Meet our Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Team at OCPBC
John Levin, D.P.M.
Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery
Dr. Levin is Board Certified by the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He has been the Director of the Podiatric Surgical Residency Program at JFK Medical Center since 1996. He graduated from the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine in 1986 magna cum laude.
He completed his residency in reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle at Doctors Hospital in Denver.
Dr. Levin has a special interest and certification in limb salvage surgery including complex reconstructions of infections and failed surgeries. He performs minimally invasive procedures, such as ankle arthroscopy, endoscopic surgery for heel pain and Platelet Rich Plasma therapy and Stem Cell therapy for chronic conditions, such as tendinitis, plantar fasciitis and chronic pain syndromes.
James Clancy, D.P.M.
Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery
Dr. Clancy is Board Certified by the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery. While working as a member of PGA of America, Dr. Clancy graduated with honors from St. Thomas of Villanova University. He earned his podiatric medical degree from Temple University and completed his residency in foot and ankle surgery from The Maryland Podiatric Surgical Residency Program at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He has been trained on the latest advances in nerve repair by one of the world's most renowned surgeons at Johns Hopkins and was one of the few podiatric surgeons to be trained on the newest FDA-approved total ankle joint replacement.
He has been the Chief of Podiatric Surgery at JFK Medical Center since 1999 and is the co-director of the Podiatric Surgical Residency Program.
Dr. Clancy is also a golf medicine expert with a comprehensive understanding of the game. He is certified by the Titleist Performance Institute, which is the world's leading educational organization and research facility dedicated to the study of how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing.
Nicole Roth, D.P.M.
Foot & Ankle Surgery/Podiatric Medicine
Dr. Nicole Roth is a Board Qualified Foot and Ankle Surgeon. She is a graduate of the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, formally the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Roth completed her three-year surgical residency at J.F.K Medical Center in Atlantis, FL. She is trained in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, podiatric medicine, traumatic and non-traumatic surgical management of the foot and ankle. She is also trained in sports medicine, internal and external fixation for extremity reconstruction, management of various lower extremity deformities, limb corrective surgery, trauma stabilization, arthrodesis techniques of the foot and ankle joints, diabetic limb salvage, and wound care.
Dr. Roth is a board member of the Palm Beach County Podiatric Medical Association. She is an active member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, the American Podiatric Medical Association, Florida Podiatric Medical Association, and the Palm Beach County Podiatric Medical Association.
Pain in the front part of the lower leg / "shin" area. Pain in this area is often referred to as "shin splints". Sometimes these are referred to as "Medial tibial Stress Syndrome" These pains are often exercise related or from overuse.
Why / How does this happen?
Typically occurs from overuse. It is commonly associated with runners especially those whom increase their intensity / distance or terrain.
Over- pronation "over flattening" of the foot can also lend to the development of shin splints. Excessive pronation and flatfeet can increase stresses on the lower leg muscles.
Over-pronation may be flexible or inflexible. It can be functional or as a result of poorly supportive shoes / worn out shoe gear.
What are the symptoms?
Shin splints develop when the muscle at the bone / muscle interface (periosteum) is over-worked in repetitive activity resulting in various symptoms, which include sharp, razor like pain or dull aching, throbbing pains. It may occur during or after activity. Pain usually occurs along the shin bone (along the tibia).
Why should I see a Doctor for examination?
There is risk of shin splints propagating to a stress fracture of the tibia. Stress fracture is a small crack in the bone typically from overuse.
Your doctor will also rule in or rule out Tendonitis, and chronic exertional compartment syndrome. Tendonitis occurs when the tendons become inflamed often due to over use. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome is an uncommon, yet painful condition in which pressure within the muscle builds to dangerous levels during exercise. This pain generally subsides when the activity stops.
Your doctor will examine you and order radiographs initially and sometimes advanced imaging is warranted such as bone scan or MRI.
What can I expect from treatment options?
Rest, Ice, elevation for symptom management.
Ice is generally recommended to be applied for 20 minutes several times a day.
NSAIDS (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) can help in reducing pain and swelling.
Appropriate shoe gear, orthotic devices- help to stabilize the foot and decrease the over use of the associated tendons / muscles.
Gradual return to activity after a few weeks of full resolution of symptoms. It is often recommended to return to a lower intensity level and gradually increase as tolerated.
The good news is shin splints usually resolve with conservative care and time.
