Dr. Lee Wittenberg, DPM

Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist) | Foot & Ankle Surgery

8530 West Sunset Road Ste 345 Las Vegas NV, 89113 Show map

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About

Dr. Lee Wittenberg is a board certified podiatrist practicing in Las Vegas, NV. Dr. Wittenberg was recently given the honor of becoming the Executive Director of the American Board of Lower Extremity Surgery. Dr. Wittenberg is the ONLY Foot & Ankle surgeon in Las Vegas board certified by 2 different surgical boards in foot surgery and in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, being certified by the American Board of Lower Extremity Surgery and the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Dr. Wittenberg is a medical doctor specializing in the treatment of the foot, ankle, and related parts of the leg. As a podiatrist, Dr. Wittenberg diagnoses and treats conditions of the feet. The feet are key body parts that give a person stability, absorb shock, allow for walking and standing and are necessary for overall well-being. So, the feet need expert care. Specialize in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery requires a great deal of understanding of the body's biomechanics. Dr. Wittenberg also is a specialist in wound care and limb salvage, sports medicine, diabetic care and pediatrics.

Education and Training

Ohio College of Podiatric Medcine DPM 2000

Board Certification

American Board of Lower Extremity Surgery

Foot Surgery (Podiatric Surgery)

Reconstructive Rearfoot / Ankle Surgery (Podiatric Surgery)

Provider Details

Male English, Spanish

Dr. Lee Wittenberg, DPM

Dr. Lee Wittenberg, DPM's Expert Contributions

My Latest Posts
My Answers

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 lead to a stroke or a heart attack), a weakening of the immune system, possible amputation, and a decreased overall life...
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 foot swelling is venous insufficiency. What is venous insufficiency? It is a problem of pooling of fluid or retention of...
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 their heel or along the bottom of the arch that came on suddenly. Symptoms usually consist of pain that starts with the...
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 2 bones in a joint), which includes spurring or bone growth around the joint, most obvious at the top of the 1st...
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 this type of pain. Problems that we see include Neuromas (Nerve impingements at the ball of the foot), Capsulitis/joint...
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 their heel or along the bottom of the arch that came on suddenly. Symptoms usually consist of pain that starts with...

