expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Steven Lam, D.P.M.

Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist)

Dr. Steven Lam is a podiatrist practicing in Albany, NY. Dr. Lam is a medical doctor specializing in the treatment of the foot , ankle and related parts of the leg. As a podiatrist, Dr. Lam 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. Podiatrists can specialize in surgery, wound care, sports medicine, diabetic care and pediatrics.
21 years Experience
Dr. Steven Lam, D.P.M.
Specializes in:
  • Foot Injuries and Disorders
  • Warts
  • Albany, NY
  • Temple University
  • Accepting new patients

How long does it take for an incision to heal after foot surgery?

Most skin incisions take 2 weeks to heal.

What are the side effects of a cortisone shot for heel spur?

There are typically no side effects from a cortisone injection. Most people tolerate it quite well. Make sure you do not have a known allergies to marcaine or lidocaine, as that READ MORE
There are typically no side effects from a cortisone injection. Most people tolerate it quite well. Make sure you do not have a known allergies to marcaine or lidocaine, as that is what is typically included in a cortisone injection

What is the best way of recovering from a sprain?

Rest. Ice. Immobilization. Should try to get a lace up ankle brace for stability when walking, do passive range of motion exercises, and rest from activity for 3-5 days until the READ MORE
Rest. Ice. Immobilization. Should try to get a lace up ankle brace for stability when walking, do passive range of motion exercises, and rest from activity for 3-5 days until the pain subsides. If the pain does not improve significantly, then seek a medical professional for assessment

What exercises are good for a foot bunion?

Unfortunately, there are really no exercises that can relieve or fix a foot bunion, as it is a honey deformity and has resulted in some dislocation of your joint. This dislocation READ MORE
Unfortunately, there are really no exercises that can relieve or fix a foot bunion, as it is a honey deformity and has resulted in some dislocation of your joint. This dislocation can not be realigned with splinting or exercises. Typically, most people have bunion pain when they wear shoes that can compress upon the bunion prominence. Avoiding tight or narrow shoes will help alleviate those symptoms

swollen feet bottom

You may be experiencing peripheral neuropathy, where the nerves to your feet are not working properly. Would best to be evaluated by a medical professional going forward. This READ MORE
You may be experiencing peripheral neuropathy, where the nerves to your feet are not working properly. Would best to be evaluated by a medical professional going forward. This is not something you can treat in your own or will go away if ignored. It is not harmful per se, but should be properly evaluated.

Will I get pan medications after bunion surgery?

Pain medication is typically prescribed after bunion surgery

Is the recovery painful from bunion surgery?

There is pain for a few days after bunion surgery, which is usually controlled by medication. Typically recover is 1-2 weeks of non weigh bearing, followed by 3-4 weeks of protected READ MORE
There is pain for a few days after bunion surgery, which is usually controlled by medication. Typically recover is 1-2 weeks of non weigh bearing, followed by 3-4 weeks of protected weight bearing in a surgical shoe or cam boot, followed by gradually transitioning to a supportive shoe such as a sneaker and easing into activity over the next 4-6 weeks

How long should I ice my heel?

Typical icing instructions are 20 mins on, 20 mins off then can repeat. But you should evaluate why your heel is swollen. That is not an area that typically swells unless there READ MORE
Typical icing instructions are 20 mins on, 20 mins off then can repeat. But you should evaluate why your heel is swollen. That is not an area that typically swells unless there is injury.

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, READ MORE
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.

Do you stay overnight for heel surgery?

Typically most foot and ankle elective surgery is same day surgery, requiring no overnight stay.

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 READ MORE
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

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.

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 READ MORE
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.

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, READ MORE
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.

Foot infections?

Looks like you have plantars warts

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 READ MORE
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.

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 READ MORE
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.

Burning sensation in sole of both feet?

Probably not. You may want to consider some physical therapy to address the sural neuropathy.

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 READ MORE
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.

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 READ MORE
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.