At Advanced Foot and Ankle Center of San Diego, we treat every patient like family—because we’re a family-owned practice.

Over the past decade, Wall Street has quietly moved into exam rooms and operating suites. Venture capital and private equity firms are buying up podiatry practices across the country, turning independent medical clinics into profit-driven corporations. This trend may be good for investors—but it’s rarely good for patients.

At Advanced Foot and Ankle Center of San Diego, Dr. Wrotslavsky has taken a different path. For close to 20 years, this family-owned practice has stayed completely independent, with no outside investors, and no shortcuts when it comes to care. While many practices have “sold out,” Dr. Wrotslavsky has remained committed to one thing: doing what’s best for the patient—every time.

What Happens When Venture Capital Takes Over?

Private equity doesn’t invest in podiatry out of a passion for foot health. These firms are focused on maximizing return on investment, often within a 3–5 year window. Once a practice is acquired, the pressure is on to increase profitability—fast.

That can lead to:

• Shorter appointments and *higher patient volume*—making it harder to get a thorough evaluation.

• Limits on treatment options, especially if newer technologies or procedures don’t align with the profit model.

• Administrative control over clinical decisions, where medically trained doctors are second-guessed or overruled by non-medical executives.

• High staff turnover, as experienced teams are replaced to cut labor costs.

The end result? Patients receive care that’s less personalized, less thoughtful, and more about revenue than results.

How to Tell If Your Doctor Is Truly Independent

If you’re unsure whether your provider is part of a corporate group, here are a few signs to look for:

• Does the practice still have the original doctor’s name on the door? Large groups often rebrand clinics under umbrella names.

• Are treatment plans thoroughly explained and tailored to you—or do they feel standardized?

• Do you see the same provider consistently, or is there frequent turnover?

• Can your doctor refer you anywhere, or only within a restricted network of facilities and surgeons?

• *When you ask about treatment options, do you hear about what’s best for _*you_—or what’s covered, available, or most commonly done?

Don’t be afraid to ask directly: “Is this practice independently owned? Are your treatment recommendations ever influenced by non-physician administrators?” A good doctor will appreciate the question—and have nothing to hide.

Why It Matters

When a practice is owned by investors, the goal is profit. When a practice is owned by a physician, the goal is healing. Dr. Wrotslavsky is Board-certified by the American Board of Foot And Ankle Surgeons and has dedicated his career to treating complex foot and ankle problems with integrity, skill, and full clinical autonomy. There’s no corporate playbook here—just honest, high-quality care backed by decades of experience.

At Advanced Foot and Ankle Center of San Diego, we treat every patient like family—because we’re a family-owned practice. We haven’t sold out to Wall Street, and we never will.

Your feet carry you through life. Make sure your care is grounded in independence, not investor interests.