Working an 8-hour shift with wet feet?
You likely have a fungal infection or the beginnings of a bacterial infection, or both. Alternatively, there could have been a chemical or dye in the shoes or socks you were wearing that irritated the skin on your feet and caused a dermatitis. I would immediately consult a Podiatrist and have them evaluate the situation so that it does not progress. Worst case scenario-a bacterial infection could spread and even lead to amputation or death if it is not treated properly and in a timely fashion. I also would recommend taking photos for a worker's comp case in the event you decide to involve your work, as this was a work-related incident. READ MORE
Ankle swollen, bruised feels like shooting sparks and burning?
Your problems are neuropathic in nature. "Sparks, Pins and needles, Paresthesias (vice-like pain), Hyperesthesia/Hypersensitivity, Spasms and fasciculations" are all part of neuropathic/nerve-related pain. Tarsal Tunnel and CRPS are Neurologic problems, as well. The Swelling 'caused directly by your bandage applied by the Podiatrist' was, in fact, caused by your Venous Insufficiency, and NOT by the bandage. The bandage just stopped the swelling from extending past its proximal margin. Very few doctors specialize in, or treat CRPS. You will need to go to UCLA where there is an expert in CRPS and other nerve related pain. If CRPS is even mentioned, you should NEVER, EVER have surgery on the affected limb. Any smart or well-educated/well-trained physician would not touch you or do more than talk; you are full of blame toward everyone and your doctors. It is not the physicians who have betrayed you, but your own body and medical issues. I would say you need to find the correct neurologist. I don't think any other physician can even attempt to help your situation. So you can stop your running around, and seek out the appropriate specialist in Neurology to help you, and I would suggest not being blameful of anyone. READ MORE
Toenail surgery?
The way each doctor handles his patients and his post-operative procedures is up to the individual doctor. And it depends on what type of toenail surgery you had. If you had a 'sharp' toenail procedure and the physician used stitches, it will have to remain coverd and stay dry. If you had a more traditional toenail procedure without stitches, in my practice, the patient is soaking his foot and changing the bandages twice a day and then follows up in 2 weeks. I can not tell you to change the instructions your physician gave to you without knowing what was done specifically. READ MORE
How long before you can walk after hammertoe surgery?
The answer to this question really is a decision made by your surgeon. But in my practice, no matter what type of surgery you have, you are looking at 2-3 weeks of rest and elevation of the surgical foot. However, my patients can walk immediately in the surgical shoe or boot provided after surgery. But for the first 2-3 weeks, walking is limited to transferring from your bed to the bathroom or the couch or the kitchen (for short periods of time no more than 15-20 minutes). After the sutures come out (in my practice that is in 2.5-3 weeks after surgery), the patient goes back into normal shoes. Some doctors, however, use wires that protrude out of the toes after surgery. You may be looking at 5-6 weeks of non weight bearing if this is the case. Again, the answer to this question is dependent on your surgeon and what type of fixation and surgery they use. READ MORE
When is ankle surgery necessary?
Ankle surgery is NECESSARY when you have certain pathologies of the joint. Certain types of ankle fractures may be casted and may not require surgery to fix, but others that are very unstable REQUIRE surgery. Surgery is REQUIRED when the syndesmosis between the Tibia and Fibula is torn or ruptured. Surgery is REQUIRED when you have a dislocation of the ankle. Any infection in the ankle REQUIRES surgery. Other pathologies may be dealt with in various ways (conservatively or surgically), depending on the severity of the pathology. For example, severe ankle arthritis will require an ankle fusion or joint replacement. An Osteochondral Defect of the ankle may or may not require surgery. READ MORE
What is the average recovery time for ankle replacement surgery?
Average recovery is 2-3 months after a total ankle replacement surgery. Post-surgica swelling will persist for up to 1 year after surgery. These are estimate for a patient who does not experience any complications after surgery READ MORE
What can you never do after ankle surgery?
That is completely dependent on what type of ankle surgery you have. If you have an ankle arthroscopy, there is no restriction or limitation in your activity after you heal. If you have an ankle fracture repair, you will not be able to be active or weight bearing for 6-8 weeks, and then you should have little to no restrictions after surgery. If you have an ankle fusion, you will never be able to move the ankle joint again. So you may be very limited in activity. READ MORE
Can a broken big toe that happened 35 years ago cause problems years later like varicose veins?
No-a broken bone from 35 years ago does not cause varicose veins. AGE related and trauma related issues with the venous system causes varicose veins-they are a circulatory disorder. You have multiple medical issues that may have contributed to varicose veins. But a simple broken toe-absolutely has NOTHING to do with your circulatory issues. READ MORE
How can I relieve my ankle pain?
It depends on why you have ankle pain. Is it arthritis? A chronic ligament sprain or tear? An osteochondral defect of your talus or tibial plafind? Or perhaps it’s a tendon issue around the ankle, and the joint isn’t involved, at all? The only way to know how to treat your pain is for you to see a specialist and have the issue properly evaluated. READ MORE
When should I see a podiatrist for foot pain?
A Podiatrist specializes in foot pain. If you have been experiencing foot pain for more than 1-2 months, you should see a podiatrist. You will be happy you did, as most patients leave with a good diagnosis and treatment plan, and their pains are usually resolved expediently READ MORE
Toenail fungus treatment that doesn't interact with warfarin?
