About me
Dr. Ali Rahnama, DPM, is a board certified, fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon affiliated with MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, and is an Assistant Professor at the Georgetown University School of Medicine.
Dr. Rahnama sees patients for all conditions of the foot and ankle, with a special focus on reconstructive surgery as well as minimally invasive and arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of athletic injuries, which include ligamentous and tendon injuries as well as fractures of the ankle, talus, calcaneus, and Lisfranc joint. Dr. Rahnama also treats and specializes in diabetic Charcot reconstruction of the lower extremity.
Dr. Rahnama is board certified in Foot and Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
Dr. Rahnama’s clinical interests include sports-related injuries, fracture management, Charcot reconstruction, bunion and hammertoe correction, and first metatarsal phalangeal joint arthritis. His research interests include elective surgery in the diabetic population and exploring minimally invasive techniques for hallux valgus (bunion) surgery. He is dedicated to utilizing techniques that allow patients to get back on their feet as soon as possible without compromising care.
Dr. Rahnama completed his medical degree at Temple University in Philadelphia before completing a three-year surgical residency in foot and ankle surgery at the Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. He then completed a one-year specialty fellowship in traumatic and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery with The Southeast Permanente Medical Group, Inc. in Atlanta, where he performed more than 1,000 surgical procedures.
Dr. Rahnama is the author of several book chapters and peer review research articles and regularly lectures at national conferences in foot and ankle surgery and is committed to research as well as teaching residents, fellows and peers with the goal of advancing the field of foot and ankle surgery.
Dr. Rahnama lives locally with his wife, who is undergoing her medical training in Washington, DC. They enjoy outdoor activities as well as trying new and different foods when they can.
Philosophy of Care
“Individualized treatment plans and patient-focused treatment are what provide the best results for patients, as each case is unique to that person and their body. A patient who is educated on their condition is best prepared to make informed decisions together with their doctor, allowing them to put together a plan of action that’s best suited for them. Despite the comprehensive nature of my surgical training, I’m an advocate for conservative treatment options if and when they’re appropriate. I don’t only operate because I’m a surgeon. I do what’s best for the patient. If something can be managed and treated conservatively without surgery, that’s what I’ll try every single time.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Achilles Tendon Rupture Treatment
- Ankle Arthroscopy
- Ankle Fracture Treatment
- Ankle Ligament Repair
- Clubfoot Correction
- Non-Healing Wound Treatment
- Osteomyelitis Treatment
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Achilles Tendon Pain
- Acquired Finger Deformity
- Ankle Abrasion
- Ankle And Foot Burn
- Ankle And Foot Fracture
- Ankle And Foot Ganglion Cysts
- Ankle And Foot Injury
- Ankle And Foot Ligament Sprain
- Ankle Arthropathy
- Ankle Bursitis
- Ankle Callus
- Ankle Chondromalacia
- Ankle Impingement
- Ankle Instability
- Ankle Joint Dislocation
- Ankle Nerve Damage
- Ankle Osteochondritis Dissecans
- Ankle Osteonecrosis
- Ankle Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Ankle Tendon Rupture
- Ankle Varus Deformity
- Ankle, Foot, And Toe Dislocations
- Arthritis
- Arthropathy
- Bone Density Disorder
- Bone Discontinuity
- Bone Spur
- Bone Tumor
- Bunionettes
- Bunions
- Bursopathy
- Calcaneal Spur
- Cartilage Damage In The Ankle
- Cartilage Disorder Of The Ankle
- Clubfoot
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Congenital Deformities Of Feet
- Congenital Foot Deformity
- Congenital Malformations Of Limb
- Congenital Musculoskeletal Deformities
- Congenital Vertical Talus
- Diabetic Foot Ulcer
- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Drop Foot
- Enthesopathy Of Lower Limb
- Enthesopathy Of The Achilles Tendon
- Enthesopathy Of The Ankle Ligaments
- Flexible Flat Feet
- Flexor Tendon Rupture
- Flexor Tendonitis
- Foot And Ankle Birth Defects
- Foot And Ankle Burn Reconstruction
- Foot And Ankle Osteoarthritis
- Foot And Ankle Trauma
- Foot Cyst
- Foot Joint Pain
- Foot Nerve Damage
- Foot Osteoarthritis
- Foot Problems
- Foot Tendonitis
- Ganglion Cysts
- Hammertoes
- Heel Callus Formation
- Heel Fat Pad Atrophy
- Heel Fracture
- High Arches
- Ingrown Toenail
- Joint Derangement
- Joint Disorder
- Jones Fracture
- Kohler Disease
- Lateral Meniscus Injury
- Limb Deformity
- Lisfranc Injury
- Lower Leg And Ankle Fracture
- Lower Leg Fracture
- Lower Leg Injury
- Mononeuropathy Of Lower Limb
- Morton's Neuroma
- Orthopedic Aftercare
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteochondropathies
- Osteochondropathy Of The Ankle
- Osteonecrosis
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Presence Of Functional Implants
- Sesamoiditis
- Sever's Disease (HEEL PAIN)
- Stress Fracture
- Syndactyly
- Synovium And Tendon Disorder
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tendinitis Of The Foot
