I’ve been a podiatrist for years, long enough to watch telehealth evolve from a clunky experiment to a critical tool. At Elevate Foot and Ankle, a telehealth-only practice serving North and South Carolina, I’ve seen firsthand how this technology reshapes foot care. It’s not a gimmick or a short-lived trend - it’s changing lives!
What really took off and came into its own during the Covid-19 pandemic is now commonplace among forward-looking healthcare providers across the country, and Elevate Foot and Ankle is leading the charge in telemedicine throughout the Carolinas.
Let’s look at how telehealth got here, what it means for your feet, and why now is the perfect time to take advantage of it!
The Early Days: More Frustration Than Function
Telehealth in the early 2000s? Let’s just say it wasn’t inspiring.
Low-quality images, pixelated video, dropped calls, and dial-up internet (remember that?), especially in rural North Carolina or the Lowcountry of South Carolina. It wasn’t just the tech that fell short; doctors and patients alike were skeptical.
Remember, the Internet at that time was still evolving as a multimedia hub. Streaming video just wasn’t a viable option for most use cases, and it certainly wasn’t available widely enough to be considered practical for something as important as healthcare consultations and exams.
“How Are You Going to Treat Me Through a Screen?”
People would think: “How do you treat bunions through a screen?” Feet are personal. A phone or laptop felt too distant. Between poor video quality, bad connections, and a lack of access to high-speed Internet, for most, it just wasn’t worth the trouble.
Back then, if you had a bunion (red, stiff, and changing how you walk), you may have had to drive an hour or more to get seen depending on where you lived. From the Asheville mountains to Columbia's sprawl, that meant missed work and long waits. Telehealth couldn’t handle the weight of podiatry back then, but times have changed.
The Turning Point: Tech Catches Up to Need
By the 2010s, everything changed. High-speed internet became standard. Smartphones got smarter. Video quality leveled up, with 1080p and even 4k becoming commonplace. Suddenly, telehealth wasn’t just possible; it was practical!
Then came 2020, and the pandemic hit. Clinics became high-risk, and people started asking: “Isn’t there a better way?”
That’s when we decided to commit resources toward building a system for patients who needed expert care for their feet from a licensed, board-certified podiatrist.
We take a tech-forward approach because we recognize the value this delivers to patients across the Carolinas. Whether you're in the Appalachian Mountains, the Triangle, the Piedmont, or down in the Midlands or Lowcountry, we’ve swapped the exam room for the screen - and we haven’t looked back since.
A Practical Example of How Our Practice Can Help
Take bunions, for example. Patients across NC and SC started reaching out to Dr. Lanier, founder and medical director of Elevate Foot and Ankle, for care options outside of traditional in-office visits.
“Doctor, it hurts to walk. I’m experiencing redness and cramping around my big toe.”
With telehealth, we examine the patient’s foot on-screen, conduct a personalized consultation, monitor their gait, and check for symptoms like redness, swelling, and misalignment.
By having a patient walk a few steps on video to check for overpronation or stiffness, Dr. Lanier is able to create a tailored treatment plan on the spot. Perhaps that involves stretches, toe spacers, or anti-inflammatory prescriptions.
Whatever the case and treatment, Elevate Foot and Ankle provides a convenient alternative to searching for a local foot doctor nearby in Charlotte or other areas of NC and SC.
Where We Are Now: Smart, Accessible, Effective
Today, telehealth is more than just convenient. It's truly an effective way to treat foot health concerns quickly without the travel or hassle associated with traditional podiatric care. And Elevate Foot and Ankle is built around making effective care accessible across North and South Carolina.
Whether you're in Wilmington, Hilton Head, Columbia, Greenville-Spartanburg, Cary, Elizabeth City, or anywhere in between, you can get expert podiatric care without leaving your house. Plus, you gain access to direct messaging with your doctor through our patient portal, offering faster communication for personalized care.
We treat real problems in real time:
● A construction worker in Myrtle Beach swaps painful shoes for better ones we reviewed together on-screen.
● A gardener in Asheville eases arch pain with live-guided stretches.
● A retiree in Raleigh starts walking pain-free again with the right toe spacers and follow-up check-ins.
It’s efficient. It’s personal. And most importantly, it works.
Care That Keeps Up with Carolina Life
The Carolinas are big states. From mountain towns to coastal cities, finding a local foot specialist nearby can be a burden. We believe you shouldn’t have to choose between taking care of your feet and disrupting your life. Whether you’re shag dancing on a Beaufort pier or hiking Boone’s blue ridges, telehealth lets you stay active with care that fits your life, not the other way around.
And yes, it’s still real podiatry, provided by a licensed, board-certified podiatrist. We’re diagnosing, treating, and tracking your progress with precision, just through a smarter delivery method.
Take Your Foot Care to the Next Level With Elevate Foot and Ankle - Schedule Now!
If your feet are holding you back, don’t wait for an opening at a far-off clinic - Relief is just a screen away.
Book your virtual visit with Elevate Foot and Ankle now to experience the difference telehealth foot care offers in the Carolinas.
Dr. Thurmond Lanier
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