Timothy J Blakeslee, DPM

GET A SECOND OPINION FOR YOUR OWN WELL BEING! This doctor FAILED us! We were referred to him by my daughters pediatrician, Dr Gallagher. First impression he walks in with a very cold, almost rude demeanor (chip on the shoulder). He asks why we were there, I stated my daughter had a purple toenail that tested positive for Chaeomium Species. He said he knew that because he already spoke to Gallagher about it. He barely glanced at her toe & said she can paint her nails but it will be like that for the rest of her life! I disagreed, which he didnt like. It actually made him get a little more cold. He looked at me & said «I’ve been doing this for over 25 years and I’m telling you there is nothing you can do, it will be like that forever. I disagreed again stating her father & step father both had it from their soccer days, they were both treated with oral medication & it went away. He said «well that only lasts 4 years.» I disagreed again by stating, both of them took the medication well over 10 years ago & they are still clear to this day. He continued to disagree & said «well then, I can refer you to a dermatologist but they are just going to tell you the same thing.» I told him yes, I want someone else to look at that. He didn’t like what I had to say & went out to do the referral. Looking at all government study sites online regarding Chaeomium Species in a toenail, they all say treatment is with the oral medication.
This doctor with his attitude throws out the «I’ve been doing this for over 25 years» business. However, in the 25 years, it seems as though he hasnt done any continuing education to update himself on new medicine. Instead he tells a teenager she needs to just live with it for the rest of her life. Digging into Chaeomium Species deeper, it states chronic fungal infection of the toe or fingernails that gradually leads to destruction of the nail plate if left untreated! Not only that, it can spread to other toes. This visit left me with my jaw open in disbelief. One on his demeanor & two on the terrible advice that would lead into more problems down the road. GET A SECOND OPINION!

I was referred to Dr. Blakeslee after an ER visit with a broken fibula. The surgical consultation was promptly scheduled the next day and surgery was done within 24 hrs. Dr. Blakeslee’s demeanor during consultation was cold and gruff. Post surgery was worse. Dr. Blakeslee went on vacation during my recovery and left me in a boot for 8 weeks causing permanent scar tissue to develop in my ankle joint. When I returned for the follow up visit he questioned why I was still in the boot and told me that my inability to use my foot (which was completely atrophied at this point) was all in my head. When asked prior to surgery if I would feel the hardware in my ankle he replied that «a thin person might.» During my final visit Dr. Blakeslee declared everything A-​OK despite the limited range of motion in my ankle. I can no longer do squats and climbing stairs causes shooting pain. Dr. Blakeslee told me that his desire was that my husband and I would argue over which ankle it was that I had broken. I can assure you that will not be the case.

I visited Dr. Blakeslee in great pain. I had been fortunate enough to get an appointment very quickly due to a cancellation. Dr. B immediately diagnosed my problem and took care of it at that same appointment. I saw him once more and the problem has been completely resolved. I highly recommend him

As a PAMF patient I was referred to him by Urgent Care when I broke both my knee and ankle. I had to see an Orthopedist (Spiegel) for the knee and Podiatrist (Blakeslee) for the ankle — that’s the way PAMF here works. I had to wait almost two weeks to get in… with a broken ankle. They provided different treatment modes — didn’t work together whatsoever. Blakeslee sold me a walking boot, while Spiegel, seen a couple days earlier, missed the broken knee, saying it was twisted. Suffice it to say I bailed on both of them and went to an ortho in Los Gatos (Cohen) who saw me the same day I called, found the break, and treated both. He junked the ankle boot for a small stabilizer and prescribed a strong knee brace, which was fitted by an outside vendor. I stayed off of everything for 2 months and am fine. I didn’t like Blakeslee’s demeanor or attitude, and the boot he sold me for $ 350.00 retailed at the vendor I used for $ 85.00.

Dr B recently cared for my special needs daughter after she broke her foot. He was so kind and compassionate with her. Not only did he spend time explaining the treatment and reviewing all possible instructions with her and I, he followed up with a call to check on her progress. She is healing beautifully. We are so grateful for his excellent care.

Took my special Daughter back to Dr Blakeslee to have her cast taken off and have a check up and cannot express how attentive the staff and doctor were to her needs and fears. They were simply stellar. Dr Blakslee called me the next day to see how she was doing with the walking boot. Simply the best care.

KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN! My son was born with club foot on his right foot. He was also 8 weeks premature and spent his first 28 days in the NICU. Dr. Blakeslee casted him at two days old and treated him there after by re-​casting him weekly. We saw Dr. Blakeslee twice after my son came home. The first time was a re-​cast and the second time was a recast. Then he called me at home when my son was barely two months old and told me he needed surgery, immediately.
I asked my primary for a referral for a second opinion and she sent me to Stanford where we saw Dr. Lincoln. Lincoln is world renown in this field and we were told. 1. Dr. Blakeslee was using an OUTDATED casting procedure. The new procedure would not have required my preemie newborn to sit in water for hours on end to soak his plaster cast off. 2. Blakeslee was using an OUTDATED placement procedure as well. 10 YEARS outdated. 3. Dr. Lincoln would never recommend surgery on a child like my son until he was at least 5 years old because of all the other less invasive ways to deal with it. My son is not 10 and has never had surgery or problems.
After this news I notified Dr. Blakeslee of what I was told and told him we wouldn’t be returning to his office. He told me I was a bad mom. He called me a week later to try to convince me to go ahead with the surgery and once again said he thought I was being a bad mom and making a stupid decision.
I have spent the past 10 years feeling sorry for current young patients and their parents every time I have to walk by his office.
BEWARE

