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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.
Learn More About Me
21 years Experience
Dr. Lee A. Wittenberg, DPM
Specializes in:
  • Foot Injuries and Disorders
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Ohio College of Podiatric Medcine
  • Accepting new patients

Will toenail fungus go away on its own?

Toenail fungus is difficult to get rid of, even with the appropriate medical treatment. If you let it go, it will likely worsen and spread into other toes. Home remedies do not READ MORE
Toenail fungus is difficult to get rid of, even with the appropriate medical treatment. If you let it go, it will likely worsen and spread into other toes. Home remedies do not usually work. See a physician.

What are the symptoms of a bunion?

A bunion is a deformity in which the Hallux (big toe) is laterally deviated and the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint. Most pain begins with pain at the medial eminence (the 'bump' READ MORE
A bunion is a deformity in which the Hallux (big toe) is laterally deviated and the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint. Most pain begins with pain at the medial eminence (the 'bump' at the inside of the forefoot) from rubbing on shoe gear. There may then begin to be joint pain with motion of the joint and activity. There are many other reasons for pain at the big toe. It could be an ingrowing toenail, arthritic or functional issues with the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint, tight or inappropriate shoes, and the list goes on. It is best to see a Podiatrist to evaluate what the issue actually is before deciding on a diagnosis or a treatment.

My right foot has been hurting, what could it be?

The most likely cause of your pain is called Plantar Fasciitis. It depends on how long the problem has been present and how much it is interfering with your activity that will READ MORE
The most likely cause of your pain is called Plantar Fasciitis. It depends on how long the problem has been present and how much it is interfering with your activity that will decide if you should see a specialist for the problem, but podiatrists are very good at taking care of this problem

How can I treat an ingrown toenail?

It is unwise to try to treat your ingrown toenail at home. By the time they are very uncomfortable, they are often infected and need to be treated with oral antibiotics to get READ MORE
It is unwise to try to treat your ingrown toenail at home. By the time they are very uncomfortable, they are often infected and need to be treated with oral antibiotics to get rid of the infection, and the offending nail border must be removed aggressively, or the infection will recur as soon as the course of antibiotics is finished. Soaking in Epsom salts or Dial antibacterial hand soap in warm water, then keeping the area covered with a band aid and topical antibiotic ointment is the best way to handle the problem until you can see a Podiatrist. There will be 2 choices of treatment at the Podiatrist's office: A removal of the offending border, or a more permanent removal of the side of the nail that is bothering you by doing a procedure called a Matricectomy in the office. This yields a good cosmetic result, and usually stops the edge that is bothering you from growing back.

How can I treat an ankle that hurts?

There are many reasons your ankle may be hurting. You could be compressing the cartilage in the ankle joint with high impact activity, like jumping and running. You may have READ MORE
There are many reasons your ankle may be hurting. You could be compressing the cartilage in the ankle joint with high impact activity, like jumping and running. You may have a ligament issue around the ankle joint. Sometimes people feel the pain is in the ankle, but it is actually in the foot. If you would like to try treatment at home, remember this pneumonic: RICE. Rest (stop playing basketball for 2-4 weeks), Ice, Compression (ACE wrap or ankle brace), and elevation. You can also take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, like Ibuprofen or Naproxen. But if the pain persists, go see a well-trained podiatrist.

What causes toenails to be thick and yellow?

Toenail fungus. Get it treated sooner than later. Over the counter medications are not very effective for the problem

What can be the cause of my toe pain?

If it is red, it is possible you could have an infection, and you should immediately see a medical professional or specialist so that your infection does not spread. You may have READ MORE
If it is red, it is possible you could have an infection, and you should immediately see a medical professional or specialist so that your infection does not spread. You may have an ingrown toenail. It could be some other issue.

Are high heels safe for my feet?

High heels are not good for your feet. The more you wear them, the more problems you will have in the future with your feet. When you wear even a low heel, gravity pushes your READ MORE
High heels are not good for your feet. The more you wear them, the more problems you will have in the future with your feet. When you wear even a low heel, gravity pushes your toes into the toe box of the shoe, which, in turn, smashes your toes together both with medial to lateral pressure as well as with posterior to anterior pressure (what this means is your toes are being not only mashed together from side-to-side, but also pushed into the front of the shoe). These things contribute to Neuromas, hammer toes, bunions, Hallux rigidus, tendonitis, neuritis, and other problems. If you are going to wear heels, do so infrequently and look for shoes that are not too high in the heel and look for shoes that have a more round or squared off toe box.

