PODIATRY SERVICES
Meet our Podiatrists!
PHILIP SNEYD – BSc (Hons) Pod – Podiatrist
Originally from Manchester in the United Kingdom, Phil Sneyd brings a wealth of experience and a diverse background to his podiatric practice. After moving to Nova Scotia in 2013, he joined our team, quickly becoming a trusted and valued member of our clinic. Philip holds a degree in Podiatric Medicine from the University of Huddersfield in Yorkshire, England. His journey to podiatry, however, was anything but conventional. Prior to his medical training, he studied electronic engineering, worked as a chef, and spent many years helping individuals with specialty footwear designed to address and alleviate foot-related issues. This unique combination of experiences has given Phil a well-rounded understanding of patient care and an appreciation for the practical and functional aspects of podiatric treatment.
Phil enjoys the broad scope of podiatry, with a particular interest in biomechanical assessments, skin and nail care, vascular and neurological evaluations, as well as treatments for conditions such as plantar warts and nail surgeries. His gentle and compassionate approach to care is often highlighted by his patients, who appreciate his kind demeanor and ability to explain complex conditions in an easy-to-understand way. Phil’s comprehensive approach allows him to provide individualized care, ensuring that each patient receives the best possible treatment plan tailored to their specific needs.
Phil is deeply committed to ongoing professional development and staying current with the latest advancements in podiatric medicine. He is an active member of several prestigious organizations, including the Nova Scotia Podiatry Association, the Canadian Podiatric Medical Association, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Outside of his clinical work, Philip enjoys spending his free time outdoors. He is an avid gardener, loves exploring nature, and is passionate about participating in various outdoor sports. Traveling with his family is also one of his favorite pastimes, and he cherishes the opportunity to experience new places and cultures.
Phil is currently accepting new patients and looks forward to helping you achieve optimal foot health through compassionate care and expert treatment.
ANTHONY FABLE – BAppSci, MPodPrac – Podiatrist
Originally from Australia, Anthony joined our team in 2022 after relocating to Nova Scotia and has quickly become a valued member, bringing his wealth of experience and his kind, approachable nature to every patient interaction. He holds a Master’s in Podiatry from La Trobe University, Australia, where he developed a strong foundation in podiatric care. Anthony’s path to becoming a podiatrist was inspired by his own recovery journey. After suffering a serious injury during a sporting incident, which left him with a broken leg, ankle, and foot, he worked closely with a podiatrist to rehabilitate. This experience sparked his passion for podiatry and led him to pursue a career helping others recover from similar challenges.
Before his podiatry career, Anthony played Australian Football competitively for 18 years, including one year professionally. As with many athletes, he faced a variety of injuries throughout his career, some of which were potentially career-ending. His time working alongside international sports podiatrists, orthopedic surgeons, and physiotherapists gave him valuable insights into rehabilitation. Combining this knowledge with his own personal experience, Anthony has developed a specialized approach to treating foot and ankle injuries, offering unique rehabilitation programs tailored to athletes and active individuals, with a few “Aussie tips and tricks” along the way.
Anthony takes a patient-centered approach to care, emphasizing collaboration with other healthcare professionals to provide the best possible outcomes. His areas of expertise include biomechanical assessments, skin and nail care, vascular and neurological evaluations, nail surgeries, and the treatment of plantar warts. His patients often appreciate his thoroughness and attention to detail, as well as his ability to make them feel comfortable throughout the treatment process.
Outside of work, Anthony loves spending time with his large Italian family, his friends and enjoys meeting new people.
Anthony is a proud member of the Nova Scotia Podiatry Association, the Canadian Podiatric Medical Association, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is currently accepting new patients and looks forward to helping you achieve your best foot and ankle health.
DR. RONALD BARRON – DPM, BSc, BA – Podiatrist
Dr. Ronald Barron grew up in Kapuskasing, Northern Ontario, before relocating to Toronto at the age of 10. He completed his undergraduate studies at Laurentian University, followed by specialized training in Orthotics and Prosthetics Technology at George Brown College. With over a decade of experience in the field, Ron ran his own orthopedic fabrication business before pursuing his medical education in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated with a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Kent State University.
After earning his DPM, Ron completed a surgical internship in Monroe, Michigan, under Dr. Scott Hughes, before moving to New York City for an 18-month residency in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. He trained at Interfaith Medical Center and Brookdale University Medical Center in Brooklyn, where he honed his expertise in complex surgical procedures.
Dr. Barron has a strong focus on lower extremity care, with particular expertise in surgery. He specializes in a wide range of procedures, including digital and nail surgeries, cyst and wart excisions, neuroma excisions, tendon lengthening, plantar fasciotomies, and soft tissue surgeries. He also performs Durolane joint injections, cortisone injections, and advanced wound care techniques using grafts like Appligraf, Dermagraft, and Epifix.
