Walter F D’Costa, DPM

Thank you Dr. D’Costa!!!
I had endured extreme foot pain for 4 years before I went to Dr. D.
After a year and a half of trying non invasive adjustments, custom Orthotics, which all provided some measure of relief, but short lived!
I work on my feet all day, it was either give surgery a chance, or find a new career!
I love what I do and don’t want to sit behind a desk!
I was very to have someone cut into my foot!
5−½ months post OP my foot is better than ever!!!

Dr. D’Costa and his staff are first class. Every staff member I’ve come across has been professional and pleasant. Doug, the MA is fabulous, and was thorough.
Crystal was equally amazing, fitting my poor foot with the proper brace. Even though I had to get x-​rays for an ongoing, painful issue and a cortisone injection in my ankle, the time spent in the office went well and flowed effortlessly. All staff members work together well. Dr. D’Costa is very knowledgeable, possessed excellent bedside manner, and was encouraging to me.
I will get past this pain that I’ve been battling for years. Thank you.

Great Doctor. Been with him for years. Really cares about his patients. Had the wound open on my leg had me come in the same day. He stay late just to make sure my wound was attended to. Great office staff always remembers you. Would definitely recommend you if you need a podiatrist.

In retrospect of my experience with D’Costa, his interest was in getting me in for another visit so he could charge my insurance more than actually treating my ailment. What should have taken a maximum of 2 – 3 visits ultimately took 7 visits, and his staff asking me to schedule a follow up. Add that to the fact at no time did any of my office visits exceed 15 minutes.
My other concern was that he chose to give me an injection without ever setting his sights on the MRI that he ordered. He stated it was because he «trusted the technician». He never offered causes or alternative forms of treatment for my ailment, he just did it without warning.
I cannot recommend D’Costa. His overall demeanor was curt, arrogant, and seemed to have no desire to explain anything to anyone. His attitude combined with his unabashed quest to bill insurance as much as possible leaves me with a very poor impression of him. Finally, his staff was friendly and helpful, but seemed to just not want to be there. Somehow, I can imagine why.

On July 16 2013 Dr D’ Costa & his staff were very professional when they handled my ingrown toenail. I have seen Dr. D’Costa for many years regarding many foot situations. He & his staff have aided in creating healthy feet over the many years.

Two years ago while vacationing on Hawaii, I picked up a weird foot fungus. I’ve since seen 2 dermatologists and my primary care physician, and have tried numerous prescriptions, none of which successfully eradicated the fungus. Some of them even made it worse.
I went to see Dr. D’Costa for a different reason, and while he was examining my feet, I mentioned the fungus and the trouble I’ve had getting rid of it. He wrote a prescription to be used with OTC cortisone cream, told me to apply it twice a day, and to wrap my feet in Saran Wrap after the nighttime application. A month later, the fungus and the scaly skin are completely gone.
Not only is Dr. D’Costa very knowledgeable, he is also a very warm down-​to-​earth man who is easy to communicate with. He listens. The office staff is also very friendly and professional. I give the Northern California Foot and Ankle Center of Santa Rosa the highest recommendation.

I have been procrastinating for a few years now with my ingrown toenail problem.
Even though I am 6’4″ and weigh 300lbs I was scared to deal with it because every time I ever had to try and remove one it was more painful then anything I have ever experienced in life! Dr. D’Costa took me in and had the problem fixed in two visits. He knew I was a big baby and besides teasing me about my fears he took amazing care of my feet and I did not feel a thing! His staff is amazing & Dr. D’Costa is a great guy who cares and has a great sense of humor. I went from being totaly scared to enjoying myself in my appointments. I would highly recommend him to anyone in Sonoma County who has feet problem!!!
Thanks Dr. D for taking the pain out of my life!!!

I went to see this Dr because I had terrible pain in my foot that developed while I was traveling in Brazil. The pain got so bad (after an 8 week trip) that I ended up in a Brazilian hospital where I was given x-​rays, but they really didn’t know what was going on.
Dr. D’Costa was the 2^nd DPM I had seen after returning from my trip, the first, Dr. Jean Hazel, looked at my foot and looked at the x-​rays and said she had never seen anything like it, and sorry, but she couldn’t help me. This was to her credit. When I went to see D’costa, he took one look at my foot and said it was a bunion, and that, for only $ 10K he would open it up, slice off a bit of the bone, put a pin in my big toe and that would be that. I was a little confused because the x-​rays that I had (which were on the x-​ray viewing thing in his office) clearly showed that my bone was not angled as is usually the case with bunions. I asked him about this and he confidently said, «I don’t even need to look at that to know what’s going on here. Trust me»
Well, I didn’t trust him, and it’s a good thing too, I ended up going to the UCSF orthopedic institute, who, by the way ARE AMAZING! It was a long drive and a lot of hassle, but so worth it to get quality care. They looked at my foot and the x-​rays and were so happy I didn’t let this arrogant dr. cut into me, because they were concerned that it may have been cancer, in which case, cutting into it without care could have been really bad. After an MRI, surgery and a biopsy, gratefully, it wasn’t cancer, rather something called dystrophic calcinosis. But, it was even cheaper because it was covered by insurance, AND i don’t have a pin in my foot for no reason.
This Dr. was arrogant and cavalier… I wouldn’t trust him AT ALL for anything really.
Sorry Dr, this is the only bad review I’ve ever taken the time to write, but you really coulda messed up my world, I’m a young woman, a dancer, enjoy the outdoors, all these things, as I’m sure many people do. As a health care provider I believe you owe it to people to at least look at the x-​rays, don’t be so quick to make assumptions. Your mistake effects people’s well being in major ways.