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...

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 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. READ MORE
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 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 READ MORE
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. 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 READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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 READ MORE
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,' 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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). READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
Why is the top of my left foot swollen?
There are many reasons for swelling, including injury, infection, stress fractures, and circulatory problems. The most common circulatory problem causing that type of swelling is Venous Insufficiency (commonly thought of as 'fluid retention'). There is no way to tell what is wrong without an examination READ MORE
What is the best way to eliminate foot odor?
Foot odor is caused by bacteria and fungus. These problems are exacerbated by sweat. Spray your shoes with Lysol at least once a week and allow them to dry before wearing again. Treat any athlete's foot or fungal infections. Change your socks twice a day to eliminate sweat. Treat toenail fungus, if present. There are also over the counter treatments for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), like Certain Dry that you can use to try to decrease the amount of sweating that increases these bacterial and fungal counts READ MORE
Can you treat heel spurs at home?
It depends on what you mean by a 'heel spur.' It sounds like you are talking about a deformity at the posterior heel where the Achilles Tendon inserts, based on your comment that it hurts in tight pumps. If that is the case, there are 2 possible problems (An Enthesis of your Achilles insertion or a Haglund's deformity (a 'Pump Bump)). You must stop wearing shoes that are too tight around the Achilles and alleviate the aggravating factors that are causing the pain. Oral and topical anti-inflammatories may help with the pain. Surgical treatment is sometimes necessary. If you are referencing a plantar heel spur (Plantar Fasciitis), there are other treatments necessary for that problem. READ MORE
What can I do about my nail infection?
Removing your toenail will NOT actually eliminate the infection if you are referring to a toenail fungus. If you are talking about an ingrowing nail with an infected nail fold (a paronychia), you must have the offending portion of the nail removed. If it is a fungal nail infection, the best remedy is an oral medication called Lamisil. READ MORE
How are plantar warts caused?
Plantar warts are caused by a virus (the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). They are difficult to get rid of, as the virus lives in the deepest layer of your dermis. But sometimes patients come into the office thinking they have a wart, but it is another type of lesion. You should have it checked out. Viruses can live outside the human body for very long periods of time and can sit on floors, pool decks, or gym floors, and anywhere that people have walked barefoot. They do not become active until they enter a host cell. READ MORE
How can I reduce the growth of hammer toe?
You can slow the progression of a hammer toe with appropriate shoe gear and orthotics, but it will likely continue to get worse over time. The only way to 'fix' a hammer toe is with surgical intervention. There are ways to make you comfortable with a hammer toe, even if you do not opt for surgery. But if the hammer toe is in its early stages, wearing appropriate shoes and orthotics (arch supports) may restore muscle balance to the point that the deformity resolves-but this would be rare. READ MORE
Can tight shoes cause corns on my feet?
Shoes that are tight in the toe box cause corns, bunions and hammer toes. Hammer toes cause corns. Mechanical issues cause corns. Lee Wittenberg, DPM Apache Foot & Ankle Specialists 4840 S. Fort Apache Rd, Ste 101 Las Vegas, NV 89147 702-362-2622 2980 St. Rose Pkwy, Ste 140 Henderson, NV 89052 702-722-6633 READ MORE
Why do shoes give me a rash?
It could only be the material or the dyes that you’re reacting to. It’s an allergic dermatitis. Figure out what the shoes are made and colored with. You can go to an allergist. Stop wearing that pair of shoes READ MORE
Why is my toe bleeding randomly?
You most likely have an ingrown toenail or it may even be infected. See a podiatrist to havevit taken care of ASAP. READ MORE
What can I do for dry and cracked feet?
The most common cause of fissures is hyperhidrosis and/or mechanical issues (the way your feet are moving in your shoes). There is an over-the-counter cream called ‘Amlactin’ that has a light acid that softens the skin. If the cracks are bad, I have my patients put the cream on at night and wrap their feet overnight in Saran Wrap for a week or 2. Then when you shower in the morning, g over the areas gently with a callus file or pumice stone. Once the problem calms down, you just put the cream on at night and don’t have to use Saran Wrap unless the problem flares up again. (there’s also a prescription version called ‘Ammonium Lactate’ and another with Urea). Also, you should have your shoes and gait evaluated by a Podiatrist. You may need orthotics to change the mechanics of your feet 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