EXPERT
Dr. Lee A Wittenberg, DPM
Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist)
Dr. Lee Wittenberg is a 3 year surgically trained Podiatrist. Dr. Wittenberg is trained in all elements of foot and ankle surgery, wound care and limb salvage, and general Podiatric medicine. Dr. Lee Wittenberg is Board Certified by the American Board of Lower Extremity Surgery, as well as the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgeons. Whether you need clinical treatment with orthotics, Diabetic shoes and insoles, or bracing of the foot and ankle for pathologies such as Drop Foot, Flat Foot reconstructions, care of an injury or fracture, or an ankle sprain, you can find the care you need at Apache Foot & Ankle Specialists. Dr. Wittenberg is also a wound care and limb salvage expert. If you have a long-standing or non-healing wound, Diabetes, or other Dermatologic issues, Apache Foot & Ankle Specialists can help you in those areas. Dr. Wittenberg is kind, compassionate, and ethical, and will always be looking out for the patients' best interests.
23 years
Experience
Dr. Lee A. Wittenberg, DPM
- Las Vegas, NV
- Ohio College of Podiatric Medcine
- Accepting new patients
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that affects many of your body systems. It can lead to blindness, kidney disease, disease of the nerves (neuropathy), blockage of the arteries (which may...
Venous Insufficiency/Ankle Swelling
Venous Insufficiency: Why are my ankles and feet swollen? People often ask me as a Podiatrist, ‘why are my ankles, legs and feet swollen? ’ The most common reason for ankle and...
Plantar Fasciitis - Heel Pain
The most common cause of heel pain that I see in my practice is caused by a pathology called ‘Plantar Fasciitis. ’ People usually come in complaining of pain on the inside of...
Hallux Rigidus/Hallux Limitus
There are 2 types of hallux limitus: 1) Structural and 2) Functional. A structural hallux limitus is due to the development of arthritis (a decrease in the cartilage between...
Metatarsalgia: Pain At the Ball of the Foot
It is very common for us to see patients complaining of pain in the balls of the feet and toes. There are many contributing factors and several pathologies which commonly cause...
Plantar Fasciitis
The most common cause of heel pain that I see in my practice is caused by a pathology called ‘Plantar Fasciitis. ’ People usually come in complaining of pain at the inside of...
What shoes to wear with a toe bunion?
A bunion is not on a toe, so I do not know if you're referring to what an actual bunion is, or if you are talking about a corn/callus on a toe. Either way, you need to find shoes READ MORE
A bunion is not on a toe, so I do not know if you're referring to what an actual bunion is, or if you are talking about a corn/callus on a toe. Either way, you need to find shoes that are roomy enough to stop pressure over the area that is bothering you.
What can fix a swollen ankle fast?
It depends on why the ankle is swollen. Is it painful? Did you have a sprain? Swollen ankles can be from simple venous insufficiency to things as complicated as Congestive Heart READ MORE
It depends on why the ankle is swollen. Is it painful? Did you have a sprain? Swollen ankles can be from simple venous insufficiency to things as complicated as Congestive Heart Failure. So it is very important you have the situation checked by a medical professional before you start treating the problem
How long after the ankle sprain can I walk normally?
If you can not walk normally, and it has been more than a week or two since the injury, you need to have the ankle looked at by a medical professional
How long does a swollen heel take to heal?
It depends on the pathology that is causing the swelling. Sometimes swelling is due to circulatory issues. Sometimes it is a response to an injury or a fracture. Without knowing READ MORE
It depends on the pathology that is causing the swelling. Sometimes swelling is due to circulatory issues. Sometimes it is a response to an injury or a fracture. Without knowing the diagnosis, it is impossible to give you appropriate advice.
How long should I ice my heel?
That is dependent on what type of injury you have. For most pathologies, I recommend icing for 15-20 minutes 1-2x per day. Depending on what your pathology is will determine READ MORE
That is dependent on what type of injury you have. For most pathologies, I recommend icing for 15-20 minutes 1-2x per day. Depending on what your pathology is will determine how long/days/months you need to rest and ice. So without a diagnosis, it is very difficult to know what advice to give you.
What are the side effects of a cortisone shot for heel spur?
There are no side effects to a cortisone shot as long as you are not allergic to cortisone. There is a very rare occurrence called a 'steroid flare' where some people will get READ MORE
There are no side effects to a cortisone shot as long as you are not allergic to cortisone. There is a very rare occurrence called a 'steroid flare' where some people will get a painful reaction to a cortisone injection that can last a few days afterwards, but it is very rare. You may only have 3 cortisone injections in a given location during a 12 month period to prevent any weakening/atrophy of soft tissues.
Should I walk on a bruised ankle?
If you CAN walk on a sprained/bruised ankle, that is usually an indication that it is not fractured. But it could still be fractured. I would say if the pain lasts more than READ MORE
If you CAN walk on a sprained/bruised ankle, that is usually an indication that it is not fractured. But it could still be fractured. I would say if the pain lasts more than 5-7 days, you should visit a medical professional to have the ankle examined and likely should also have some imaging studies done to insure there is not a fracture or other pathology associated with the fracture
I think I broke or sprained my foot
You should have the foot x-rayed to insure you do not have a fracture, and an proper evaluation by a medical professional.
