Dr. Kalmus
Dr. Qanita Ali
Dr. Qanita Ali is a highly-skilled and compassionate Podiatric Physician and Foot and Ankle Surgeon. Dr. Ali provides care in a broad spectrum of foot and ankle conditions with a special interest in diabetic limb salvage, foot and ankle reconstruction, total ankle joint replacements, trauma, wound care, sports medicine, and elective surgery. She is dedicated to restoring mobility and improving the quality of life for her patients.
Dr. Ali graduated with academic distinction from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. Following this, she received her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Kent State University in Cleveland, Ohio. She then completed her residency at the highly regarded Beaumont Health Wayne Podiatric Medicine and Surgical Residency, with added credentialing in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Lawrence Fallat. During this period, she served as Chief Resident, overseeing complex cases, honing her surgical skills, and expanding her clinical proficiency.
Complementing her clinical work, Dr. Ali maintains a strong involvement in research. She has contributed to a number of published studies in her field, with a focus on innovative surgical techniques and treatment methods. Her research encompasses a variety of subjects, including surgical treatments for foot and ankle conditions, the use of 3D-printed implants for total joint replacements, successful Charcot reconstruction techniques, osteomyelitis infection treatment protocols, and specialized skin flap techniques. These contributions have earned her multiple awards at various conferences and research competitions.
Dr. Ali’s proficiency in both English and Arabic languages allows her to cater to a diverse set of patients, ensuring clear communication and understanding. She is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.
List of Some Common Disorders Which We Treat:
The Achilles tendon provides the power for calf muscles to push the body with each step. This power is essential for running, jumping, and even regular walking. When pain is experienced in this tendon, it can be from tendonitis, rupture, friction against the heel bone, or other causes. A complete examination and medical imaging will help to determine the best treatment for Achilles tendon pain. (more info on Achilles Tendon)
Ankle injuries are the most common injuries in sports, and they frequently occur in jumping sports, such as basketball or volleyball. Ankle ligament sprains are partial or total ruptures of the ligaments which stabilize the ankle joint. It is not uncommon to re-injure a previously sprained ankle, so getting the proper plan of care is very important. (more info on Ankle Sprains)
An ankle fracture is a severe injury which takes many weeks to heal and may need surgery. Unfortunately, the ankle is one of the most common broken bones in the body, and this puts the person at risk for eventual ankle joint arthritis. For the best recovery following an ankle fracture, it is important to get specialist treatment. (more info on Ankle Fractures)
Pain in the heel can caused by inflammation of the ligaments which attach to the heel bone. The Achilles tendon inserts onto the back of the heel, and the plantar fascia ligament which spans the sole of the foot begins on the bottom of the heel. When heel pain strikes, a consultation with a foot specialist can determine the best way to get back to pain free activities. (more info on Heel Pain)
The ankle is a complex joint with many tendons and ligaments around it. Ankle pain can be due to injury, arthritis, or poor alignment. Medical imaging and examination can help to determine the cause of ankle pain and the best specific treatment to help relieve the discomfort. (more info on Ankle Pain)
Pain in the arch of the foot can be uncomfortable with every step you take. The causes include plantar fasciitis, flat foot, arthritis, or other ailments. Although icing or rest may temporarily help arch pains, a proper diagnostic workup and professional care plan will help provide more effective relief. (more info on Arch Pain).
