Dr. Robert Mihalich
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery
Brighton, MI
22 years experience male
Locations
Office
Brighton, MI
Phone
Practice website
About
Bio
Dr. Robert Mihalich graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine in 2000. He completed his residency at the University of Vermont and a fellowship at Baylor University Hospital in Dallas, Texas with Drs. James Brodsky and John Early. He specializes in all problems affecting the foot and ankle including arthritis, deformity, sports injuries, fractures, arthroscopy, and tendon tears. He is in practice in Brighton and Novi Michigan.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
65 Answers
6 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Nothing: Nothing can speed bone healing. The best thing is to prevent re-injury by following the advise of your treating orthopedic surgeon.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
See another doctor: See another doctor, preferably an md trained in foot and ankle. Sounds like you saw a podiatrist.
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
4 comments
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Not really: Arthritis is wearing out of the cartilage so no home or medical treatment can replace it. Home remedies may help by decreasing pain with counter irri... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Depends where: Heel spurs on the bottom don't cause pain. It is a large myth. Spurs in the back and on the top may cause pain and should be evaluated by an orthope... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Maybe: Inserts can be helpful, but i find an ankle brace to be more helpful.
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Yes: Some may help manage the symptoms but stretching is the most helpful to alleviate the problem.
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Wide shoes: Bunions can occur for a number of reasons including genetics and shoe wear. Narrow toe shoes likely will increase the incidence of bunions.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Not necessarily: Some severe bunions are completely painless, some mild bunions can be very painful.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Yes: Typically, a good stretching program will help alleviate Achilles tendonitis while you continue to dance.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Depends: It depends on the surgery. Most commonly, the first surgery is a cheilectomy which is shaving of the spur. This is a "clean up" procedure and there ... Read More
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Depends: If it is stable and does not need surgery, i would let my patients swim at 4-6 weeks post injury.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Depends: 99% of the people i treat never require surgery. There are different surgical approaches for treated plantar fascitis. If the surgeon is planning an... Read More
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Possibly: While treating a bunion at the same time as a fracture may be appealing due to having one down time, additional surgery adds increased trauma to a sm... Read More
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
No: Cracking is usually not associated with arthritis.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Can be: Orhotics are typically for comfort. If they don't feel better than not having them in, don't wear them.
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Yes: Most people would choose to correct it. Amputation is reserved for low demand patients who want a short healing time and do not want to deal with the... Read More
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Yes: As long as it has healed completely and is in good alignment, you should be able to return to rugby and the bone should be as strong as it was before ... Read More
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Probably not: Most likely it is plantar fasciitis. Stress fractures in the heel can occur, but they usually heal within 6-10 weeks. An X-ray will be able to tell ... Read More
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
8 weeks: It depends on the fracture and return is a gradual process. I think 8 weeks is safe, but you may not be able to do everything. I would think you sho... Read More
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
No: Typically not. Some people are born with bipartite sesamoids but are usually not symptomatic. Sometimes the division in the sesamoid is a weak point... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
3 to 6 months: Achilles tendons take about 3 months to heal and 3 months to rehab. Return to competitive sports is usually six months minimum.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
45 minutes to 1 hour: 45 minutes to 1 hour.
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
No: Orthotics are about comfort. If they are comfortable, then they are as good but custom do tend to be more comfortable. I recommend soft rather than ... Read More
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Physical therapy: Pt will most likely alleviate these symptoms.
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
No: Stretching the gastrocnemius is the key to recovery. Lifts and medication can be helpful as well.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Possibly metatarsal: Metatarsalgia is pain on the bottom of the foot near the toes. It can be caused by tight calves, hammertoes, and sometimes a bunion. Shoewear change... Read More
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
No: Orthotics are purely for comfort. They will not change development of the feet. If they are comfortable and make the patients feet or lower extremit... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Primarily stretching: Stretching is the single best thing to do. Pt, heel lifts and medication can help as well.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
No: In general, there is very little risk of leaving plates or other hardware in place if there arena symptoms.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Not necessarIly: You can continue playing, but i would recommend working with a physical therapist to treat you while you continue to play.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Not sure: Chronic refers to time. We refer to fractures as healed, a delayed union, or a non union.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Absolutely: If that option has not been offered or you have not tried it, you should not be considering surgery.
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Yes: Yes, but they should be limited.
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Sometimes: Toe fractures rarely need pins, but sometimes it is necessary if they are unstable.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Yes: Orthotics are primarily for comfort. If they hurt, they are not helping you. Some orthotics prescribed can make a condition worse such as if an orth... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
6 weeks usually: I usually start formal therapy at 6 weeks post operatively.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
No: It is a congenital problem meaning it is only present at birth.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Yes: This is controversial and should not be done unless all non operative options have been exhausted. Currently, the most common surgeries are partial p... Read More
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Yes: Supportive athletic shoes will most likely be the most comfortable.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
None: Heel spurs typically do not cause pain. Therefore, the procedure should not be done unless you have had the opinion of an orthopedic surgeon trained ... Read More
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Hard to say: There is not much research on the benefits or risks of barefoot running. Midfoot fractures are usually stress injuries and the loss of shock absorpti... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Unlikely: It is unlikely for a toe fracture to cause permanent nerve damage.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
No: Orthotics are purely for comfort for most people. If one orthotic feels better to you for different sports, then you may have more than one pair, but... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Stretching: One of the major contributors to tibialis posterior tendonitis is gastrocnemius tightness. Stretching your calf frequently throughout the day may hel... Read More
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Non impact: It depends on the fracture. If you are non weight bearing, do upper body exercise and leg lifts. If you can weight bear under the advice of your doc... Read More
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Evaluation: Evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle is your best and most cost effective option. You can find one in your area at aofas... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
Nothing: Metatarsus adductus is something you were born with. It cannot be corrected with shoes orthotics or bracing. It may make you more prone to bunions whi... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
6 to 12 weeks: There are 3 grades of ankle sprains. I typically tell my patients that a sprain bad enough to take you to the doctor or ed will take 6 to 12 weeks to... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Mihalichanswered
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 22 years experience
We don't know: Older ankle replacements appear to last about 10 years. Newer generation replacements that came on the market about 2 years ago will hopefully last l... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
127
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Mihalich is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Mihalich is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Nov 26, 2015
I am grateful for this doctor this Thanksgiving!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thx, the advice is eye opening. The rude judging proves his ignorance
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Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Tufts University School of Medicine, MA
Graduated 2000MD
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