Dr. Steven Lam, DPM
Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist) | Foot Surgery
104 Hackett Blvd Albany NY, 12209About
Dr. Steven Lam, DPM grew up in Niskayuna, NY and graduated from SUNY Buffalo State in 1999. He had always been interested in sports medicine and surgery, and found podiatry as a means to practice medicine, help people and find fulfillment in his professional life. Dr. Lam completed his studies in podiatric medicine at Temple University in 2004 and continued his education with a three-year surgical residency at The Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia, PA where he was named chief resident his third year. His training focused on all aspects of foot and ankle surgery, including the reconstruction of the foot and ankle and diabetic limb salvage. He is one of the only podiatrists in the area that is dually board certified in both Podiatric Surgery and Podiatric Medicine.
Education and Training
Temple University DPM 2004
Board Certification
American Board of Podiatric Medicine
American Board of Podiatric Surgery
Foot Surgery (Podiatric Surgery)
Internal MedicineAmerican Board of Internal MedicineABIM
Provider Details
Dr. Steven Lam, DPM's Expert Contributions
Warts
As summer is winding down, hopefully most people have managed to enjoy the nicer weather by spending their time outdoors. Going barefoot, wearing flip-flops, and swimming in pools exposes our feet to the outdoor environment. Warts are common, benign soft tissue infections that can be picked up...
How can I fix my heel pain?
Most heel pain is caused by plantar fasciitis. If you have plantar fasciitis, then that is usually treated with rest from strenuous activity/exercising, considerable stretching, and anti inflammatories. I would suggest looking up stretching for plantar fasciitis, and try to stretch for at least 15-30 minutes per day. READ MORE
Do you stay overnight for heel surgery?
Typically most foot and ankle elective surgery is same day surgery, requiring no overnight stay. READ MORE
I think I broke or sprained my foot
It's hard to tell without an x-ray, but it appears to be a bruise or hematoma. Ice, compression and rear should help. If your symptoms do not improve over the next few days, you may want to consider having it evaluated and getting an xray READ MORE
Can sitting too much cause ankle pain?
Sitting shouldn't cause ankle pain. If you have pain radiating to your ankle when you sit, you may be impinging the sciatica nerve in your hip area, causing pain. READ MORE
Is swollen feet and ankles a serious condtion?
As we get older, feet and legs tend to swell.more during the end of the day, due to us being on our feet all day. That can be alleviated by wearing compression stockings or trying to elevate the feet more. However, persistent swelling may also be an indication that you are retaining fluid, and the kidneys may not be functioning efficiently, or the heart may not be pumping strong enough to move fluid around. Definitely worth getting checked out by your primary care physician. READ MORE
Will plantar fasciitis go away on its own?
It typically gets worse if you ignore it. If you want it to go away then you have to treat it. I would start by going online and looking up stretches to do for plantar fasciitis, and do them. Spend 15-30 minutes a day stretching. Avoid running, jogging and long walks for a few weeks to allow the injured plantar fascia to heal. READ MORE
Foot infections?
Looks like you have plantars warts READ MORE
Sprained ankle?
Xrays are mainly used to identify bone injuries, not really for soft tissue injuries involving ligaments or tendons. Typically, clinical manipulation and palpation of the structures around the ankle can let the examiner know what may or may not be injured. If you still can not put weight on the ankle, then I would suggest you make an appointment with a podiatrist or orthopedist who treats ankle injuries. READ MORE
Why do I have flat feet?
Flat feet are typically genetic. Some people have flatter feet/arches secondary to the bone structures in their feet; some people develop flattened arches/feet over time due to injury or trauma to their posterior tibial tendon. Most people that have flat feet are asymptomatic. If you have pain, then you should seek treatment. Having flat feet is not why you have pain, it's the abnormal stress on the bones/joints/muscles/tendons that causes the pain. Identifying what and why you are symptomatic will help dictate treatment and ultimately provide you with relief. READ MORE
Burning sensation in sole of both feet?
Probably not. You may want to consider some physical therapy to address the sural neuropathy. READ MORE
Planters wart?
First of all, you have to make sure that you are dealing with a wart and not a deep callus/corn. A callus/corn is formed secondary to pressure, and a wart is a virus that has invaded the outer layers of your skin (epidermis). Typically, warts are treated with topical acid therapy under occlusion. It may take a few treatments to completely eradicate the wart. OTC salicylic acid treatments are effective, though take some time to work. Treatments performed at a doctor's office use stronger concentrations of salicylic acid and can eradicate the wart faster. READ MORE
What causes bad heel pain?
The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the plantar fascia on the bottom of the foot. As we age, the plantar fascia gets tighter, and there is less activity that it can tolerate when it is tight. You should look up some stretching exercises for plantar fasciitis, do them for 15-30 minutes per day. If you are not better in a few weeks, make an appointment with a podiatrist for further care. READ MORE
My toe bump?
It could be a wart or a corn. You should see a podiatrist and have it treated. READ MORE
I need help with my feet?
It's tough to tell from your photo, but I would start treatment with a prescription strength steroid cream for on those areas twice a day, and maybe include oral steroid treatment as well. READ MORE
Bunion surgery?
It is normal to have some residual pain up to 1 year from the date of your bunion surgery. READ MORE
Can chiropractors work on bunions?
Chiropractors are not specifically trained to treat bunions. You should consider seeing a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon. READ MORE
Foot drop?
A custom molded hinged afo (ankle foot orthosis) has worked well for my patients. READ MORE
Is my toe infection bad enough to go to the ER?
Your toe is infected. If it's after hours, you should go to urgent care. They will put you on an antibiotic. The infection will also need to be drained. If they don't do it, ask them to refer you to a podiatrist for further care. Good luck. Dr. Steven Lam READ MORE
I have foot pain?
Seems like you either injured your tendon, your bone, or both. I'd start by getting in to see a podiatrist or orthopedist, and get an x-ray. If the x-ray is negative, then you have tendon damage. Most likely you will need immobilization in a camwalker for a period of time, depending on what you injured and how severe. READ MORE
How to treat my mom's bad foot pain?
If her foot is so painful that she can't walk on it, then you really need to get her in to see her primary care physician or urgent care or her podiatrist. There are many other conditions that can cause foot swellibg that she needs to be evaluated for. This is not something that can be helped on this forum. Please, convince your mom to be seen by a medical professional. READ MORE
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