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Dr. Robert Leland

Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery
Boulder , CO
33 years experience male

Locations

Office

Boulder , CO

Address

Mapleton Hill Orthopaedics, 975 North Street, Boulder , CO, US
Directions

My office hours

Thursday: Closed
Show more

Fax

(303) 440-7586

Insurances accepted

Aetna

Anthem BC Life & Health Insurance Company

Cigna

Golden Rule Insurance Company

Great-West Healthcare

Humana Insurance Company

Medicare

UnitedHealthcare

About

Bio

Fellowship trained, Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon, Specializing in Foot and Ankle disorders. I practice at Mapleton Hill Orthopaedics in Boulder Colorado and at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora Colorado.

Specialties
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

Licenses

United States: Colorado

Languages spoken

English

Doctor Q&A

122 Answers
21 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Any: Kids need shoes to protect their feet from "the elements" and to keep them warm on cold days. Expensive "supportive" shoes are not necessary. Save you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Cushioned heel: Whatever is comfortable is the short answer. Having said that a shoe with a good arch and cushioned heel is a good option (running shoe).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Plantar fascitis: Plantar fascitis on the bottom of the heel, achilles insertional tendonitis on the back of the heel.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Yes: First off, surgery should only be considered if the flat foot is symptommatic and has failed to respond to non surgical management. Flat foot surgery ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Not typically: While it is not uncommon for arches to collapse some as we age, high arches (cavus foot) do not typically progress to flat feet. Various conditions s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
It Depends: Orthopaedic conditions such as flat feet only requiring "fixing" if symptommatic. A variety of surgical and non-surgical options exist but need to be... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Probably no benefit: Probably a benefit in animals that hang from trees, but not likely to be a benefit or detriment in humans. Be happy with your toes, long or short!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Many: There are several ligaments that attach to the talus-anterior talofibular and posterior talofibular laterally (outside of ankle). Calcaneofibular liga... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Exam/mri: Some tendonitis can be accurately diagnosed with physical exam. A more certain assessment can be made with an MRI scan.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Talk to your dr: Accupuncture, fish oil, arnica. Speak to your dr before starting any treatments. Pharmacies that specialize in homeopathic remedies may be helpful ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Progressive: Different surgeons have varying protocols which all may be acceptable. Usually there is some form of immobilization for close to 3 months. By 6 month... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Back vs leg: "tingling and numbness" usually means a nerve is not functioning properly. Depending on what part of the leg is affected, it's possible that the nerve... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Severity of pain: Pain with increased activity can be multifactorial based on your general health, mechanics, shoe wear and training regimen. If your pain is more of a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Usually pain: Bunions are often asymptomatic and can therefore be left alone. When they do cause problems, it usually involves pain either on the inside of the big ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Likely unrelated: Spondylolysis does not typically cause foot pain and swelling. Probably due to another issue.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Osteotomies: An osteotomy (breaking and realigning the bone) is used to correct bowed legs but only if symptommatic or severe.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Cushioned heel: A shoe with some cushion will provide some "shock absorption" for your knee.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Rehab: If you're ankle ligaments are in good condition, conditioning, proprioceptive training and bracing are all good options. If the ligaments are deficien... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Follow instructions: Rate of bone healing is largely determined by biology. Good diet (vit d and calcium), not smoking) and following directions about weight bearing restr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Orthopaedic Surgeon: An orthopaedic foot and ankle is your best option. A list of these doctors can be found at aofas.Org.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Varies: Depends on severity of clubfoot, treatment, other health factors, etc. The foot and calf will always be smaller. The foot will be stiff. However, many... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Does it hurt?: Bow legs vary in cause (idiopathic, rickets, etc) severity, and symptoms. If significant and symptommatic, corrective osteotomies performed by an ort... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Not necessarily: As long as it is truly "a sprain" and you are showing improvement the vast majority of these injuries resolve uneventfully but can take several months... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
See ortho surg: Depends on the location of the break. See an orthopaedic surgeon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Pain/limitations: In patients with advanced hip arthritis with significant pain and functional limitations.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 53-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
