Foot and Ankle Surgery with Dr. Brandon Mecham

The human foot is an incredible biological marvel, containing 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Despite its strength and resilience, the foot is also incredibly vulnerable to injury and discomfort. Whether due to ill-fitting shoes, overuse, or simply neglect, foot problems are all too common and can seriously impact a person's quality of life.

In this episode, Shannon sits with Dr. Brandon Mecham. Specializing in the treatment of common to complex foot and ankle disorders, Dr. Mecham talks about what a podiatrist actually does, what causes the majority of foot problems, and why the foot requires special care.

Dr. Brandon Mecham is Board Qualified in Foot Surgery as well as Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery with the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Born and raised in Mesa, he completed his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University and then went on to attend the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine where he graduated at the top of his class. He completed a 3-year surgical residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center where he served as chief resident and received advanced training in trauma and reconstructive surgery, sports medicine, arthroscopy, external fixation and diabetic care, and limb salvage.

Dr. Brandon Mecham is committed to achieving the best outcomes for his patients by exploring all treatment options, including non-surgical and minimally invasive approaches. He is well-regarded by patients for his expertise, approachable style, and personalized care and treatment plans.

Enjoy!

In This Episode

00:57 - Backstory of Dr. Brandon Mecham

01:34 - What led Dr. Mecham to join Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas

02:32 - What inspired Dr. Mecham to become a physician

03:59 - What a podiatrist actually does

05:04 - The most common issues Dr. Mecham encounters on a daily basis

05:43 - Dr. Mecham's approach to treating plantar fasciitis and bunions

08:54 - What causes the majority of foot problems

10:39 - How to care for diabetic foot

12:44 - Why custom orthotics are a huge help for many foot conditions

14:01 - What sets podiatrists apart from other orthopedic surgeons

17:24 - Why the foot requires special care

18:06 - What the ankle joint replacement looks like

Favorite Quotes

02:30 - "I was always that kid who was fascinated with how the body healed and how the body could repair itself." - Dr. Brandon Mecham

09:07 - "There are so many misconceptions about shoes. The single biggest one is that expensive shoes are good shoes. Good shoes are typically more expensive, but just because they cost a lot of money does not make them good." - Dr. Brandon Mecham

09:29 - "Our feet, just like the rest of us, change their size and shape over time. They can get bigger, or they can get smaller. The tendency is that as we age, our feet will get larger and a little bit longer. The arch will flatten, and they'll get a little bit longer and wider." - Dr. Brandon Mecham

10:22 - "You should not be able to fold a shoe in half like a taco. You shouldn't be able to wring it out like a sponge. You need something where the shoe's shank is fairly rigid. It gives a ton of support to those metatarsals and the midfoot, and your feet will thank you for it." - Dr. Brandon Mecham

19:29 - "One of my favorite procedures is ankle joint replacement because you take someone who's just in a lot of pain and suffering, and you can make them pain-free. It's a massive turnaround." - Dr. Brandon Mecham

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