Emerald Coast Foot and Ankle Center treats patients from Destin at our Pensacola office, about an hour west along US-98 or I-10. We do not have a Destin location. People make the drive because Dr. Carl Speer, DPM is a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon who handles most problems in one practice, from a first exam and X-rays to in-office minimally invasive surgery, without handing you off to a hospital system.
A Podiatrist Destin Patients Choose for Foot and Ankle Care
Destin feet work hard. Long shifts on tile floors in restaurants and rental properties, miles of walking on soft sand, flip-flops for most of the year and a lot of running, cycling and paddle sports all put steady load on the heel, the arch and the joints at the base of the toes. That shows up as heel pain in the morning, a bunion that no longer fits in work shoes, a toe that has started to curl or a tendon that aches after every run on the Harbor boardwalk.
Dr. Speer is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. He completed a three-year residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he served as chief resident, and then the Southeast Permanente Foot and Ankle Trauma and Reconstructive Surgical Fellowship in Atlanta, a program recognized by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Ours is a solo private practice, so you see the same doctor at every visit.
Conditions We Treat for Patients From Destin
- Bunions and bunionettes. Painful bumps at the big toe or little toe joint, often made worse by narrow work shoes. See bunion and bunionette surgery.
- Hammertoes and curled toes. Toes that bend at the middle joint and rub on shoes. See hammertoe surgery.
- Heel pain and plantar fasciitis. Sharp pain with the first steps of the day, common in people who stand for work.
- Tendon pain. Achilles and posterior tibial tendon problems in runners and active adults. See tendon pain treatment.
- Ingrown and fungal toenails. Treated conservatively where possible. See non-surgical ingrown toenail care and toenail fungus treatment.
- Corns, calluses and shoe pressure. See corn and callus removal and custom orthotics.
Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery Worth the Drive
Many Destin patients come to us after being told that bunion or hammertoe surgery means a large incision, weeks off their feet and a long recovery. Our practice is the home of the InvisiFoot™ minimally invasive surgery method. Using small incisions and specialized instruments, Dr. Speer can correct many bunion, hammertoe and bone spur problems in the office rather than an operating room. Smaller incisions generally mean less scarring and a faster return to normal shoes than traditional open surgery, which matters when you work on your feet in a tourist town.
Surgery is not the first step for everyone. When conservative care makes sense, we start there: footwear changes, padding, custom inserts, medication or regenerative podiatric medicine. If those do not give you lasting relief, you get a clear explanation of the surgical options, the expected recovery and the cost before anything is scheduled. More detail is on our minimally invasive podiatric surgery page.
Planning Your Visit From Destin
Because the trip takes a bit of planning, we try to make every visit count.
- Fill in your new patient forms before you leave home so your appointment starts with the exam, not paperwork.
- Bring your current shoes and any inserts. Wear patterns on an old pair tell us a lot about how your foot moves.
- Bring outside imaging or records if you have them. We also take X-rays in the office, so you do not need a separate imaging appointment.
- Ask about follow-up timing. We plan post-procedure checks with your commute in mind.
Our office is at 4313 Spanish Trail, Pensacola, FL 32504. We are open Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 4:30pm and Friday from 8:00am to 12:00pm. You can call or text us at (850) 660-7778.
Insurance for Destin Patients
We are in-network with all major insurance providers, excluding Medicaid, and we accept out-of-network plans. Coverage for surgery depends on your specific plan, so our team checks your benefits and gives you an estimate before treatment. You can read more about insurance and surgical costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a podiatrist office in Destin?
Our only office is in Pensacola. Destin patients visit us there, usually about an hour away depending on traffic and the route you take.
Do I need a referral to see Dr. Speer?
Whether you need a referral depends on your insurance plan. Many patients book directly. Call us and we will check your plan before your first visit.
Can I have foot surgery done in the office?
Many minimally invasive bunion, hammertoe and toe-straightening procedures can be done in our office. Dr. Speer will tell you at your consultation whether your case is suited to an in-office approach.
How soon can I be seen?
As a solo private practice, we keep wait times short and offer prompt appointments. Request an appointment online or call us to find the next opening.
Request an Appointment
If foot or ankle pain is keeping you off the beach or making your workday harder, you do not have to put up with it. Request an appointment with Emerald Coast Foot and Ankle Center, and Dr. Speer will find the cause and walk you through your options. We also see patients from nearby communities, including Niceville and Navarre.