Meet Our Doctor

Learn Who We Are

  • Dr.
    David Petersen

    Dr. David Petersen was raised in Westminster, California where he graduated from La Quinta High School.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology from Brigham Young University in 1994...

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Questions or Comments? We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services

 

Orange County Podiatrist

Welcome to Pacific Foot & Ankle Center
– A Podiatry Corporation


WE ARE OPEN AND READY TO HELP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES.  PLEASE BE ASSURED THAT WE ARE TAKING ALL STEPS TO SANITIZE OUR COUNTER-TOPS, WAITING ROOMS AND TREATMENT ROOMS.  

WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU WITH CUSTOM ORTHOTICS, HEEL PAIN, SPRAINED OR BROKEN ANKLES, INGROWN NAIL TREATMENTS, X-RAYS AND FOOT & ANKLE CARE.  WE OFFER FACE-TO-FACE PHONE CONFERENCING (TELE-HEALTH) AS NEEDED.  

PLEASE CALL US FOR AN APPOINTMENT.  (949) 855-1177

Our priority is to deliver quality care to informed patients in a comfortable and convenient setting.

We are in network with the following insurances:

MEDICARE, ANTHEM, BLUE CROSS / BLUE SHIELD, BLUE SHIELD OF CA, CIGNA, AETNA, HEALTHNET, UNITED HEALTHCARE, TRICARE and others.  

Our Laguna Woods office is located in the Valencia shopping center off of El Toro Rd. and Paseo de Valencia right across the street from the Laguna Hills Mall and Saddleback Memorial Hospital.  

We serve patients from the surrounding communities of Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, Laguna Canyon, Laguna Niguel, Ladera Ranch, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Dana Point, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Placentia, Yorba Linda, Cerritos, Cypress, Los Alamitos and Laguna Woods. 

Dr. Petersen and Dr. Dahl see patients here Monday-Friday and by appointment only on Saturday mornings.

We are proud to announce our DIGITAL X-RAY which provides great detail and aids in diagnosing the most severe foot injuries and pathology. 

We are also happy to announce our New 3-D IPAD orthotic scanner from KLM Laboratory. This machine allows us to take a precise 3-D image of both feet. This image is scanned and sent immediately to our KLM orthotic Laboratory where a custom orthotic is produced to help alleviate various foot pains including: plantar fasciitis, flat feet, neuromas, foot bursitis and tendonitis, high arches and Achilles tendonitis. 

Our third state of the art device is the REMY Class IV laser which helps us treat onychomycosis commonly known as toenail fungus, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and wart removal.  The laser treatment is not a covered service by insurance. We have reasonable cash fees to treat 1 infected toe to 10 toes. The treatments include 3 or more laser treatments to eradicate the fungus and return your toes to their happy healthy state so you can wear sandals and open toed shoes again confidently!  The laser also has treatment options to treat plantar fasciitis (arch and heel pain), tendonitis, Achilles pain and neuromas prior to considering cortisone injections or other surgical procedures.  Using the laser gives an option to avoid surgery, injections and allows you to return to your feet immediately.  

Our fourth innovative treatment option is EPAT or shockwave therapy provided by Curamedix.  This technology allows us to treat chronic (6 months or more) plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis and other foot ailments.  No needles, no anesthesia and patient can return to daily activities.  It generally requires 3-5 visits weeks apart.  This treatment option is not covered by insurance.  We use this service to help prevent people from having to go to surgery.

Dr. David Petersen has served Ladera Ranch for the last 10 years. We are currently looking for a new location in Ladera.  We serve patients from the surrounding communities of Rancho Santa Margarita, Las Flores, San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Sendero, Esencia, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Mission Viejo and of course Ladera Ranch. Dr. Petersen is excited to be the first foot and ankle specialist practicing in the community of Ladera Ranch since 2010. He enjoys treating the active community of sports enthusiasts including: runners, walkers, bikers, soccer, basketball, baseball & volleyball players. He helps treat patients with painful heels, bunions, ingrown nails, fractures and ankle sprains.  We also provide custom foot orthotics for all types of feet for children and adults. We perform surgery at Prime surgical center in Foothill Ranch and the Surgical Center at Saddleback Memorial Hospital.

You can even email a request for an appointment right here!

We hope you find this web site useful and invite you to contact us with your questions at any time.

