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...

Why does my big toe hurt when I apply too much pressure?
There are several common reasons your toe may hurt with pressure. Yes, an ingrown toenail may cause this type of pain. But so might a fungal infection of the nail that causes the nail to thicken and causes pressure on the underlying toe. Also, you could have a boney prominence forming under the nail which might cause pain in the area. There are other pathologies, also, which could cause this kind of pain. Without an examination, it is difficult to say what is causing your pain. READ MORE
Are there home remedies for foot fungus?
This is a difficult question to answer. Is the fungus in your toenails? Or is the fungus on your skin (Athlete's Foot)? If the fungus is on your skin, you can try over the counter anti-fungal creams twice a day to the affected areas. If the fungus is in your toenails, it is a much more difficult problem to rid yourself of. The best treatment for toenail fungus is an oral medication called 'Lamisil.' This must be prescribed by a doctor, and you must have your liver function tested prior to use of the medication. There are over the counter medications and home remedies that you can try, but in my 20 years of experience, they do not work well. Anything you use topically to try to treat the fungus you must use consistently for a minimum of 9 months and for most people, they have to take it for 2-3 years without any resolution or improvement of the problem. If you are female, you can not wear any nail polish if you are using topical treatments, as the medication can not penetrate the nail polish. READ MORE
How can I get rid of a fungal infection?
Though toenail fungus is very difficult to get rid of in some people, and some people simply can not seem to get rid of it, there are several cures. The most effective treatment I have found in my patients is oral medication called Lamisil. Many patients and doctors are afraid of prescribing or taking Lamisil because it is processed by the liver (but so are MANY medications-including all NSAIDS). As long as the liver functions are checked and within normal limits, I have NEVER had a patient have any sort of liver problem from taking Lamisil. You can not take Lamisil or other antifungals if you are taking certain other medications. Alternatively, there are several topical treatments (you need to apply these 1-2 times per day, depending on the medication, for a minimum of 9 months, and often up to 2-3 years). Lastly, there are Laser treatments (these are not covered by insurance, are costly, and usually does not work, or the problem recurs quickly after therapy). No matter what treatment you have, they all take about 9 months to fully cure the problem (even though the oral medication is only taken for 3 months, it takes 9 months to fully clear the nail of the fungus). You should bleach your shower and spray your shoes with Lysol to kill any spores in the environment that may re-infect you. READ MORE
How can I get rid of athlete's foot?
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of your skin. There are several brands of over-the-counter treatments/creams that you can try (I would stay away from the powders), and you will have to use the cream twice a day for successful treatments. If the problem does not resolve within a month of using such treatments, see a Podiatrist in your area and get a stronger, topical anti-fungal medication. Should this not resolve the problem, there are some oral medications that can be used, but they must be monitored through blood work to insure that your liver is functioning properly. Usually Athlete's Foot is easy to cure through topical therapies. READ MORE
How do you repair an ingrown toenail?
Signs of infection include swelling, pain, redness, and drainage (usually a thick yellow to brown colored drainage). An ingrown toenail may hurt and cause swelling and redness without an overt infection, but it is probably on its way to getting infected if it looks like that. Treating ingrowing toenails on your own is tricky, and usually patients end up worsening their problem if they try to take care of it themselves. Urgent Care, Primary Care, and Emergency Room doctors also often worsen the situation with their attempt to treat the problem. A Podiatrist is, by far, your best choice of doctors for treatment. If it is infected, you need antibiotics to treat the infection. (The bones on your feet are very close to the skin. So if the skin is infected, and the infection gets into the bone, it can end up with an amputation of the toe.) The doctor will also likely numb up your toe and remove the offending nail border with special instrumentation. If you are going to attempt to treat this on your own, start by soaking twice a day in warm water with Epsom Salts and keep the toe covered with a bandage and antibiotic ointment at all times. "Airing the area out" is the wrong course of action. Even if this treatment makes you more comfortable for a little while, but more than likely the symptoms will worsen and you will likely need to seek professional help. (Look up Onychia; Paronychia; ingrown toenail.) There is also a permanent solution to the problem called a Matricectomy, in which the offending border is removed under anesthesia, and a chemical is applied to the growth cells to inhibit regrowth of that side of the nail. This is usually not done in the face of infection, but sometimes we will put a patient on antibiotics for a week to clear the infection, and then do the permanent procedure. READ MORE
Is there a cure for toenail fungus?