Why is there swelling on my foot?

Any time I do surgery on a patient, I tell them to expect a minimum of 6 months to 1 year of post-operative swelling. The swelling gets better and better as you get further away READ MORE
Any time I do surgery on a patient, I tell them to expect a minimum of 6 months to 1 year of post-operative swelling. The swelling gets better and better as you get further away in time from the date of surgery. HOWEVER, infections and wound dehiscence (when the surgical wound does not close) also cause inflammation and swelling. So you will have a longer period of swelling than an average surgical patient.

What are the best creams for toenail fungus?

Creams and topical remedies do not usually work well for toenail fungus. You can try many types of liquid over the counter medications, like 'funginail,' or you can go to a Podiatry READ MORE
Creams and topical remedies do not usually work well for toenail fungus. You can try many types of liquid over the counter medications, like 'funginail,' or you can go to a Podiatry office and buy 'Formula 3,' which has a money back guarantee. But if you use topical antifungals, you are looking at about 9 months to 2-3 years of application of the medication, usually with no results. The best way to treat toenail fungus is with oral antifungals prescribed by your Podiatrist.

Is the pain in my toe because of an ingrown toenail?

Ingrown toenails may definitely be a cause of toe pain. There are other causes of toe pain, however, and without seeing you as a patient, it is difficult to discern exactly what READ MORE
Ingrown toenails may definitely be a cause of toe pain. There are other causes of toe pain, however, and without seeing you as a patient, it is difficult to discern exactly what the problem is. If it is an ingrown toenail, you have to discern if it is infected or just painful because it is ingrown. Either way, the offending border must be removed to alleviate the infection, or to prevent a new infection. The best thing to do would be to make an appointment with a local Podiatrist in your area to have your problem evaluated and your treatment options explained.

What are the treatment options for toe fungus?

Toenail fungus is actually very difficult to get rid of, but is mostly a cosmetic problem, and will not necessarily cause any health problems. There are many over-the-counter READ MORE
Toenail fungus is actually very difficult to get rid of, but is mostly a cosmetic problem, and will not necessarily cause any health problems. There are many over-the-counter remedies easily obtainable at pharmacies, and there are some home remedies that people talk about, but most of these treatments do not work. You can try an actual anti-fungal for nail fungus, Vick's Vaporub, Tea Tree oil, soaking in bleach, etc. But these have been innefective for my patients. The best treatment we have so far is an oral medication called Lamisil. Lamisil has been effective in about 80% of my patients in my 20 years of practice, but you do require a blood test prior to taking the medication, and there are certain contraindications, such as cholesterol lowering medications. Your best option is to see a local Podiatrist

Why does the center of my foot hurt when I walk?

It is very difficult to know where you mean by 'the center of my feet' without a physical examination. If you mean your arch, you could have plantar fasciitis or tendonitis. READ MORE
It is very difficult to know where you mean by 'the center of my feet' without a physical examination. If you mean your arch, you could have plantar fasciitis or tendonitis. If you're talking about the ball of your foot, you could have a neuroma or a stress fracture. There are a multitude of possible diagnoses. You should seek the assistance of a well-trained Podiatrist. Orthotics may help your problem, but they must be made appropriately to treat the particular problem you have. The over-the-counter orthotics/arch supports are usually not very good, and are often a rip off (like the good feet store or foot solutions, where the people helping you are laymen, and not medical professionals. These types of stores charge you several hundred dollars for their devices that you can usually find on line for $25-$50. They tell you that the devises are 'custom made,' but they are off-the-shelf pre-fabricated devices that do not help very much

What is the best way to treat ingrown toenails?

It is unwise to try to treat your ingrown toenail at home. By the time they are very uncomfortable, they are often infected and need to be treated with oral antibiotics to get READ MORE
It is unwise to try to treat your ingrown toenail at home. By the time they are very uncomfortable, they are often infected and need to be treated with oral antibiotics to get rid of the infection, and the offending nail border must be removed aggressively, or the infection will recur as soon as the course of antibiotics is finished. Soaking in Epsom salts or Dial antibacterial hand soap in warm water, then keeping the area covered with a band aid and topical antibiotic ointment is the best way to handle the problem until you can see a Podiatrist. There will be 2 choices of treatment at the Podiatrist's office: A removal of the offending border, or a more permanent removal of the side of the nail that is bothering you by doing a procedure called a Matricectomy in the office. This yields a good cosmetic result, and usually stops the edge that is bothering you from growing back.