Should I massage a bruised ankle?
That depends on how much pain it elicits. If you can bear weight and ambulate without too much pain or trouble, it is likely not fractured. BUT, if it is fractured and you massage READ MORE
That depends on how much pain it elicits. If you can bear weight and ambulate without too much pain or trouble, it is likely not fractured. BUT, if it is fractured and you massage it too much, you could actually displace the fracture fragments, and cause yourself the need for surgery when there may not have been. Alternatively, if you do not get it checked soon enough, and it IS broken, you may end up with bones that do not heal in the proper alignment. You should probably see a physician and have x-rays to insure there is no fracture.
Can ice help with heel pain?
Yes. Ice is a great, natural anti-inflammatory. Most pain is caused by inflammation, and ice is a great way to treat that type of pain. It's great for trauma, ligament and tendon READ MORE
Yes. Ice is a great, natural anti-inflammatory. Most pain is caused by inflammation, and ice is a great way to treat that type of pain. It's great for trauma, ligament and tendon injuries, and many other pathologies.
What exercises are good for a foot bunion?
There are no exercises or splints which will train a bunion/make a bunion go back to its original anatomic position. Orthotics may slow the progression of the bunion deformity. READ MORE
There are no exercises or splints which will train a bunion/make a bunion go back to its original anatomic position. Orthotics may slow the progression of the bunion deformity. Surgery is the only thing that will correct a bunion.
Ankle subluxation
You should currently be wearing an ankle brace for all of your activity until you can have the problem properly examined and evaluated by a Podiatrist or an orthopedic foot and READ MORE
You should currently be wearing an ankle brace for all of your activity until you can have the problem properly examined and evaluated by a Podiatrist or an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist. It is impossible to tell from a photograph what the state of your ligaments and ankle are in. You must have a clinical evaluation, and possibly imaging studies, such as an MRI to further evaluate your situation.
Is the recovery painful from bunion surgery?
Pain is dependent on the individual. Every patient experiences different levels of pain. I have had some patients with minimal pain after a bunionectomy, and some with very significant READ MORE
Pain is dependent on the individual. Every patient experiences different levels of pain. I have had some patients with minimal pain after a bunionectomy, and some with very significant post-operative pain. It is impossible to tell what end of the spectrum you will experience after surgery.
Will I get pan medications after bunion surgery?
Yes. You will probably have significant pain for about 1.5-2 weeks after surgery, and most of us give a narcotic pain medication for about 7-10 days after surgery
How long does it take for an incision to heal after foot surgery?
An incision takes 2-3 weeks to heal, but the repair of whatever is being done will likely take more time to heal than the incision. My patients are often in bandages and can not READ MORE
An incision takes 2-3 weeks to heal, but the repair of whatever is being done will likely take more time to heal than the incision. My patients are often in bandages and can not get their feet wet for an average of 6 weeks after surgery
Is the recovery after bunion surgery painful?
Pain varies from patient to patient. Most of my patients will have some pain for the 1st week after surgery. But we do give pain medication, which usually controls the pain well READ MORE
Pain varies from patient to patient. Most of my patients will have some pain for the 1st week after surgery. But we do give pain medication, which usually controls the pain well for the patient. You are looking at a 6-12 week recovery, depending on the type of bunionectomy/bunion surgery you have.
How long does it take to fix a heel spur?
See my many responses on this site to people about heel pain and plantar fasciitis. The 'spur' is actually an artifact/side effect of having a problem with the plantar fascia, READ MORE
See my many responses on this site to people about heel pain and plantar fasciitis. The 'spur' is actually an artifact/side effect of having a problem with the plantar fascia, which is a ligament. Very easy to treat.
Will an ingrown toenail heal itself?
Sometimes, if you are able to get the offending nail border out. But a lot of times, particularly when there is infection, you need to see a specialist to have the problem addressed READ MORE
Sometimes, if you are able to get the offending nail border out. But a lot of times, particularly when there is infection, you need to see a specialist to have the problem addressed
Can heel spur go away on its own?
A 'spur' will never go away without surgery. But there are treatments which can alleviate the pain from the underlying issue, whether it is a problem with the Achilles tendon READ MORE
A 'spur' will never go away without surgery. But there are treatments which can alleviate the pain from the underlying issue, whether it is a problem with the Achilles tendon or the plantar fascia. So they can be treated.
Foot Swelling
If redness and swelling are 'moving up your leg,' this could be the sign of a very serious infection (cellulitis) that may require hospitalization and/or IV antibiotics. It would READ MORE
If redness and swelling are 'moving up your leg,' this could be the sign of a very serious infection (cellulitis) that may require hospitalization and/or IV antibiotics. It would be in your best interest to visit your local emergency room ASAP to have the issue evaluated immediately.
