Meleca Foot and Ankle Specialist

03/31/2025

Join me for an informative seminar! Would love to see you there! If you have any questions, please feel free to DM message us!

11/22/2024

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Another day at the office! Love fixing forefoot deformities that cause people pain in order to achieve pain relief. This patient had a painful bunion and bunionette and this is their two weeks post op. I look forward to seeing how she does! If you’d like to learn about my approach, come visit our office in or call us at 904-460-1120 to book your appointment. Very grateful for the MIS techniques I learned to decrease the risk of injury and infection post op and decrease the patients pain post op as well! 😊 Ps: Ettore Vulcano, MD has a great book to read on MIS techniques. It’s called Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery: A percutaneous approach!!!

09/25/2024

Whether they’re mild or severe, there’s no indication for surgical correction of a bunion deformity unless they have pain. Minimally invasive techniques, nonetheless, do achieve equal outcomes as open surgery while reducing the risk of post-op complications such as nerve injury, infection and even reduce the amount of post-operative pain. With much thanks to my mentors I now perform most of my surgeries with minimally invasive techniques to help people on their way to recovery sooner.

Want to learn more about us. Schedule your visit with us at melecafootandankle.com

09/17/2024

What a ride 🤘🏼! My wife and I were admitted to UF North in Jax for what we thought was just going to be a regular BPP NST (pregnancy check) and it turned out to be what we didn’t want… Sandy needing a C-section for baby Niccolo. Our baby boy however was safely delivered through the procedure and Sandy was also kept safe during it all. I can definitely say that God heard our prayers and even though you get what you don’t expect, you always get what’s best for you because He just knows what to do! My wife’s been a trooper through all this and I REALLY want to thank all of our family, friends and just solid people who have made this experience an enjoyable one. Staff at UF North is awesome… if you need an OB don’t forget about Dr. LaRae Brown. Our midwives were on point. We didn’t know what was wrong but ended up finding out through the C section that Nicco had his umb cord wrapped around his body which, combined with oligohydramnios was making his rate dip low. Thank God for the intuition of all these people that made his delivery go smooth. I hope I really gave the shoutout to everyone who deserved it. Thanks to all the OB friends and family who gave us support and advice, and the people who visited us and prayed for us in this time. My mother and father-in-law were stellar to come help us. Others are on the way. Wifey is doing well and still recovering. Last thing… thankfully, I still got a workout in and ran another 4 miles (6.44 km) to support theathletesgym head coach Dennis Lindsay in raising awareness for mental health in sports. Please check it out! Love you all. Daddy Sal, signing out.

07/17/2024

63 yr old F pt with a PMH of osteoporosis presented to my office one day with ankle pain denying any incident of trauma in the past. She had lateral ankle pain that was relatively around the distal fibula. An MRI was obtained and she was found to have an old distal fibular fracture, Weber B, that was either a delayed or non-union. I decided to perform an IM nail of the fibula to allow for intramedullary healing as well as adding stability to the fibula. I have her WBAT in a boot for 6 weeks… possibly + an additional two weeks depending on CT scan results that I will likely obtain at that point.

05/14/2024

Adult acquired flat foot (AAFD) is a condition that affects the structure and function of the foot, leading to a collapse of the arch. It typically develops over time, progressing through several stages, each with its own characteristics and treatment options.

The first stage of AAFD is characterized by inflammation and weakening of the posterior tibial tendon, which is responsible for supporting the arch of the foot. This stage often presents with pain and swelling along the inside of the foot and ankle, particularly after activity. Treatment at this stage usually involves rest, ice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and tendons supporting the arch.

If left untreated, AAFD can progress to the second stage, where the deformity becomes more pronounced. In this stage, the arch begins to collapse, leading to a noticeable flattening of the foot. Patients may experience increased pain and difficulty with activities that require standing or walking for extended periods. Treatment options at this stage may include orthotic devices, such as arch supports or custom-made shoe inserts, to help support the arch and reduce symptoms.

As AAFD progresses to the third stage, the arch continues to collapse, and the foot becomes increasingly deformed. Patients may develop arthritis in the foot and ankle joints due to the altered biomechanics. In addition to orthotic devices, treatment at this stage may also involve bracing or casting to immobilize the foot and ankle and prevent further deformity. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to realign the bones and tendons of the foot and restore function.

The fourth and final stage of AAFD is characterized by severe deformity and dysfunction of the foot and ankle. The arch is completely collapsed, and the foot may appear twisted or misaligned. Patients often experience chronic pain and difficulty walking, which can significantly impact their quality of life. Treatment options at this stage are limited and may include surgical intervention to reconstruct the foot and ankle, such as tendon transfers, osteotomies, or fusion procedures.

Overall, the treatment of AAFD depends on the stage of the condition and the severity of symptoms. Early intervention with conservative measures, such as rest, physical therapy, and orthotic devices, can help to alleviate pain and prevent further progression of the deformity. However, in more advanced stages, surgical intervention may be necessary to restore function and improve quality of life for patients with AAFD.

01/24/2024

Ready to crush your fitness goals in 2024? 💪🏼 🏋🏻‍♂️ you guys already know I love to stay healthy by moving my body. If you’re looking for a fun and epic workout experience check out ! Joined the fun last night and let me tell you this is the place to be! 💥

01/12/2024

12/09/2023

Where we specialize in providing exceptional foot and ankle care to our patients. Dr. Salvatore Meleca is dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and preventing a wide range of foot and ankle conditions.
https://melecafootandankle.com/book-now/

11/18/2023

Today! Come by our office! Free evaluations and discounted orthotics if needed. We'll be here from 10-3 pm!