His extensive training and experience make him a trusted expert in managing foot and ankle conditions with both surgical precision and advanced techniques.
Listed below are some of the services provided:
Routine Foot Care/Treatment
This appointment may include the treatment of corns, calluses and nail care. Other appropriate foot care advice may also be offered during this appointment.
Foot Care
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown Toenails are a common condition where the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, inflammation, and sometimes infection. This can lead to discomfort, redness, and swelling, and in some cases, may even result in pus or an abscess if infection sets in. The condition can become recurrent, especially if the toenail continues to grow improperly, and is often aggravated by pressure from tight shoes, improper nail trimming, or even physical trauma. Without treatment, ingrown toenails can affect your ability to walk comfortably and may lead to chronic foot issues.
We offer nail surgery as an effective long-term solution for ingrown toenails, particularly for cases that don’t respond to conservative treatments such as antibiotics, warm soaks, or changes in footwear. The procedure is carried out under local anesthetic, ensuring you remain comfortable and pain-free during the process. Depending on the severity of the condition, the podiatrist will either remove a thin sliver of the problematic nail or perform a full nail removal if necessary to fully address the issue.
After the nail is removed, the nail matrix—the base of the nail—is treated using cauterization, a technique that destroys the cells responsible for nail growth. This prevents the nail from regrowing in the same problematic manner, effectively eliminating the risk of future ingrown nails. The procedure boasts a success rate of 98%, providing lasting relief for most patients. Aftercare is simple, and most people recover quickly, with minimal downtime required. With this highly successful and minimally invasive treatment, you can be free from the recurring discomfort and potential complications caused by ingrown toenails.
Ingrown Toe Nails
Plantar Warts
A plantar wart is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). It is actually a viral infection of the skin. If it is left untreated, it can become painful, unsightly and in severe cases immobilizing. We frequently treat verrucae (warts) the size of a loonie! In some cases it will go of its own accord but once large and established, it will need more advanced treatment. We offer a range of verrucae treatment options including freezing with liquid nitrogen and caustics.
Plantar Warts
Diabetic/Foot Health Assessment
If you have diabetes, your feet should be checked every 12 months for circulation and any loss of sensation. We call this a vascular and neurological assessment. We use a doppler ultrasound where we can listen to the quality of the pulses in your feet. We also record the level of feeling in your feet. In addition we check for any high pressure sites that may be at risk of ulceration and will advise you accordingly. If you have diabetes or other long-term chronic conditions that may affect your feet, these assessments will be performed during your first visit; alongside any treatments you might require.
Diabetic - Foot Health
Cracked Heels
Your podiatrist will reduce excess hard skin and cracks, eliminating painful symptoms and vastly improving the skin’s appearance. They also provide advice/ recommendations to help you prevent/slow down the return of the problem.
Cracked Heels
Foot Ulcer Care/Treatment
Communicating closely with your family doctor, podiatrists can assess, manage and treat non-healing wounds. This includes the sharp debriding/removal of non-viable tissues, cleaning of the wound bed and the application of the appropriate sterile dressings. Wound healing is further enhanced with offloading using temporary measures such as semi-compressed felt padding or offloading boots. Once the wound site is completely healed, the podiatrist will assess and provide advice for the long-term care plan to ensure the wound stays heal. This may include the provision for orthotics or shoe modification.
Ulcers
Sports Injuries
We pride ourselves on getting the best results for people of all ages, sizes and activity levels. We have a thorough understanding of the variety of injuries that can occur with the foot and ankle. Tailoring a rehabilitation regime unique to your injury is just the first step in helping prevent reoccurrence to the most injury prone part of the body across the world!
Anthony Fable (Podiatrist) currently manages the foot and ankle injury caseload for the clinic will assess, diagnose and formulate a rehabilitation program specific to your sport and your needs for:
- New injuries – including managing inflammation, swelling & acute pain.
- Re-occurring discomfort from past injuries – ankle injuries have upwards of a 30% chance of reoccurrence if not treated correctly!
If any of the following injuries have occurred to you, come in to see us today and we can help establish some short and long term goals to get you back on feet or back to normal activity levels, painlessly:
- Broken ankle rehabilitation – either past (if ongoing) or present
- Torn/sprained ligaments
- Achilles tendon pain
- Rolled ankles
- Turf toe
- Heel spurs
In addition to providing a rehab program we will also demonstrate taping techniques to get your back on your feet promptly and limit the chances of reoccurrence, so you can get back on your feet again.
Biomechanics
The foot and lower limb is a very complex mechanical device. As such, many problems may result from our personal development, past injuries or the activities we pursue. Dysfunction in the foot may lead to site specific problems, pain/discomfort in other parts of the feet or even refer problems to sites higher up the body. Our podiatrists are trained to assess, diagnose and implement appropriate management of your feet and legs. This may include: referral, communication with your doctor, rehab, orthotics, footwear, etc.
