Dr. Nicole Freels, FACPM, C.PedDouble Board Certified:Fellow of the American College of Podiatric Medicine (ACPM)
ABC Board Certified Pedorthist in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthist
Dr. Nicole Freels is a Kentucky native and University of Kentucky alumnus. The granddaughter of Dr. Arthur O. Kelly, a Podiatrist in Portsmouth, Ohio. She grew up on a horse farm in South Portsmouth, Kentucky. Being raised as a "farm girl," Dr. Freels is no stranger to tending a garden, mucking barns or grooming horses. During her adolescence, she spent much of her time shadowing her grandfather and learning the building blocks of podiatry which she uses to this day.
She is the founder and CEO of Lexington Podiatry and Modern Podiatrist. Over the past 17 years she has created a world-renowned multispecialty podiatry practice that focuses on conservatively treating all conditions of the foot and ankle. She and Dr. Carter have created a one stop shop for all things Podiatry. Her approach encompasses the traditional basics of Podiatry, and enhancing them with modern, advanced treatment alternatives, and "out- of-the-box thinking" for those that don't have time to be off their feet.
Get to Know Dr. Freels
As a second-generation podiatrist, Dr. Freels’ passion for feet comes from the heart. As an active doctor herself, she values the importance of comprehensive, preventative care to keep you on your feet. If you're looking for someone who loves hiking, traveling, snow skiing, weight lifting, tennis and pickleball, this is the Podiatrist for you! She has been involved with racing events in Kentucky sponsored by Race Rise and Bob Baney, as well as Fleet Feet with Amy Varney. Offering free footcare onsite to all racers and their families, Lexington Podiatry and Dr. Freels are able to support a community that has been so welcoming. She’s spent many evenings and weekends donating her time to free foot evaluations to numerous manufacturing facilities and schools.
In 2010 she launched her custom-designed premium footcare line inspired by her late Grandfather, Dr. A. Kelly. "Modern Podiatrist" has been incredibly popular among her patients, salons, podiatry practices and spas looking for prescription strength options adding in natural ingredients. Under Dr. Freels' direction, The Marriott Spa at Griffin Gate offers a therapeutic pedicure (safe for diabetics and at risk patients) solely using her complete footcare line. There are several products in production, sign up for her newsletter for updates! As a treat for you...use code "NFBIO24" for 15% off Modern Podiatrist.
She has been the preferred Podiatrist for Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Kentucky for nearly two decades. She has worked extensively on-site at their facility (including educating their medical team, floor surface evaluation, personalized team member evaluation and orthotic/insert fitting, foot examinations, workers' compensation cases, etc). TMMK members typically visit her annually to update their custom orthotics as well as get a thorough examination. Timberland Boots asked her to be the lead doctor to collaborate and design a shoe/boot exclusively for Toyota worldwide.
She is a Key Opinion Leader and Medical Advisor for PowerStep Inserts (Foundation Wellness) and is on the ground floor in developing new and innovative inserts for her patients and the masses.
She's also represented and collaborates with Brooks Running Shoes offering her expertise in the medical realm and also educates other doctors about shoe gear to share with their patients.
As a shoe aficionado, she'll never tell you to throw any shoes away, only to "Just be smart about it!". Wrinkles in life happen, Lexington Podiatry and Dr. Freels is there to help you navigate your foot health through those muddy waters. In fact, she has hours of shoe videos on Lexington Podiatry's YouTube channel and a full downloadable shoe guide on our homepage.
Podiatric Specialties
In addition to advanced biomechanics (the physics of your body,...think The Matrix), her concentration is the latest advancements in Precision and Regenerative Medicine. This includes Laser Therapy, PRP, etc. All of these are considered and discussed before referring you for invasive surgery. Her approach is to merge traditional podiatric medicine that she learned from her Grandfather with modern, advanced, cutting-edge procedures and technology.
Because many lower extremity problems stem from underlying biomechanical issues, Dr. Freels specializes in treating these issues through detailed biomechanical and gait analysis (when indicated) during your visit in hopes to prevent surgery. It is not uncommon for patients to schedule an appointment for a biomechanical analysis to reveal the source of their back, hip and/or knee pain.
She is well known in the community for solving "complex biomechanical cases", and has had success in treating these patients with minimal to no invasive surgeries. Sixth opinions are a "normal day" for her. Often pain that's been ongoing for years is what she's loves treating.
If you feel you have no where to turn, please schedule a "Hail Mary" appointment with Dr. Freels just to make sure "NOTHING ELSE CAN BE DONE". Again...2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and even 6th opinions are her normal.
After your complete analysis and plan has been discussed, as a Board Certified Podiatrist and Certified Pedorthist, she is able to provide you with any custom orthotics or bracing that may be required in-office, in addition to answering all your shoe concerns. We utilize all forms of traditional and modern technology to create the perfect orthotic for you. Unlike Good Feet, this is truly customized and not a "one-size-fits-all" mentality.
Patients with back, hip and knee pain are welcome to schedule an appointment to determine if their feet are creating these issues. Remember: "The knee bone is connected to the hip bone", we can assure you, it's all connected.
During your consultation, you'll feel at ease as you both discuss your lifestyle, occupation, limitations, goals and all of your shoe gear needs. She works extensively with her patients to develop comprehensive treatment plans and options. Her focus is to exhaust all conservative treatments before considering surgical corrections.
By the time you leave, you'll feel hopeful as you will have a comprehensive treatment plan to get you back on our feet as soon as possible!
Education
- B.S. Biology, University of Kentucky
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine: Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine Cleveland, OH ABC
- Board Certified Pedorthist in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, (C.Ped.)
Accreditations
- ABC Board Certified Pedorthist in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, (C.Ped.)
- Board Certified Fellow, American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopedics & Medicine Board Certified, American Board of Podiatric Medicine
- Board Qualified in Foot Surgery State of Kentucky Licensure Organizations
- University of Kentucky Alumni Association
- American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopedists & Medicine Partner
- Medical Advisory Board PowerStep Medical Advisory Board iRemedy
- Fellow, American Association Podiatric Practice Management
Organizations
Professional Recognitions
Dr. Freels has been consulted as an expert foot and ankle specialist for WKYT, WLEX, FOX 56, WTVQ, WKYT, Family Practice Associates, PM News, Wall Street Journal, Southern Living, SELF Magazine, Yahoo News and many more. She has been featured in several podiatry journals and contributed to multiple national magazine articles. She is considered a leading expert in foot and ankle issues! Nationally, she frequently participates in podcasts and hosts webinars educating other podiatrists on various topics in the medical field.
Locally, she has been a columnist for KYForward, TOPS Magazine, Chevy Chaser and Health 360, allowing her to share tips and advice with Kentuckians state-wide. Her passion for foot health education has led her to become a recognized resource for the latest in advanced podiatry technology and treatments.
Dr. Freels is double Board Certified and has been ranked the Top Podiatrist in Lexington for over 17 years by Google, Three Best Rated MD, RateMds, Healthgrades and received the Top Women in Business award by the Lane Report. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.
See Dr. Freels in Action!