The best way to treat toenail fungus is with a medication called Lamisil. Taking warfarin with this medicine is safe, but there may be an increased risk of bleeding with the combination of the 2 medications, and close monitoring of your bleeding times will have to be monitored. There may be a dose adjustment for the warfarin while taking the Lamisil, but the course of Lamisil is only 3 months. All other treatments, including laser, are topical, so there is no contra-indication for any of them with Warfarin. But most topical treatments do not work READ MORE
Thick nail?
You have likely developed nail fungus-possibly secondary to having the nail procedure, or possibly secondary to simply contracting the fungus, which is common in patients even without such a procedure. A Podiatrist can take a clipping of your nail as a biopsy and send it for pathologic examination to see if they can identify fungus in the nail, and the. You can be treated, accordingly READ MORE
How do you get rid of ankle pain after surgery?
What type of surgery did you have? When did you have surgery? Why is your surgeon not available for you to discuss your post-operative course? It is impossible to answer your question without details about what has happened. I highly suggest if you are having issues after surgery, you should speak with the surgeon who performed the surgery. If he/she is unwilling to visit with you and answer your questions, physicially go to see someone for a second opinion. READ MORE
When should you see an orthopedist for foot pain?
You should see a Podiatrist who has at least 2 years of surgical residency training and is board certified in foot surgery and in reconstructive ankle and rearfoot surgery; you should never see an orthopedist for foot and ankle problems, as they do not receive enough training in the pathologies or biomechanics of the foot and ankle. But you should see someone if the pain is interfering in your lifestyle/quality of life/activity level. READ MORE
Sprained ankle?
The white areas you are seeing with the ‘spike or hump’ is what we call an effusion (excess fluid) inside the ankle joint. Effusions come with injury/trauma and are a sign of swelling after a recent injury. The shape of the spike is just the way the fluid is showing up inside-there is no physical spike or hump there. READ MORE
Foot pain?
The most likely answer is there may be ‘neuropathy’ in your feet. Neuropathy means the nerves have changed their conduction and are sending ‘strange’ information or signals to your brain. In some cases, neuropathy burns, sometimes people say things like you’re saying, others complain of paresthesias, such as a feeling of bugs crawling on them, numbness, tingling and the problem is worse at night when you’re actually resting or in bed, and sometimes wakes you from sleep or stops you from getting to sleep. The best way to find out is to visit a podiatrist who can order a nerve conduction study through a referral to a neurologist. Alternatively, you may have tendinitis or arthritis, but to me, it sounds like neuropathy. READ MORE
Does a podiatrist take care of foot deformities?
Of course a Podiatrist takes care of foot deformities. But there are differences in the training of Podiatrists, and you should look for a well-trained Podiatrist who had a 3-year surgical residency training, or a Podiatrist who had a 2-year surgical residency training plus a fellowship in reconstructive surgical procedures, as well as board certification in Foot and Ankle surgery in order to be properly taken care of. You can find the training levels of the Podiatrists in your area by contacting the Board of Podiatry in your particular state to find out who is board certified in foot and ankle surgery, and what type of residency training the Podiatrists in your area had. Do your research-we are NOT all created equal! READ MORE
What is the latest treatment for sports related foot pain?
This question is too broad and vague to give an answer. It really is dependent on what type of injury/pain you are experiencing and in what part of the foot the pain is located. There are 26 (+2) bones, 30 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the foot and ankle. There are many nerves and blood vessels in the foot and ankle. So, there are many different things that may go wrong or may cause pain, and there does not necessarily have to be a sports-related injury to have foot and ankle pain. READ MORE
Can Haglund's deformity be cured without surgery?
Haglund's deformity can not be 'cured' without surgery. It is a structural/boney problem, and will not go away on its own. However, there are things that can be done to alleviate pain from the problem, and if they work, you do not need surgical intervention to handle the pain from the problem. Wearing shoes that are backless (mule type shoes) or wearing shoes that do not press against the Achilles tendon and the posterior heel too tightly may alleviate the symptoms. Believe it or not, high heels (even 2" heels) will tilt the Calcaneus forward, alleviating pressure off the Achilles, which is usually the cause of the pain (the calcaneal bone pressing against the Achilles and the pressure from the shoes impinging the tendon against the heel bone). Also, there is something you can buy called a Silipos Achilles Tendon Sleeve, which is like an ACE ankle brace with a piece of silicone that alleviates pressure from the shoes against the Achilles tendon. READ MORE
Leg and foot pain?
"Traveling" pain is very difficult to diagnose without seeing the patient in person. In fact, it is difficult even when there is a person-to-person appointment. It is very difficult to isolate one diagnosis when the pain is in so many different locations. Cramping and Spasms can be related to electrolyte imbalances, neurologic conditions, sprains/strains/contusions, neuro-muscular issues that globally affect the body, autoimmune disease, blood clots, and many other things. For this particular question, I am going to highly recommend you see someone in person for a proper evaluation and treatment. READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

Reconstructive Foot & Ankle surgeryWound care and limb salvageDiabetic Foot Care, Diabetic shoesOrthotics and biomechanics of the foot and anklePlantar fasciitisNerve pain and NeuropathyNueromasTendonitisArthritis of the foot and ankleFlat Foot and Flat Foot ReconstructionToenail FungusIngrowing ToenailsFoot and leg woundsInfections of the foot and ankleAthlete's Foot and fungal infectionsRashes, DermatitisFoot Pain, Ankle pain