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.
20 years
Experience
Dr. Steven Lam, D.P.M.
- Albany, NY
- Temple University
- Accepting new patients
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...
Can flat feet be fixed without surgery?
Roughly 30% of the population has flat feet. Having said that, not all flat feet need to be surgically corrected. Perhaps wearing supportive shoes, modifying activity levels, and READ MORE
Roughly 30% of the population has flat feet. Having said that, not all flat feet need to be surgically corrected. Perhaps wearing supportive shoes, modifying activity levels, and using over the counter or custom orthotics is good enough to allow someone with flat feet to be active and function without pain. Flat feet can not be "corrected" without surgery. But oftentimes, surgery can be avoided with the conservative treatments I mentioned. Surgery is relegated for those individuals that continue to have pain despite conservative care, and their activities of daily living are impacted.
Can you walk after toenail removal?
Absolutely. Typically most people feel significantly better after having had the ingrown toe nail removed. A small bandage with antibiotic cream is applied after the procedure, READ MORE
Absolutely. Typically most people feel significantly better after having had the ingrown toe nail removed. A small bandage with antibiotic cream is applied after the procedure, and my patients are allowed to resume their normal activities to tolerance.
Should I see a podiatrist or chiropractor?
Podiatrists are specifically trained to deal with any issue concerning the foot. I may be biased, but your foot pain should be evaluated by a podiatrist.
Can a podiatrist treat foot fungus?
Yes. That is one of the many conditions that podiatrists can treat. Any skin, nail, nerve, bone, muscle or tendon issues involving the foot are treatable by a podiatrist.
Can a podiatrist perform surgery?
Yes. A podiatrist can perform surgery. I am a podiatrist, and I perform 10-15 surgeries a week, ranging from bunion and hammertoe correction, to fixation of broken bones, to amputations READ MORE
Yes. A podiatrist can perform surgery. I am a podiatrist, and I perform 10-15 surgeries a week, ranging from bunion and hammertoe correction, to fixation of broken bones, to amputations of infections.
How can I treat an ingrown toenail?
Depending on where the ingrown toe nail is actually ingrowing into the skin, you may need to seek out a podiatrist to resolve it. If the ingrown nail is located on the tip of the READ MORE
Depending on where the ingrown toe nail is actually ingrowing into the skin, you may need to seek out a podiatrist to resolve it. If the ingrown nail is located on the tip of the toe, then you could probably carefully trim it back. If the ingrown toe nail is closer to the nail fold and lunula, then your toe will have to be anesthetized with local anesthetic to remove that portion of your nail
I have a bone growth under my heel and it hurts. What should I do?
First, you should get an x-ray if you suspect a bone growth. I seriously doubt, however, that you have bone growth. Most people that experience pain in their heels have a condition READ MORE
First, you should get an x-ray if you suspect a bone growth. I seriously doubt, however, that you have bone growth. Most people that experience pain in their heels have a condition called plantar fasciitis. Google it. Plantar fasciitis can lead to a bone spur, but it is not the spur that causes the pain - the inflamed plantar fascia is the culprit. Most plantar fasciitis can be treated with rest, stretching and some for of anti-inflammatory treatment (ice, ultrasound, nsaids, cortisone shot....). Please seek out a podiatrist to obtain a proper diagnoses for your symptoms.
Can bath salts help in treating heel pain?
No. Bath salts will not help. Heel Pain is typically caused by a tight and inflamed ligament called the plantar fascia. Soaking will not reduce the tension or the inflammation. READ MORE
No. Bath salts will not help. Heel Pain is typically caused by a tight and inflamed ligament called the plantar fascia. Soaking will not reduce the tension or the inflammation.
Why could my feet be so itchy?
You might have tinea pedis (athletes foot) or a form of eczema. These conditions can be easily treated with the appropriate topical medication.
What is the best way to eliminate foot odor?
Foot odor is usually caused by fungus. FUngus likes to live in warm, moist environments. Make sure you apply powder to your shoes to eliminate moisture. If your feet sweat excessively, READ MORE
Foot odor is usually caused by fungus. FUngus likes to live in warm, moist environments. Make sure you apply powder to your shoes to eliminate moisture. If your feet sweat excessively, you can apply a roll-on anti-perspirant at night to reduce the amount that you sweat. Also consider purchasing a topical antifungal cream to apply to your feet after you shower to eradicate any fungus on your skin (athlete's foot).
Why is my toe bleeding randomly?
Sounds like the trauma to the toe has causes a hematoma, which is why you are bleeding. This is referred to as a subungual hematoma. You should see a podiatrist to either have READ MORE
Sounds like the trauma to the toe has causes a hematoma, which is why you are bleeding. This is referred to as a subungual hematoma. You should see a podiatrist to either have the hematoma drained, or the toe nail removed so that this can heal and a new nail could grow unencumbered.
Are there home remedies for foot fungus?