Dr. David Petersen was fortunate enough to teach the children at Oso Grande Elementary about the basics of podiatry. He discussed the basic skeletal anatomy of the foot, ankle and leg with the children. He showed the children how doctors dress for surgery and the importance of keeping their feet safe and clean. Over 40 children participated in the career day. We thank Mrs. Amy for giving us the opportunity to speak about podiatric medicine and surgery.

A 14 year old male patient preparing for high school summer football workout presented to our office with painful warts on the bottom of his right foot for 3 weeks. We used the new Cryoprobe freezing mechanism with nitrous oxide. This is a painless procedure which took less than a minute and NO NEEDLES! The "before picture" on the left shows 1 large wart with 3 island type warts surrounding it. 5 weeks later after 2 treatments the warts are gone and the patient saw no interuption in his football practice. Most importantly, we did not have to use needles or surgically cut them out. If you know of someone who has a plantar wart on their foot, please have them call to make an appointment. It is covered by most insurances.


Hello Dr. Petersen,

My name is Ann, a patient of yours. Not sure if you still remember but I came to see you in early March of last year with pain in my left foot and frustration after being told that I broke my 5th maratarsal and was going to miss running the LA Marathon. I just wanted to stop by and say thank you for treating me and being so patient with me. I have gone back running after a long recovery process and completed LB Half Marathon last October and just finished this year's LA Marathon a couple weeks ago with my PR.

I wanted to say thank you again and wish all the best with you and your practice.

Take care!
Ann


BUNION - 54 YEAR OLD FEMALE

3 days post-operative view - Successful 45 minute Bunionectomy surgery performed at surgical center. Patient returned to athletic shoe at week 5.  Swelling can take 3-6-9 months to resolve depending on age and activity of the patient.  


ONYCHOMYCOSIS - NAIL FUNGUS

Nothing worse than going to the work party at the beach or pool party with family and friends and trying to figure out how you are going to hide your feet in socks, shoes or burying them under the sand.  

37 year old male presented with nail fungus on the right foot toes 2,3,4 and 5.  He states the fungus was there for over 3 years.  He had tried one drug store topical anti-fungal treatment with little success.  He believes he may have picked up the fungus at the gym in the showers walking barefoot.

We offered 4 forms of active treatment with the results shown in the pictures above:

1) Topical anti-fungal medicine applied twice a day.

2)  Oral anti-fungal medicine for 30 days

3)  Laser treatment

4)  Bi-monthly debridement of thick fungal nails with application of physician recommended topical solution.

*We also did a thorough review of his environment, shoes, activities that may be causing the fungal infection.

These results above are not a guarantee.  Healing rates vary patient to patient. Treatment ranges from 4-12 months to clear the nail.  Please call for an appointment to see which treatment options work best for you.  

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Testimonials

What Our Clients Say About Us

    Dr. Petersen, You have remained Robert's angel for which we are so grateful. Thank you for being such a great and caring doctor. You will always be in our throughts and prayers

    With respect, Rita and Lou S.

    Dr. Petersen, Thank you so much for your compassion and great work. You are a genuine friend.

    Sincere good wishes - Tony H.

    Dear Dr. Petersen, Thank you so much for letting me sit in and observe my mother's local surgery. I got to learn so much about being a doctor. You opened my eyes to the possibilities for my future. I really enjoyed seeing you work. I'll take care of my mother and keep her off of her foot.

    Thank you again. - Rose K.

    Dr. Petersen and staff, Thank you so very much for all the friendly warm and supporting staff. I really appreciate all of your thoughtfulness and care.

    Sincerely, Socorro A.

    Hello Dr. Petersen, I wanted to say thank you again and wish all the best with you and your practice.

    Take care! Ann L.

    Dr. Petersen - thank you for being such a great foot doctor and helping me.

    Roger N.

    Dear Dr. Petersen - I just wanted to give to you my sincere "Thank you" for all of your help. I'm looking forward to a better tomorrow. You always go above and beyond the special care that I need. I appreciate all that you do. I hope that you always stay sweet, kind and generous.

    Sincerley, Lonna R.

    Dr. Petersen, Just wanted to tell you thanks for such a great job and patience you had with my daughter. She went from a crying 14 year old to just chatting with you while you did the surgery! Whe we left there her words to me were "I actually like him". We will see you Thursday for a check-up.

    Thanks again, Callie I.

Our Location

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Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Laguna Woods Office

Monday:

8:30 am-5:30 pm

Tuesday:

8:30 am-5:30 pm

Wednesday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:30 am-5:30 pm

Friday:

8:30 am-4:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-12:00 pm

(By Appointment Only)

Sunday:

Closed