Arthritis is pain in the joints of the foot or ankle. This can occur at the big toe joint, the ankle joint, or any joint in the foot. Arthritis can be due to erosion of cartilage surface in the joint or other inflammation processes. It is most often seen after an injury to the joint, but it can also be a product of repeated stress on the joint. (more info on Arthritis)
Bunions are a painful deformity which affect the great toe joint. A “bump” is seen on the middle side of the toe, and this can cause difficulty fitting into shoes as well as pain in the joint itself. If left untreated for many years, the great toe joint can become dislocated and push the other toes into hammertoe contractures. Certain foot structures are more prone to develop bunions, and this structure is based on heredity. Many patients with painful bunions also have family members who have experienced the same symptoms. (more info on Bunions)
High arches in the feet are less common than flat feet, but they have their own set of problems. People with high foot arches are more likely to experience ankle sprains and tendonitis or pressure on the outside of their foot. While some high-arched feet are the result of nerve diseases or strokes, other people have a natural tendency for this foot type. It is important for these patients to be check out professionally in order to help prevent discomfort or injury from a cavus foot type. (more info on Cavus Foot)
Charcot foot is a destruction of joints in the foot which causes dislocations and an abnormally shaped foot. This most frequently caused by diabetes or other blood disorders which result in loss of foot sensation. The changes seen in Charcot foot make the patient prone to ulcerations and cause great difficulty with walking or fitting into shoes. Charcot joint changes are a serious condition which needs to be monitored and treated by an expert. (more info on Charcot Foot)
Corns and calluses are common conditions which affect many people’s feet. These will cause pain when walking, and they are typically caused by the structure of the foot and pressure from shoes. It is not advised to perform home shaving of calluses or use drug store acid products since these treatments may cause skin injury and infection. Also, the skin pressures and foot structure will cause the calluses to return unless a professional plan of care can determine and treat the causes. (more info on Corns and Calluses)
Skin of the feet and ankles is unique in that it takes the stresses of walking and is covered with socks and shoes for much of the day. This causes sweating, moisture, pressures, and damage. Those factors can lead to skin infections, dryness, wounds, or other problems in the feet. An expert exam can determine the causes and solutions for skin problems in the feet and ankle. (more info on Dermatology)
Diabetes causes many changes in the body. In the feet, poor circulation, loss of sensation, and wounds or infection may develop. A podiatrist is an essential part of the diabetic patient’s health care team. Preventative diabetic foot exams and foot care can help to prevent problems or cure them when they do strike. The best thing that can be done to prevent diabetic foot problems – or diabetic health problems in general – is to control blood sugars well. (more info on Diabetic Foot)
Flat feet can be caused by tendon imbalance, injury, or usually just genetic foot shape. This will usually mean a foot that does not function well when walking, and playing sports is often difficult. Patients with flat feet are also more prone to developing bunions, arthritis, and other foot problems. Determining the best treatments for each individual is complex and based on the flexibility of the deformity. (more info on Flat Foot)
A fracture is a broken bone in the foot or the ankle. There are 26 bones in each foot below the ankle joint as well as two additional small bones below the big toe. Breaks in these bones can occur suddenly due to injury, or stress fractures can be caused slowly over a period of time. Fractures which do not heal well may cause a change in the shape or mechanics of the foot, which often causes arthritis. (more info on Fractures)
The great toe joint is the most common joint where gout strikes, but the knee, ankle, or other joints may be affected also. Gout can happen to anyone, but it is most often seen in patients who eat a rich diet which is heavy in meats, cheese, and wine. Blood testing and joint fluid testing should be done to determine whether gout or other forms of arthritis are the cause. (more info on Gout)
Toenail problems can cause pain or even draining infections. An ingrown toenail may begin due to shoe pressures or sometimes just the natural curve of the nails. A foot specialist has the proper tools and expertise to treat ingrown toenails and relieve pains which they cause. Permanent removal of the nail or a portion of the nail is also an option for nails which are a persistent problem. (more info on Ingrown Toenail)
Toe contractures of the smaller toes are called hammertoes. These can be flexible or rigid bends in the toe joints, and they will usually get more painful over time. These deformities may seem small, but they can cause pressure points, calluses or even ulcers when they rub on the shoes. A visit with a foot surgeon can determine if padding or correction of the toes is the best treatment option. (more info on Hammertoes)
The foot’s thick skin and heavy sweating make it prone to both bacterial and fungal diseases. Athlete’s foot is a common fungal skin infection of the feet which can cause painful itching and burning. Foot infections can spread quickly due to the moisture and relatively poor blood supply in the feet, so it is important to get expert advice for proper healing. (more info on Infections)
A neuroma is a pinched nerve in the ball of the foot. This will cause throbbing, tingling, or burning pain which is sometimes relieved by resting, wearing larger shoes, or massaging the foot. The nerve trunk is compressed between the bones of the foot during walking, and it enters a cycle of inflammation and damage. There are both surgical and conservative treatments available to alleviate the pain of foot neuromas. (more info on Morton’s Neuroma)