- Toe Arthritis
- Toe Cartilage Damage
- Toe Deformity
- Toe Dislocation
- Toe Joint Sprain
- Toe Nerve Damage
- Toe Tenosynovitis
Procedures I perform
- Achilles Tendon Rupture Treatment
- Ankle Arthroscopy
- Ankle Fracture Treatment
- Ankle Ligament Repair
- Ankle Replacement
- Ankle Stabilization
- Arthrodesis Of Ankle
- Bone Repair
- Clubfoot Correction
- Diabetes Foot Care
- Fibula Osteotomy
- Flap Surgery
- Foot Sprain Treatment
- Foot Wound Debridement
- Ganglion Cyst Excision
- Heel Pain Treatment
- Heel Spur Removal
- Heel Tendon Repair
- Hindfoot Amputation
- Matrixectomy
- Metatarsalgia Treatment
- Morton's Neuroma Injections
- Muscle Injection
- Neuroma Excision
- Non-Healing Wound Treatment
- Orthopedic Bracing
- Orthotic Device Fitting
- Osteochondritis Dissecans Treatment
- Osteomyelitis Treatment
- Peroneal Tendonitis Treatment
- Plantar Fascia Release
- Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
- Prosthetic And Orthotic Devices
- Sports Injury Treatment
- Sports Medicine Of The Foot
- Sprain And Strain Treatment
- Tarsal Tunnel Release
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
- Tendon Transplantation
- Toe Fracture Reduction
- Toe Nail Resection
- Toe Replacement Surgery
- Toe Sprain Treatment
- Venous Ulcer Treatment
- Wound Care
- Wound Reconstruction
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- Choice POS II
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- OA Plus
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Aetna HMO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst EPO
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- TRICARE for Life East
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- IH-Open POS II
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- First Health PPO
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Navigate
- Employee Health Plan
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- CareFirst NASCO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- IH-POS
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Tricare Reserve Select
- POS OA
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Aetna VA Exchange
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- IH-EPO Plus
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- CIGNA PPO
- IH-Indemnity
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- TRICARE East Prime
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- TRICARE East Select
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- IH-POS Plus
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- IH-Open HMO
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Aetna Basic
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Blue Choice Advantage
- United Healthcare Choice
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- IH-HMO
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Optimum Choice
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- United Student Resources
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- UHC Passport
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Sentara Health
- Choice POS
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Beech Street PPO
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Choice Fund PPO
- IH-Network Only Plus
- IH-PPO
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- CIGNA EPO
- Medicare FFS
- Network OA
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Medicare Direct
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Aetna Classic 5000
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- CareFirst Administrators
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- HighMark
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Foot and Ankle Surgery
Fellowship: Northside Hospital Atlanta (2018)
Residency: Wayne State University School of Medicine (2017)
Medical School: Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (2014)
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
Alexandra T. Black, Jered M. Stowers, Son Tran, Karla De La Mata, Alain E. Sherman, Ali RahnamaVaghef. Clinical Outcomes for Pilon Variant Posterior Malleolar Fractures: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Volume 61, Issue 6, 2022, Pages 1303-1307, ISSN 1067-2516.
Stowers JM, Black AT, Kavanagh AM, Mata K, Bohm A, Katchis SD, Weiner LS, Spielfogel W, Rahnama A. Predicting Nonunions in Ankle Fractures Using Quantitative Tibial Hounsfield Samples From Preoperative Computed Tomography: A Multicenter Matched Case Control Study. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2022 May-Jun;61(3):562-566. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2021.10.007. Epub 2021 Oct 22. PMID: 34819267.
Black AT, Stowers JM, Tenley J, Hu CY, Eshetu T, Spielfogel WD, Katchis SD, RahnamaVaghef A, Weiner LS. The Association Between Lateral Radiographs and Axial Computed Tomography of Posterior Malleolar Fractures as a Tool for Predicting Medial Malleolar Extension: A Multi-Center Retrospective Analysis. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2021 Mar 10:S1067-2516(21)00080-6. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2021.03.002. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33785238.
Zeeshan S. Husain, Ali Rahnama-Vaghef; Staged Surgical Management of Open Navicular Fracture Secondary to a Gunshot Injury. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 1 May 2021; 111 (3): Article_21. doi: https://doi.org/10.7547/18-035