Writer / Matt Keating
Photographer / Erin Feldmeyer
Dr. Drew H. Christie, owner of Christie Foot & Ankle, 3031 Meridian Meadows Road, Greenwood, says he can’t emphasize enough how important foot and ankle care is.
“The feet truly are the foundation of the body,” Dr. Christie says. “Unfortunately, patients don’t realize how important their feet are until they have problems. Foot and ankle problems result in countless hours of missed employment and leisure each year.”
Dr. Christie, who has a Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine, (DPM), notes that the feet and ankles are often times one of the first areas of the body to show signs of other conditions, mainly diabetes and heart disease.
“Healthy feet and ankles result in a longer, more active lifestyle for employment and enjoyment,” Dr. Christie says.
Christie Foot & Ankle, which was founded in 2017, treats any and all conditions related to the foot and ankle, some more prevalent than others. Dr. Christie’s mission is to provide superior, quality foot and ankle care to the community in which he was raised.
“Far and away the most common foot condition we see is heel pain, which can be caused by a few different conditions,” Dr. Christie says. “Most often, heel pain is caused by plantar fasciitis, or Achilles tendinitis, and treated easily in our office. We also commonly treat new and old ankle sprains or fractures.”
Dr. Christie, a graduate of Perry Meridian, loves the Greenwood and Center Grove area.
“Even though our office has only been open for the past year, we are all from the local area,” Dr. Christie says. “We enjoy helping and treating everyone, but it’s special when we have the opportunity to treat our own community. Our community ties have helped us in many different ways, and we are excited to be able to give back. We are currently holding our annual shoe drive to benefit local communities and will be offering local high school scholarships starting in 2019.”
Dr. Christie says he performs surgeries for foot and ankle conditions as well.
“My surgical privileges allow me to treat any and all conditions involving the toes, feet and ankles,” Dr. Christie adds. “I surgically treat many conditions from diabetic wounds to cosmetic hammertoes, all the way to ankle fractures. Surgery is an excellent treatment option, but surgery is not for every patient. I primarily operate out of Community South Hospital and am exploring options further south down Indiana State Road 135.”
Dr. Christie comes from a family of medicine and is surrounded by it every day. He and his family have enjoyed various aspects of medicine and helping those in Indianapolis for four generations.
His great-grandfather, Merrill G. Christie, owned and operated his own pharmacy south of Indianapolis, while his grandfather, Marvin C. Christie, MD, practiced medicine from his offices in Beech Grove and the St. Francis health network. Dr. Christie’s father, Randall C. Christie, DDS, practices dentistry in Greenwood. His mother, Gwynn, MSPT, practices home health physical therapy in the greater Indianapolis area. Dr. Christie’s brothers, coincidentally, are doctors as well. Colin Christie, OD, practices optometry on the south side and greater Indianapolis area, while Reid Christie, DPM, practices podiatry in New Hampshire.
Dr. Christie’s wife, Jennifer, is an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist practicing in Greenwood as well.
“Simply put, I love my family,” Dr. Christie says. “I wouldn’t be where I am, or who I am today without my family. “Our family has a unique mixture of medical specialties, which allows for some pretty interesting family discussions to say the least. My brothers and I are fortunate to grow from a family of medicine, but there was an underlying message instilled from our parents at a very young age — ‘Always help others, and do the right thing.’ This has, and will continue to be, our message to future generations.”
When he isn’t working, Christie is an avid soccer supporter and enjoys spending time with his wife Jennifer and sons Cade and Cole.
Christie says every patient that comes through Christie Foot & Ankle’s doors is different and treated with the utmost respect and care.
“Some individuals have more complex problems than others and thus require more time and care,” Dr. Christie says. “Our opportunity to help involves giving the patients the information and discussing and developing with them the treatments most suitable to their needs. Our care is unique and personalized to each patient and, as a result, we have great outcomes.”
Dr. Christie adds that he and his staff want to educate the community on what podiatry is.
“It is estimated that about 15 percent of the general population knows what ‘podiatry’ entails,” he says. “A majority of that 15 percent feels podiatry is simply cutting toenails. Our office is here to change those perceptions and educate the community. We are here to educate our patients as well as other medical professionals. Our doors are open, so come and visit. Let us show you what we can do.”