Athlete’s Foot/Fungal Skin Infections
We can easily diagnose this and provide a treatment plan. Advice is then given to prevent re-occurrence.
Cyst Excisions
We specialize in the surgical removal of cysts affecting the foot and ankle to help restore comfort and mobility. Whether it’s a benign ganglion cyst, or other soft tissue growth, we understand the limitations they can cause. Our goal is to provide efficient, minimally invasive treatments tailored to your needs.
Dr. Ron Barron (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) leads the management of cyst excisions, offering expert diagnosis and precise removal. While often painless, cysts can cause irritation, swelling, and restricted movement, so timely treatment is essential for maintaining foot health.
If you’re dealing with:
- Ganglion cysts on the foot or ankle
- Soft tissue masses causing pain or discomfort
- Fluid-filled lumps causing pressure or nerve irritation
We’ll create a personalized treatment plan, including pre-surgical advice, the excision procedure, and post-operative care. Our rehabilitation strategies ensure smooth healing and reduce the risk of complications.
Corticosteroid (Cortisone) Injections
We offer corticosteroid injections to effectively manage pain and inflammation in the foot and ankle. If you’re dealing with conditions like tendonitis, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, or soft tissue inflammation, this treatment can provide relief, reduce discomfort, and restore mobility.
Dr. Ron Barron (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) specializes in the precise administration of these injections, tailoring treatment to your needs. Corticosteroid injections are a minimally invasive solution that can significantly improve symptoms and accelerate healing.
Common conditions treated with corticosteroid injections include:
- Plantar Fasciitis: Chronic heel pain
- Plantar-fibromatosis: Nodules that form along the plantar fascia
- Tendonitis: Inflammation due to overuse
- Arthritis: Joint inflammation
- Bursitis: Swelling of fluid-filled sacs
- Morton’s Neuroma: Nerve irritation
After a thorough evaluation, your podiatrist will determine if a corticosteroid injection is right for you.
Flexor Tenotomy
We offer a Flexor Tenotomy as effective surgical treatment for chronic pain and restricted movement in the foot and ankle. These procedures are ideal for those with contractures, deformities, or stiffness that don’t respond to conservative treatments. By releasing tight tendons and joint capsules, we can restore function and provide lasting relief.
Dr. Ron Barron (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) specializes in diagnosing and treating tendon and joint capsule issues in the foot. Whether you’re dealing with hammertoes, claw toes, or other deformities, these procedures can improve mobility and reduce pain.
Conditions treated include:
- Hammertoes: Bent toes caused by tight tendons
- Claw Toes: Toes bent due to tendon or joint capsule tightness
- Contractures: Shortened tendons or joint capsules limiting movement
- Toe Deformities Due to Diabetes
- Stiff, Painful Joints: Restricted movement from tight joint capsules
After diagnosis, we’ll guide you through a comprehensive treatment plan, including pre-surgical advice, the procedure itself, and post-op care. The procedure is minimally invasive and performed under local anesthesia for faster recovery. Rehabilitation is key to regaining strength and function, and our team will support you throughout the healing process.
What should bring to prepare for my Podiatry appointment?
- Please remove all toe nail polish before your appointment
- Bring along a record of your medications.
- Bring all of the shoes you wear on a regular basis.
- If you are seeing the podiatrist for custom made orthotics please refer to our orthotic page
What are the fees to see a podiatrist?
- First appointment – Soft tissue care including warts, corns, nail and skin care, biomechanics $90
- Repeat appointments:
- $75 for patients who have been in for care in the past12 months (some treatments such as wart treatment and nail surgery do have additional fees that would be full explained prior to booking these appointments)
- $80 If it has been more than a year since you have been in last, as you will need to be reassessed before treatment.
Will my insurance plan cover these fees?
Most medical insurance plans will cover Podiatry Services.
Each insurance plan is different, therefore coverage for each product and service will vary from plan to plan. To ensure you understand your coverage it is best if you contact your insurance company to inquire about your plan details. Most plans do not require a referral to see a podiatrist, however it is best to check with them to be sure.
Upon request, we are happy to direct bill your health benefits plan. Direct billing needs to be arranged prior to your appointment.
Note:If you would like us to bill your plan directly, please call to inquire if you plan permits direct billing. Some plans require members to pay for the services and submit receipts for reimbursement.
Blue Cross – Belmont – Benefit Plan Administrators – Chamber of Commerce – Claim Secure – Co-operators – Community Services – Desjardins – Equitable Life – Great West Life – Green Shield – Industrial Alliance – Johnson – Manion Wilkins – Manulife – Maxium Benefit Assurance – Standard Life – Sunlife – Workers Compensation Board, etc.
Patient Education is provided to help reduce future problems.
Reports and referrals are sent to appropriate health professionals.
Philip Sneyd & Anthony Fable are members of:
