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
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Optimum Choice
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- IH-POS Plus
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- HighMark
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- MultiPlan, Inc
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Navigate
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- CareFirst EPO
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- IH-EPO Plus
- CIGNA EPO
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Choice Fund PPO
- UHC Passport
- Aetna Basic
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Network OA
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- TRICARE for Life East
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- CareFirst NASCO
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Medicare Direct
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Medicare FFS
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- IH-Indemnity
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Tricare Reserve Select
- IH-Open POS II
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- First Health PPO
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- IH-HMO
- IH-POS
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- TRICARE East Prime
- TRICARE East Select
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice
- OA Plus
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- CIGNA PPO
- Core Essential (HMO)
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- First Health PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Beech Street PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Sentara Health
- IH-PPO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst Administrators
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- HealthyBlue PPO
- IH-Open HMO
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Choice POS II
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- United Student Resources
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Employee Health Plan
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Choice POS
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- POS OA
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
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