Though toenail fungus is very difficult to get rid of in some people, and some people simply can not seem to get rid of it, there are several cures. The most effective treatment I have found in my patients is oral medication called Lamisil. Many patients and doctors are afraid of prescribing or taking Lamisil because it is processed by the liver (but so are MANY medications-including all NSAIDS). As long as the liver functions are checked and within normal limits, I have NEVER had a patient have any sort of liver problem from taking Lamisil. You can not take Lamisil or other antifungals if you are taking certain other medications. Alternatively, there are several topical treatments (you need to apply these 1-2 times per day, depending on the medication, for a minimum of 9 months, and often up to 2-3 years). Lastly, there are Laser treatments (these are not covered by insurance, are costly, and usually does not work, or the problem recurs quickly after therapy). No matter what treatment you have, they all take about 9 months to fully cure the problem (even though the oral medication is only taken for 3 months, it takes 9 months to fully clear the nail of the fungus). You should bleach your shower and spray your shoes with Lysol to kill any spores in the environment that may re-infect you. READ MORE
How can I get rid of toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus is very difficulty to get rid of. There are many 'home remedies,' including Vick's VopoRub, Tea tree oil, soaking your feet in bleach and other chemicals, but I have never seen any of these get rid of the problem. The best way to get rid of toenail fungus is with an oral medication. The medication is safe, but is processed by your liver, so your liver functions need to be evaluated prior to starting the medication. It will take 9 months to clear the infection with oral medication, but the treatment is only 1 pill per day for 3 months. There are many topical medications, as well. If you use topical medications, be prepared to spend 9 months to 3-4 years of treatment once or twice a day, depending on the medication. Many times, the topical therapy does not work. Finally, there are laser treatments. They are costly, not covered by insurance, and there is no actual study showing that this treatment is effective at curing the fungus. Even if the fungus clears for a while using the laser, 90% of the time, there is a recurrence of the problem within 1 year of treatment. READ MORE
Why are my feet dry and cracked?
This is a problem that can arise secondary to Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), fungal infections, and abnormal biomechanics. You can try over-the-counter Amlactin cream, and if the problem is bad, you can apply the cream, then wrap your feet in saran wrap for the night. In the morning, you can use a callus file or pumice stone to lightly go over the callused areas, and they should resolve in a few weeks. If it is a fungal infection, this remedy will not help, and you should seek medical attention. READ MORE
Would I need surgery for my heel spur?
In my practice, it is very rare for me to have to do surgery for heel spurs. And, the spur is actually not the problem-the problem is actually with a ligament, the Plantar Fascia, and the problem is really called Plantar Fasciitis. I am usually (99%) able to relieve a patient's Plantar Fasciitis with cortisone injections, foot strappings, orthotics, and a program of stretching and icing. There are also Shock Wave and Miracle Wave therapy and other physical therapy modalities that can be used to treat this problem. Read up on Plantar Fasciitis. If you are not getting better, seek a second opinion. READ MORE
Is there any way to prevent plantar warts?
A plantar wart is actually caused by a Virus (HPV), so it is an infection. There are 7 layers to your Dermis, and the Virus resides in the 7th (deepest) layer. So warts are difficult to get rid of because you have to eradicate the Virus, and they generally have a 60-70% recurrence rate. In my practice, there are many things that I can do to treat them, but they often require multiple treatments. As far as prevention goes, try not to walk barefoot in high traffic areas where a lot of people might have spread the virus onto the floor or area you're walking on (such as public pools, bathrooms, and gyms). Keep your feet clean. DO NOT pick at your warts-you can transfer them to your hands or to other parts of your body. Also, many people confuse some corns and calluses as warts. As far as over the counter treatments, you can try acid plasters and Duofilm (also an acid), but be careful not to create an open wound on your skin by using too much acid-this could lead to infection. READ MORE
I keep getting bunions--what should I do to prevent them?
Bunions are caused by a combination of tight or pointed toed shoe gear, the biomechanics of your foot and ankle, and genetics, to some degree. But if you needed 2 bunion surgeries on the same foot in the same year, your surgeon either did a poor job, did not fully grasp the biomechanics of your particular foot and did not do the correct procedure, or you may have done something during the post-operative course to allow recurrence of the bunion. I say this with the greatest of sensitivity, but a 3-year trained Podiatrist that is board certified in surgery is the best possible type of doctor that you can have evaluate and surgically treat the problems of your foot and ankle. Orthopedic surgeons who specialize in foot and ankle surgery only require a 6 month to 1 year fellowship to do the same thing a 3-year residency trained Podiatrist learn over the course of 7 years. So the proper choice of surgeons is invaluable. READ MORE
Is the pain in my heel a heel spur?
