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