Dr. Nicole Cates is a fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon with years of training dedicated to foot and ankle pathology. Prior to practicing in San Francisco, Dr. Cates completed her fellowship at the University of Maryland. There she specialized in complex foot and ankle conditions including Charcot neuroarthropathy, pediatric clubfoot, limb lengthening, and complex deformity correction under the direction of a highly regarded faculty of fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeons.
Dr. Cates completed her surgical residency at Georgetown University Hospital, where she had the opportunity to train with renowned surgeons in trauma, reconstructive surgery, arthroscopy, sports medicine, and diabetic limb salvage. She received her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree from the California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, California and completed her bachelor’s in chemistry at Clemson University.
Dr. Cates is actively involved in research and has several publications in the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery covering surgical outcomes in Charcot reconstruction and diabetic limb salvage, and innovative surgical techniques. She continues to research new methods and advance the field of foot and ankle surgery in areas like diabetic reconstructive surgery, improving the safety of external fixation devices, and diagnostic methods for common deformities. She also lectures at national and local meetings and is an associate of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
Although Dr. Cates is extensively training in foot and ankle surgical reconstruction, she believes it is imperative to exhaust non-surgical treatment options first. She believes in customized care for each patient with the ultimate goal of returning to full activity, and performing daily activities pain-free.