? shoe fit: Numbness is a sign of nerve dysfunction which in your case sounds temporary. This can be due to a local nerve irritation, nerve irritation more proxim... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Overload: Ulcers which are particularly a problem in diabetic patients usually result from overload (pressure) to the foot either from a prominent bone area or ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Possibility: Lateral forefoot pain often is caused by "overload" which can produce stress reactions, stress fractures, joint irritation and nerve irritation.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Conditioning: Gentle range of motion, scar mobilization, conditioning (calf strengthening), proprioception. Follow surgeons guidelines for how to progress.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Many factors: Most patients at least maintain their pre-replacement range of motion and sometimes gain additional motion after ankle replacement.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Bracing/surgery: Dropfoot has various causes but results from the muscles that dorsiflex the ankle (primarily tibialis anterior) not functioning. This usually is caus... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 47-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Yes: If both require surgery it would possible (and often times preferable) to address both at the same time.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 26-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Many options: Rest, oral and topical nsaids, pt, immobilization, occasionally surgery.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Loss of cartilage: Arthritis is loss of articular (joint) cartilage and the inflammation that accompanies it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Side effects low,but: Generally, a low dose Prednisone taper has a low risk of side effects. However, unless this is a bad acute flare up, other very low risk options such ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Difficult: Unfortunately, it's best to "fit the shoe to the foot, rather than the foot to the shoe" flat feet often take up more space, necessitating a wider sh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Exam, x-ray: Ankle fractures typically result from a twisting injury. If you are unable to weight bear and have concerns, see an orthopaedic surgeon. If less conce... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Variable: Often, their are "no symptoms" as it is asymptomatic. Pain can be present in the arch, medial or lateral hindfoot.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Depends: Most total ankle replacements require a shorter period of being non weight bearing than ankle fusions. The decision for which of these treatment optio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Depends: Surgical treatment for elective orthopaedic conditions should be based on your pain, functional limitations, and failure to respond to non surgical ma... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Depends...: Ankle fractures (breaks) can either be stable or unstable injuries based on the mechanism of injury, force of injury, etc. Stable fractures typically... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Yes: Toe length varies between individuals. As with many physical attributes, there is a large range of "normal." certain conditions such as marfanism dis... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Labs/joint aspirate: Septic arthritis is a serious problem since bacteria destroy joint cartilage. If concerned you should seek medical attention (primary care or orthopae... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Labs: Presumptive diagnosis of gout can be made by exam (swollen warm joint), labs (elevated serum uric acid levels) and history, definitive diagnosis requi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Metal/plastic insert: Ankle replacement involves removing a small portion of bone on both sides of the joint (tibia and talus) and replacing it with metal on both ends and ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Muscle stim brace: Dropfoot has various causes but results from the muscles that dorsiflex the ankle (primarily tibialis anterior) not functioning. This usually is cause... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Seek treatment: This is likely a gastrocnemius (outer calf muscle) tear which despite significant pain heals well without surgery or treatment. This should be seen to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Vague term: This is used to describe a variety of possible underlying conditions such as stress fracture, periostitis, insertional tendonitis, muscle strain, etc.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Neurologist/orthopod: A neurologist can help diagnose the cause of a "drop foot." for bracing or reconstructive surgical options see an orthopaedic foot/ankle specialist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Leland
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery 33 years experience
Rule out dvt: While this is most likely a muscle strain, it's important to make sure a blood clot (DVT) isn't present. Talk to your primary care doctor to see if fu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Testimonials
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.

2
Recommendations
317
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Leland is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Leland is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Really help me understand a little more. My big toe turns DARK red, & has painful burning, pinching sensation & get numb if active for long.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! When I started PT, I was 0/5, now it's more like 1/5.
HealthTap member
Thank you. Had complications w/ surgery and got a little nervous.

Education & Training

Medical/Graduate school

Wayne State University School of Medicine, MI
Graduated 1990MD

Residency

Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center

Awards

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