I came to Dr. Blakeslee for a second opinion. I had received perfunctory care and a lot of pressure to have surgery from another doctor, so I asked an anaesthesiologist friend of mine for a recommendation. How refreshing — Dr. Blakeslee is a «surgery is a last resort» kind of surgeon. He suggested we try some conservative strategies to see if surgery could be avoided indefinitely. I saw him several times over a couple of years to evaluate, and we finally decided — together — that I should go ahead with the foot surgery. My problem was deteriorating and he was afraid over time it could take other things down with it. He was straightforward with my partner and me about the procedure, what to expect and possible outcomes. He did this with thoughtful intelligence and gentle humor. He is very experienced and has a crack team at Sutter Surgery Center. I don’t like to get anywhere near a scalpel but they made the whole experience very comfortable. He phoned the weekend after my surgery, and — get this — I had to go to Urgent Care a few days later for an unrelated matter, and when he saw my name come up in their system that I had been to the clinic, called me at home again, worried that there may have been a problem with my foot! Who does that? I trust Dr. Blakeslee and recommend him without reservation.

I cannot speak more highly of Dr. Blakeslee. I saw him as I was leaving Santa Cruz. I have seen many orthopedists and a couple podiatrists. Each always told me I had one leg longer than the other — slightly. I have complex spine issues. He paid attention and advised that while not always a succcess, orthotics would be a good possibility since I had become nearly completely flat footed. They are also expensive he pointed out. I went ahead and I love the orthotics. Worth every penny. He also made some reccommenations for other practitioners that I am awaiting appointments. He works efficiently and quickly so one needs to have questions lined up. If there was any reason to drop to four stars it would because of speed of the visit, albeit focused. This said, follow-​up appointments were scheduled and I had the opportunity to get my questions asked. Sometimes questions percolate so I hold to the give stars which I rarely give. I am a hard marker. The orthotics have made a major difference in my life. He did get them right for me. He has a nice nurse or medical assistant. The staff does their best. When I called to compliment and say that I was cancelling my next appointment, the person taking the call was flabbergasted saying what a bad day he had with people complaining. I am am guessing at the reason for the bad day but people in pain do not like to wait and may have other pressing appointments (people who are driving them also have appointments or get back to work) and in general people in pain are grouchy. I have never experienced such bad foot pain and I can tell you that it was very painful and caused great worry. I also credit Peggy Chen for picking up on medical issues heretofore addressed in a cursory manner.

I highly recommend Timothy Blakeslee as an honest podiatrist who has your best interest at heart. The long waits are worth someone so trustworthy for such important issues. I fell in October and sprained my ankle. After being on crutches for 3 months expecting it to heal, I realized that there was something more going on. I went to see Dr. Blakeslee and I liked his honesty and felt safe, as in he wasn’t going to recommend surgery if I don’t need it, like a lot of doctors do these days. He gave me the right recommendations for physical therapy and after viewing the MRI and telling me I didn’t need surgery, advised getting a boot and a scooter which saved a lot of stress on my body. He had a lot of different ideas for my healing, and I genuinely felt heard and appreciated. I highly recommend Dr. Blakeslee, and if you have to wait, its because he’s in high demand and genuinely takes the time to listen to his patients.

Broke my ankle and went to Santa Cruz for a second opinion because pinning was not completely clear to my first doctor. dr B had no doubt that I should do the surgery and got third and fourth opinions from his group. Back together and walking, suoer happy and scar is fading!

Dr. Blakeslee was such a great choice. My son, 11yrs old, had severe flat feet and was having all sorts of health problems that had stemmed from his feet being flat for so many years. We saw Dr. Blakeslee over a period of 1 year and during that 1 year period my son had both feet surgically reconstructed. Now, his feet are great! His last surgery was in July 2011 so, walking too much can still be painful but, it is healing more and more everyday and everyday his complains less and less about the pain. I would recommend anyone to see Dr. Blakeslee, especially for their child’s foot issues. He was very sweet with our son and explained everything in patient terms, not Doctors terms.

I had a bad slip and fall, tore a ligament, dislocated my ankle and broke my fibula. I was sent from my doctor’s office to Dr. Blakeslee whom I had seen once before. He performed surgery to repair my ankle and I’m doing very well. He’s thorough, very professional and has a great sense of humor. His office staff has been very responsive and helpful as well. The only reason I didn’t give him 5 stars is because I’m still in recovery, but I fully expect everything will be fine.
I would highly recommend him!

As an RN, I am very impressed with the time and care Dr. Blakeslee gave my husband. He was not only very personable and genuinely interested in his patient’s issues, but his assessments and treatments were also astute and professional. He’s clearly up to date on all the latest treatments and methodologies, and my husband left his office feeling pain-​free and tremendously relieved.
We don’t hesitate to recommend him as an excellent choice to to help you with your podiatry woes.

i had heel pain for 2 years. plantar fascitis sucks. i couldn’t surf or play tennis. i saw 2 other docs in santa cruz and 1 in san jose and was still in pain. i was terrified to get a cortison injection but it actually didn’t hurt — dr. tim blakeslee was great. he explained everthing so i could understand and make some daily changes, stretching and better sandals worked. i have no pain since march ’11 and am back running and surfing. i have recommended dr. tim blakeslee to co-​workers as well who had very positive results. thanks.

Deserves zero stars for absolute lack of regard for this patient. Proceed with caution. I will not return to this office. After waiting 1 month for an appointment date Blakeslee was on call at the time of my 9am appointment. I checked with a cash co-​pay and asked if the doctor was on-​time. «Yes» was the answer. After a few minutes I was advised Blakeslee was 20 minutes behind schedule. By 30 minutes behind schedule I inquired again and the receptionists were not able to advise when the doctor would fulfill the appointment. At 60 minutes behind schedule I announced I had never been disrespected like this in a doctor’s office before, that I was leaving, and requested the refund of my copay. I left without the cash copay because they did not know how to process a cash refund.