It could be a heel spur, but in actuality, a "heel spur" is actually a problem called Plantar Fasciitis. It could be a stress fracture of your calcaneus. It could be tendonitis. It's best if you see a specialist for the problem. READ MORE
What should I avoid doing after my ingrown toenail removal?
Your doctor probably won't give you anything after the procedure; he will probably tell you what you need to purchase. All of us, as physicians, practice differently, and I can only tell you the protocol we follow in my office after such a procedure. If it is a simple removal of an ingrown toenail, we have our patients soak 15-20 minutes in warm water with either Epsom salts or Dial antibacterial hand soap. Then the patient has to keep the toe covered with antibiotic ointment and a band aid until the area is healed. If there is an infection when we remove the offending nail border, we also prescribe an antibiotic orally with the above post-operative care. If there is a permanent removal (a Matricectomy), then the protocol is similar for the after-care, but we also prescribe a bottle of anti-inflammatory drops to apply to the surgical site prior to dressing the area with a band aid and antibiotic ointment. So, this is the protocol in my practice; but your physician may do things differently READ MORE
Do bunion correctors work?
Now, actually, it depends on what you actually mean by 'bunion.' Many of my patients call corns or calluses bunions, and from your sentence, 'my mom FOUND a bunion on her foot, that is what it sounds like you mean.' But an actual bunion is a boney structural deformity and the only way to fix it or correct it is with surgery. The 'bunion correctors' do not work-they are a gimmick. If you are talking about corns and calluses, the over-the-counter treatments often have acid which can eat a hole in your skin and lead to infections and even amputations. It seems it would be in your mother's best-interest to go see a Podiatrist READ MORE
Is Vick's really a treatment for athlete's foot?
Vick's is technically not an anti-fungal, and I would not recommend using it for athlete's foot. I have often heard of people trying to use Vick's for toenail fungus, and there are some anecdotes of it helping, but no actual evidence. A prescription or over the counter anti-fungal twice a day is what I would really recommend. Tea Tree oil does have some actual anti-fungal properties. You could try Tea Tree Oil, but I believe an actual medication is far superior of a treatment READ MORE
Are arch supports the only way to treat neuroma?
An arch support can help to alleviate neuroma pain and can help to prevent recurrence of a Neuroma AS LONG AS IT IS EQUIPPED WITH A WELL-POSITIONED METATARSAL PAD, which alleviates pressure from the metatarsal head region. However, there are many other ways to treat neuroma pain. In my practice, I start with the least destructive treatment, which would be a cortisone injection. From there, you have several, more invasive and destructive procedures. These include sclerosing injections to destroy the nerve, excision of the neuroma, or simple release of the ligament above the neuroma around the metatarsal head region, but this last surgical decompression often does not work. READ MORE
What happens if I leave my ingrown toenail untreated?
If you do not treat the problem, you will have increased swelling, redness, pain and even a possible infection and abscess around the nail fold. The pain and discomfort will increase. Antibiotics will only alleviate the infection, but once finished with the antibiotics, the problem will recur without appropriate treatment to remove the aggravating nail border. READ MORE
How can I prevent heel pain?
The question, "What is the best way to prevent heel pain?" is a fairly broad question. In the case you are discussing, wearing high heels is obviously the problem. You should try changing the type of shoes you are wearing. READ MORE
Is a bunion a bone growth?
A bunion is a boney abnormality. But it is not a bone growth. It is a medially subluxation of the 1st metatarsal and a lateral subluxation of the big toe at the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint. It can only be truly fixed surgically, as the bones need to be relocated to a more functional position. The bunion feels 'hard' because it is bone. Sometimes, when bunion has been present for a long time, a little bit of extra bone may develop at the medial side of the joint, but that is not actually the 'bunion' READ MORE
What can I do to prevent bunions?
Bunions are technically caused by a combination of poor shoe gear, genetics, and mechanical dysfunction of the foot (particularly pronation and flat foot). When I do bunion surgery, I will, as often as possible, include an implant to prevent pronation of the Subtalar Joint, which helps to prevent recurrence of the bunion in the future. If your surgeon did not do this, the best ways to prevent recurrence of, or formation of a new bunion is to wear mostly flat shoes-stay away from high heels and shoes that taper in the toe box (you need a rounded or squared off toe box). Also, using appropriate (NOT Dr Scholl or The Good Feet Store) orthotics in your shoes can significantly help to prevent the formation of bunions by maintaining proper mechanical control of your foot and ankle. 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