Why is one of my toes smaller than the others?

The most likely answer is that you have a condition known as 'Brachymetatarsia.' This is a genetic condition in which one or more of the metatarsals (the long bones just before READ MORE
The most likely answer is that you have a condition known as 'Brachymetatarsia.' This is a genetic condition in which one or more of the metatarsals (the long bones just before your toes) is too short in relation to the surrounding metatarsal bones, and thus, the toe is shorter. If it is painful, address it with a 3-year surgically trained and board certified Podiatrist. If it is not painful, don't worry about it. You can live with that condition with no issues or problems for your entire life

Is there an effective way to remove and prevent corns?

Corns and Calluses are 'pressure' lesions. They occur when the skin gets trapped between the bone and the shoe or the surface you are walking on. When most people refer to 'corns,' READ MORE
Corns and Calluses are 'pressure' lesions. They occur when the skin gets trapped between the bone and the shoe or the surface you are walking on. When most people refer to 'corns,' they are talking about a callus on the top of a toe, usually over the Proximal or Distal Interphalangeal Joint. There is usually a hammer toe that makes the top of the toe rub against the shoe. Corns can be trimmed, but they will always return if the deformity is not corrected (ie: straightening the hammer toe) or if the patient does not stop wearing shoes that press on the toe (ie: tight shoes like dressy shoes and high heels usually make the corns worse because they are tighter in the toe box and have less room for the toe/deformity). Straightening a hammer toe is a surgical procedure.

What is Morton's neuroma?

A Neuroma is an impingement of the plantar (bottom of the foot) nerves at the ball of the foot which may result in a bulbous and painful swelling and irritation of the nerve. Common READ MORE
A Neuroma is an impingement of the plantar (bottom of the foot) nerves at the ball of the foot which may result in a bulbous and painful swelling and irritation of the nerve.
Common symptoms are burning pain, pain at the ball of the foot, and tingling and numbness at the ball
of the foot and sometimes into the toes. People often come in with strange sensations, such as a feeling
of 'a sock or material bunched up under or between the toes.' Initial treatments for neuromas include
injections with cortisone, oral anti-inflammatory medication, and biomechanical off-loading using
orthotics and metatarsal pads. If conservative treatments are ineffective, patients may opt for a series
of Alcohol sclerosing injections to shrink and kill the nerve, or surgical excision of the nerve. These
treatments, however, are destructive (to the nerve) and often leave a patient with permanent numbness, so they are a last resort. Contributing factors are high heel, flat feet, and hammertoes.

How do ingrown toenails get infected?

All infections are caused by microorganisms (bacteria/fungi/viruses). In the case of an ingrown toenail, the nail, itself, is dirty, and if it penetrates the skin on the side READ MORE
All infections are caused by microorganisms (bacteria/fungi/viruses). In the case of an ingrown toenail, the nail, itself, is dirty, and if it penetrates the skin on the side of the nail, it can impregnate the area with microorganisms, causing infection. In your case, the instruments you used to 'dig it out' may have been dirty/contaminated, and you may have introduced the bacteria into the area by attempting your own treatment.

Are orthotics enough for foot bunions?

It depends on what you are referring to as a 'bunion.' Many of my patients call corns and calluses bunions-but that is not what a bunion is. A bunion is a deformity of the foot READ MORE
It depends on what you are referring to as a 'bunion.' Many of my patients call corns and calluses bunions-but that is not what a bunion is. A bunion is a deformity of the foot where the angle between the 1st and 2nd metatarsals increases, and the big to deviates laterally to the articulation of the 1st metatarso-phalangeal joint. Orthotics may slow the progression or prevent worsening of a bunion, but once a bunion is there, the only way to correct it is to have surgery. Look up Bunions. Look up Hallux Valgus (the medical term for bunion).

Should I try to remove a toenail?

If the nail is more than 90% lysed off the nail bed, you can remove the nail. Just make sure the area does not get infected (red/swollen/pus/pain). Keep the nail covered at all READ MORE
If the nail is more than 90% lysed off the nail bed, you can remove the nail. Just make sure the area does not get infected (red/swollen/pus/pain). Keep the nail covered at all times with a band aid and antibiotic ointment (Neosporin) until the wound bed appears to be fully healed or has a stable scab. If there are signs of infection, see your primary doctor or a Podiatrist ASAP.