INTRODUCTION

Dr. Stefan Feldman brings more than four decades of real-world podiatric experience to the KevinRoot Medical team.

After 41 years in private practice in Westlake Village, California, he continues his professional journey by supporting clinicians without the demands of day-to-day practice.

A long-time KevinRoot Medical client himself, Dr. Feldman understands the challenges practitioners face because he has faced them too. At KevinRoot Medical, he serves as a trusted second opinion and mentor for clinicians seeking clarity in complex or challenging cases.

Dr. Feldman is especially mindful that no one has all the answers, particularly when it comes to biomechanics. Many clinicians, especially early in their careers, feel they should know more. His approach is intentionally non-judgmental, practical, and approachable, focused on learning together rather than pointing out gaps.

Whether mentoring early-career practitioners on how to communicate the value of orthotics to patients, helping busy clinicians cut through complexity, or collaborating with seasoned doctors on difficult cases, Dr. Feldman offers calm, experience-driven guidance. From hard-to-fit patients to repeated remakes and demanding footwear needs, he brings a steady, solution-oriented perspective shaped by decades in the clinic.

Dr. Feldman’s role reflects a core belief at KevinRoot Medical: better outcomes come from collaboration, shared experience, and supportive partnerships, especially when cases do not fit neatly into a textbook solution.

Q&A

What first drew you to biomechanics, and why has it remained such an important part of your work throughout your career?

I was first drawn to biomechanics and the use of orthotics due to my own foot conditions. My father was a podiatrist and made my first pair for me when I was a teenager (good old Rohadur). When I became a podiatrist myself, I moved to Southern California, took on a very active lifestyle and discovered that if I wanted to run, hike, and overall play outside, and not get injured, I needed to have effective support of my feet. I have become my own patient, and found what works for me, also works for many others.

After years in clinical practice, what do you believe matters most when treating patients with foot, gait, or movement-related issues?

Patients need to believe in the science of biomechanics even if they don't fully understand it, they need to trust that it is real and not some hocus pocus. As the medical provider it is incumbent on me to get them past their symptoms, and on to prevention. Many people depend on their lower limbs to earn a living or maintain their lifestyle, so making it easier for them to do so can be quite rewarding.

How has a deeper understanding of biomechanics changed outcomes for your patients over time?

I think it is important to understand not only the how, what, when and where, of a problem or situation but most importantly the "why". My approach has been to start with the anatomy, then the physiology then the pathology. Experience allows you to recognize nuance, every case has its own unique features,know what tools you have to address the problem, and deeper understanding creates more effective solutions to those cases.

What motivated you to continue your professional work with KevinRoot Medical after retiring from - or stepping back from - full-time practice?

After 41 years of private practice it was time to pass the baton to the younger generation. I started out in the era of pegboard accounting systems, and paper charts, even before fax machines and pagers. I really enjoy the changes in technology, but found having my face on my tablet and computer all day, and spending extra time recording everything was causing burnout. Consulting with KRM allows me to keep my mind active in retirement and help younger practitioners overcome hurdles they encounter due to lack of experience.

What challenges do you commonly see clinicians facing today when prescribing orthotics or managing complex biomechanical cases?

A big challenge for some is incorporating biomechanics into the bigger picture of dealing with the human body. Orthotics can't fix everything, just like surgery or medicine cant either. So we must take a more holistic approach and incorporate and blend the various disciplines into our treatment plans. For example: is that great toe pain Hallux rigidus, gout or some other form of arthritic condition? Usually the correct answer is the easiest one, but not always.

How do you see your role at KevinRoot Medical in helping clinicians feel more confident and supported in their treatment decisions?

I found during my days of surgical residency that I learned most from sitting around the doctor's lounge or engaging in conversation during cases and trying to soak in as much information and knowledge from more experienced doctors as possible. I found this to be real life, practical knowledge, which is different from academics. Practical knowledge allows you to use your imagination and innnovate a solution when necessary.

What kind of practical guidance, insights, or support can clinicians expect from you when working with our lab?

I will try to encourage the clients to come up with their own solutions using their own reasoning and logic. If I offer my solution, I will provide the reason why I think it will work, but if I can ask them the right questions to lead them to a correct answer, even better! There is usually no one correct answer to any given situation, so I will encourage the clients to not be afraid of making mistakes, just recognize the error and try not to repeat it.

Why do you believe ongoing education in biomechanics is important - even for experienced clinicians?

I am learning all the time, I have come much farther in my knowledge base since retiring and joining KRM. In private practice, I had little knowledge of the orthotic manufacturing process and the challenges the lab faces all the time. We often have to make decisions based on incomplete information, either missing data or not having the patient in front of us, which presents an extra challenge. I realize clients are usually very busy in their clinics, have to make decisions on the fly, and the more experience you have, the more confidence you gain and your ability to work quickly and effectively grows exponentially.

In your opinion, what separates an orthotic that truly helps patients from one that simply fills a shoe?

This is a great question. I personally think most biomechanical issues are either during heel contact or most importantly during the propulsive phase of gait. Custom orthotic devices address rearfoot and forefoot deformity directly,as opposed to off the shelf devices which are basically midfoot or medial arch supports. We tend to think statically when dealing with foot mechanics, but we are actually dealing with a dynamic structure involving movement, so affecting not only the amount of movement but the timing of movement is critical to successful treatment outcomes.

What would you like clinicians to know before choosing KevinRoot Medical as their lab partner?

Clients should know we are good people and really want to partner with them in their success. Blending 21st century technology with good old fashioned personal service with the goal of improving the lives of thousands of people, if not hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

Dr. Stefan Feldman