By Kelly Miller
Why suffer with chronic pain due to foot and ankle problems when a visit to Stephen F. Levin, DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine), can bring the relief you desire? Dr. Levin’s New Tampa Foot & Ankle practice is located off S.R. 56 in the Cypress Ridge Professional Center, directly behind the Gate gas station.
Dr. Levin’s 16 years of experience ensures that he can help alleviate all of your foot and ankle problems, including heel spurs, ingrown toenails, bunions, warts, diabetic feet, hammer toes, gout and flat feet. He also can treat injuries due to falls at home or work, from car accidents and even those suffered while participating in physically demanding sports. From pediatrics through geriatrics, Dr. Levin sees patients of all ages.
Dr. Levin earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Urban Studies from the University of Maryland in College Park. He earned his DPM degree from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. He then completed a two-year medical and surgical residency at Montgomery Hospital Medical Center in Norristown, PA, and in 1998, he moved to Tampa. Dr. Levin worked in Pinellas County until 2002, when he decided to open New Tampa Foot & Ankle, subletting space from the former New Tampa Urgent Care location on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. in New Tampa.
In 2007, Dr. Levin moved New Tampa Foot & Ankle to its current location off S.R. 56. In 2012, he opened a second office in South Tampa. Dr. Levin has operating room privileges at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, St. Joseph’s Hospital North on Van Dyke Rd. in Lutz, and at the New Tampa Surgery Center located just across Cypress Ridge Blvd. from New Tampa Foot & Ankle. Dr. Levin is Board-certified in Foot Surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, and he’s currently the First Vice President of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA). Next year, Dr. Levin will become the 75th President of the FPMA.
Two years ago, Dr. Levin brought Dr. Martin Port, DPM, into his practice. Dr. Port assists in the Wesley Chapel office one half-day and in the South Tampa office three half-days each week. Dr. Port earned his Bachelor of Science(B.S.) degree in Pre-Med and Master of Science (M.S.) in Physiology from Hahnemann Medical College & Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. He earned his DPM degree from the prestigious New York College of Podiatric Medicine (it is affiliated with Columbia University) in New York City, NY.
A patient of Dr. Levin’s, Land O’Lakes resident Darrin Horne, says that his arches fell when he was in his twenties. He was initially misdiagnosed by an orthopedist, who told him back surgery would cure the pain and numbness in his feet. Two years later, the problem persisted, so when a friend told him about New Tampa Foot & Ankle, he made an appointment.
“When I came to see Dr. Levin, he was incredible,” Darrin said. “He listened to my entire history, and after a thorough workup, diagnosed me with Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome.” (Note-This disorder is caused by the entrapment of the tibial nerve, which follows a curving route down the back of the leg to the ankle, where it turns and curls below the inside of the ankle. Compression on this nerve causes pain, a burning sensation, and tingling on the soles of the feet.)
Dr. Levin operated on Darrin’s left foot and although Darrin was warned that he still may not regain complete feeling in the foot, he says he noticed a remarkable difference. Darrin was so pleased with the results of the surgery that he recently scheduled the procedure for his right foot.
“Many patients with foot pain also complain of back, neck and even headache pain,” Dr. Levin explains, adding that healthy feet promote overall orthopedic health. “The feet are the foundation that supports our entire body weight. Poor foot posture can impede your daily activities.”
Easing The Pain Of Flat Feet
Speaking of poor foot posture, flat feet are a problem Dr. Levin says he sees in patients of every age. Depending upon the severity, he can provide orthotic inserts for shoes or perform surgery. With orthotics (also used by many distance runners and triathletes, even if their feet aren’t flat), a mold of the foot is created and an orthotic insert can be made to fit in many types of shoes. Orthotic sandals also can be customized for the patient’s feet.
To assess a patient’s problem, Dr. Levin uses the latest in advanced equipment like his diagnostic ultrasound or his digital X-ray machine which provides high quality imaging of problem areas. Dr. Levin was also one of the first providers in Florida to offer laser treatment for fungal toenails. His Cutera 1064 Yag laser not only treats the toenails but also superficial veins, warts, various problematic skin conditions, and provides hair removal on the leg area (more on other cosmetic services available at New Tampa Foot & Ankle below).
Because we live in Florida, wearing open-toed shoes and sandals is the norm for most of the year. If you have any yellow, discolored, or thick nails, you may have a foot fungus. Dr. Levin will get those toenails looking healthy again, thanks to a new NovoNail treatment. This advanced restoration program, created by Christopher Stewart, DPM (who also earned his DPM degree from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine; he has a podiatry practice in Charlottesville, VA) includes a state-of-the-art, laser-based treatment that goes deep beneath the surface of the nail, attacking the fungus where it lives and breeds.
Land O’Lakes resident Jeanie Batto, a Registered Nurse with 20 years of experience, says she suffered with pain in her feet for almost five years before she sought help. Though now a school nurse at Wesley Chapel High, she previously worked as a surgical technician assisting podiatric surgeons and knew the importance of finding a qualified doctor. During her intensive search, she found Dr. Levin and says she was impressed with his credentials and medical affiliations.
“The first thing I noticed was how personable yet professional his staff was,” Jeanie says, adding that she felt relieved when she met Dr. Levin. “I liked his easygoing bedside manner, and I didn’t feel rushed when we discussed my condition.”
Oftentimes, when a patient calls New Tampa Foot & Ankle, Dr. Levin says they’ve been experiencing long-term pain, so the last thing they need is to wait a month to see a doctor. “I don’t like to make patients wait,” he says, adding that shorter wait times help patients differentiate between his practice and larger ones in the area. “I will always fit someone in for an appointment. In most cases, a patient can be seen in a day or two…and for emergencies, it can be even sooner.”
Other Services Available, Too!
Patients who want to continue pampering their new beautiful nails can visit Alerissa (Alerissa.com), an exclusive boutique spa run by licensed cosmetologist and nail tech Annette Cosme inside New Tampa Foot & Ankle. (For an appointment with Annette, call 610-5258.) Katie’s Wellness Retreat (KatiesWellnessRetreat.com) also has a treatment room inside the practice. Katie Capets is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) and Medical Aesthetician who offers facials, massages, and waxing. (For appointments with Katie, call 406-0185.)
Dr. Levin and his wife, Diane, live in New Tampa. They have three children: David (16), Sam (9), and Sarah (7). Sam and Sarah are in competitive gymnastics at Angel’s Gymnastics in Lutz and Sam is active in Cub Scouts Pack 280. Dr. Levin says he is proud that he’s served his community for more than a dozen years, and his practice is very active in the area. He’s a member of the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel Chambers of Commerce and gives back to his community by supporting local schools like Turner/Bartels K-8 School and the Music Boosters at Paul R. Wharton High.
For more info about New Tampa Foot & Ankle (26827 Foggy Creek Rd., Suite 104, Bldg. 6), call the office at 973-3535. The hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. The South Tampa location is at 3704 Euclid Ave. in Tampa. For more info, visit NewTampaFootand Ankle.com.
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