My suggestion is to go to your local pharmacy and purchase an over the counter antifungal cream. Apply it twice a day to the areas that you think have fungus. Additionally, make READ MORE
My suggestion is to go to your local pharmacy and purchase an over the
counter antifungal cream. Apply it twice a day to the areas that you think
have fungus. Additionally, make sure that you dry your feet thoroughly
after showering, and consider wearing flip flops in the shower. If the
fungus has spread to your shoes, consider replacing them or applying
antifungal powder. If your symptoms do not improve or worsen in the next 2
weeks, then you should see a podiatrist for evaluation. You may need a
prescription strength antifungal, or perhaps what you thought was fungus is
something entirely different and wont respond to antifungal medication.
counter antifungal cream. Apply it twice a day to the areas that you think
have fungus. Additionally, make sure that you dry your feet thoroughly
after showering, and consider wearing flip flops in the shower. If the
fungus has spread to your shoes, consider replacing them or applying
antifungal powder. If your symptoms do not improve or worsen in the next 2
weeks, then you should see a podiatrist for evaluation. You may need a
prescription strength antifungal, or perhaps what you thought was fungus is
something entirely different and wont respond to antifungal medication.
How do you repair an ingrown toenail?
Typically, the ingrown nail portion needs to be cut out. Depending on where it is ingrown, whether the distal part or tip of the toe, or back towards the nail fold, this may require READ MORE
Typically, the ingrown nail portion needs to be cut out. Depending on where it is ingrown, whether the distal part or tip of the toe, or back towards the nail fold, this may require local anesthetic to be done comfortably. When ingrown nails become infected, oral antibiotics can help eradicate the bacteria causing the infection, but more often than not, the ingrown portion of the nail will still need to be removed. This is a fairly straightforward and common procedure that is performed at your local podiatrists office multiple times per day. Recovery from this procedure is usually quite rapid, where normal activity and shoe gear may be resumed almost immediately.
Can heel pain be treated surgically?
Most heel pain is caused by a condition called plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis rarely needs to be treated surgically. The plantar fascia becomes tight over time, and gets READ MORE
Most heel pain is caused by a condition called plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis rarely needs to be treated surgically. The plantar fascia becomes tight over time, and gets inflamed when there is excessive activity or non supportive shoes are worn. Typically, addressing the tightness with stretching, with stretching exercises, physical therapy, or by a device called a night splint; combined with rest and antiinflammatories (ie. Icing, topical anti-inflammatory medication, oral anti-inflammatory medication, or cortisone injection) can relieve symptoms fairly effectively.
My foot looks like it has a wart on the bottom of it. How can I get rid of it?
You can look for topical over the counter medication which contains salicylic acid. The higher the concentration of salicylic acid, the more potent the medication. It should be READ MORE
You can look for topical over the counter medication which contains salicylic acid. The higher the concentration of salicylic acid, the more potent the medication. It should be applied daily to the wart, which will cause slight blistering or callusing, that can then be peeled off, removing the wart. The whole process may take 6-8 weeks. If topical mediation does not work, the you can see your local podiatrist who can apply stronger medication, or recommend surgically exciting the wart.
Are arch supports the only way to treat neuroma?
Arch supports or orthotics are a biomechanical way to treat a neuroma. They work by reducing the pressure on the metatarsal heads typically with added neuroma padding or metatarsal READ MORE
Arch supports or orthotics are a biomechanical way to treat a neuroma. They work by reducing the pressure on the metatarsal heads typically with added neuroma padding or metatarsal padding. However, a neuroma is an inflamed nerve, and the inflammation can be addressed via oral anti-inflammatories such as NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Aleve...) and/or with a cortisone injection.
How can I control the bad smell from my feet?
Yes, you definitely should see a podiatrist. You will need a prescription strength anti-perspirant to control the moisture and a prescription antifungal cream to control the odor. READ MORE
Yes, you definitely should see a podiatrist. You will need a prescription strength anti-perspirant to control the moisture and a prescription antifungal cream to control the odor.
Why do I keep getting an ingrown toenail?
Your podiatrist can perform a procedure (on the chronic ingrown portion of the nail) called a matrixectomy, where the nail bed is either chemically cauterized, or surgically excised, READ MORE
Your podiatrist can perform a procedure (on the chronic ingrown portion of the nail) called a matrixectomy, where the nail bed is either chemically cauterized, or surgically excised, thereby preventing recurrence.
A glass piece has gone inside my foot and the area has become red. Will a podiatrist be able to help me?
It sounds like the area is starting to get infected and/or irritated from the residual glass fragment. A podiatrist manages this in his/her office fairly frequently and routinely READ MORE
It sounds like the area is starting to get infected and/or irritated from the residual glass fragment. A podiatrist manages this in his/her office fairly frequently and routinely by anesthetizing the area with some local anesthetic and removing the glass fragment. Unless the infection is severe, this procedure, an incision and drainage, is typically sufficient to resolve the infection.
I have had repeated sprains in my ankle. Will it keep happening? What can I do?
There are many factors that need to be addressed when someone suffers multiple ankle sprains and injuries. Oftentimes, a biomechanical abnormality such as a high arched cavus foot READ MORE
There are many factors that need to be addressed when someone suffers multiple ankle sprains and injuries. Oftentimes, a biomechanical abnormality such as a high arched cavus foot type can result in frequent ankle sprains. If this is the case with you, perhaps a custom orthotic (not something purchased over the counter) can help reduce the rate of ankle sprains and make your foot more stable. Additionally, ankle sprains can damage the proprioception nerves (nerves that sense the relative position of one's own parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement) around the ankle. Although this damage is oftentimes irreparable, it can be mitigated by performing strengthening exercises of the muscles around the ankle, specifically the peroneus brevis and longus muscles. Perhaps a short course in physical therapy can help you out. Additionally, you may want to try wearing a neoprene ankle compression sleeve or an ankle brace to provide stability and support when exercising.