Toenails which are discolored, thickened, and brittle might contain fungus. This can make trimming difficult and the appearance unsightly. For the confirmation of fungus and discussion of modern treatment options, it is best to visit a foot specialist. (more info on Nail Fungus)
Shooting or tingling sensations in the legs, ankle, or feet can be due to nerve pains. These pains are complex and can have a variety of causes, such as radiating back pain, foot deformity, or compression of a nerve by the bones or blood vessels around it. While nerve pains are difficult to completely cure, professional evaluation can help to get to the root of the cause and keep you walking. (more info on Nerve Pain)
Millions of active Americans use insoles, braces, or custom shoes on their feet every day. Properly made devices can serve different purposes such as cushioning, arch support, protection, or bracing to limit painful motions. Before spending money on insoles, it is usually a good idea to visit a foot and ankle specialist in order to determine the type of support or cushioning needed based on individual foot type. (more info on Orthotics and Braces)
Osteoarthritis is “wear and tear” arthritis with loss of cartilage in the joints. This can occur at the big toe joint, the ankle joint, or any joint in the foot. It is most often seen after an injury to the joint, but it can also be a product of repeated stress on the joint or a deformity. A foot and ankle surgeon can evaluate medical imaging to recommend options such as injections or bracing in early stages, and joint replacement or fusion may be considered in advanced cases. (more info on Osteoarthritis)
Pain or cramping in the legs and feet may be due to peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This condition is caused by poor circulation to the limb. Since the feet are far from the heart, blood vessels which are narrowed by plaques will cause limited flow, fragile skin, and pains in the calves and feet. Patients who suffer from PAD are also likely to have heart disease and other serious medical issues. Professional diagnosis and effective treatment may be critical to saving the leg. Regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, and good nutrition are the best ways to prevent PAD. (more info on Peripheral Arterial Disease)
Pain on the bottom of the heel is most commonly caused by plantar fasciitis, and when it becomes severe, it may be hard to even take those first steps in the morning without burning pain. Visiting a doctor who specializes in foot treatment can help to provide you with options for relieving the pains of plantar fasciitis. (more info on Plantar Fasciitis)
The formation of a painful bump on the sole of the foot that becomes covered with callus and difficult to walk on may be a wart. These are persistent problems that resist many treatments, and they are most often seen in children and teens. Professional strength treatments are available from your podiatrist to help cure warts and prevent recurrence. (more info on Plantar Warts)
The small joints of the foot are especially prone to the changes and dislocations seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Foot surgeons are trained to provide padding and bracing options to ease the pains, and surgery to correct deformities is also provided should it become necessary. (more info on Rheumatoid Arthritis)
An active lifestyle is essential for good health, but when foot or ankle injuries strike, they can make sports and recreation difficult. Professional evaluation and diagnosis of tendon, bone, and ligament injuries can help to get recreational and competitive athletes return to the playing field and the gym quickly. (more info on Sports Injuries)
The skin, bones, or soft tissues of the foot can develop tumors which require expert treatment by a specialist physician. Medical imaging and biopsy or surgery may be necessary to determine if a tumor is benign or malignant and analyze whether other tumors may also be present in the body. Pain or an unexplained lump is often the first sign of a foot tumor, and proper evaluation is needed. (more info on Tumors)
A large percentage of foot and ankle injuries occur during work, and professional documentation and evaluation of these conditions is required by the employer. Visiting a foot and ankle specialist can provide the patient with documents they need to get back to work or help secure disability income during a recovery period. (more info on Work Injuries)
When wounds of the leg, ankle, or foot occur, they can suffer from slow healing or infection due to blood supply and pressures of walking. It is very important to receive expert care plans based on the cause of the wound and best methods to obtain healing. Wounds in a diabetic patient’s foot are especially problematic, which makes it important to seek immediate treatment. (more info on Wound Care)
Some disorders we treat:
- Elective and reconstructive surgery
- Heel or arch pain
- Bunions and hammertoes
- Injuries, trauma, fractures
- Cuts and infections
- Ingrown toenails
- Second opinions
- Diabetic foot care, wounds, and shoes
- Athletic tendon or ligament injuries – new or old
- Arthritis with pain or swelling
- Worker’s compensation
- Corns and calluses
- Nail and skin disorders, warts, or rashes
- Children’s foot concerns, such as flatfoot or intoe
We are available to provide professional solutions for your foot and ankle problems – with a personal touch. Complete foot and ankle care is provided through a broad range of conservative, medical, and surgical treatment services.
With many advanced services available, you can expect cutting edge examination, diagnosis, and treatments for pain and disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. As a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM), our staff physician has completed surgical residency training and gained specialty expertise in advanced procedures and treatment modalities, including arthroscopic, laser, and minimally invasive surgery.
With available consultation from internal medicine, radiology, vascular surgery, plastic surgery, and other area specialists, complete care plans, based on the latest medical research, are developed for each patient.
Many conditions of the foot and ankle can be painful, progressive, and difficult to cope with. If you have questions or concerns regarding a foot, ankle, or lower leg problem, we look forward to helping you soon.