Five Questions with Scott Tashman, Ph.D.

Q1: Why did you choose to join The Steadman Clinic?

I chose to join The Steadman Clinic, first and foremost, because of the high-quality care The Steadman Clinic provides. The clinic provides the rare combination of cutting-edge techniques and research in addition to a first-class patient care experience. Finding all these attributes in one place is very rare. Knowing this, I was excited by the opportunity to be a part of it. I was a fellow at The Steadman Clinic a few years ago and knew the long-term goals of the Clinic. Having the opportunity to come back was very exciting and I feel I can advance the goals of excellent patient outcomes as well as refine our current treatment techniques.

Q2: What is your background and education?

I grew up in a steel town in Eastern Pennsylvania and completed an undergraduate degree at Wake Forest University with a major in chemistry and a minor in physics. After attending medical school at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, I completed 5 years of orthopedic surgery residency at Duke University. I spent my fellowship year here at The Steadman Clinic, with Dr. Thomas Clanton.

After completing training, I practiced in Boise, Idaho with Michael Coughlin, MD. This was an excellent early experience as I had the opportunity to continue to grow and expand my surgical experience. Dr. Coughlin and Hirose were excellent mentors and I was able to regularly ask questions and operate in conjunction with them, drawing on their decades of experience treating foot and ankle conditions.

Q3: Why did you choose foot and ankle as a specialty?

I chose foot and ankle surgery as a specialty due to the complexity of the anatomy. When I was a college student, I asked my quantum mechanics professor, “why did you pursue a PhD in quantum mechanics?” He said, “It was the most difficult thing I could find, and so I thought it would be worth learning more.” This sentiment stuck with me for years. I feel very similarly about the foot and ankle, there is still research to be done and new procedures to be designed and evaluated. It continues to capture my attention daily.

Q4: What are the most common foot and ankle injuries and is there a way to prevent them?

The most common injury in all of sports is a lateral ankle ligament sprain. These injuries can vary from mild to quite severe. Minor injuries can be treated with rest, ice and compression. If the symptoms do not abate in a few days, evaluation by a medical provider can be necessary. Ninety percent of ankle sprains go on to heal without surgical intervention. However, if there is continued pain after a few days with swelling and instability, an evaluation is warranted.

In terms of prevention, working on resisted inversion and eversion of the foot to strengthen the muscles on the inside and outside of the ankle can help prevent ankle sprains. This can be done with a towel or an elastic resistance band. It is also important to strengthen the core as well as the entire lower extremity. This has been shown to prevent ankle injuries in both recreational and high-level athletes.

Q5: You have been living and working in Vail for about nine months. Did you make a good choice?

I certainly did. Vail is a beautiful place to live and work. When I arrived in the fall, I was greeted by the vibrant colors of the changing aspen trees. I have enjoyed watching the seasons change, from weekly snow storms to the newly sprouted leaves shimmering in the spring sunlight. The natural beauty of the area is certainly something to note.

Clinically, I have been excited by the patients and the vast array of sports related injuries I have seen. From skiing related fractures to wear-and-tear degenerative changes, I have had the opportunity to treat many interesting conditions. I am looking forward to the next nine months!

Five Questions with

Dr. C. Thomas Haytmanek – Foot and Ankle Specialist

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