give negative stars I would. Don’t listen to the meager other 2 reviews.
DO NOT SEE THIS DOCTOR. If she hasn’t retired yet… she should. She’s a menace.

I have had foot issues for the last four years. Before consulting with Dr. Hoffman, I had seen at least five other podiatrist/​orthopedic surgeons about these issues. None of them could help me. When the surgeries they suggested did not work, they essentially threw up their hands and said that I’d have to live with constant pain for the rest of my life. Dr. Hoffman was different. She listened. She spent considerable time reviewing my history and conducting exams. And she didn’t give up on me. I think I’m now getting better, finally. I would highly recommend Dr. Hoffman, especially for folks with complicated foot issues and for people having second thoughts about surgeries suggested by their treating physician.