Doctors

South Texas Foot Specialist

Dr. Canlas is a native of San Angelo, Texas. He received his undergraduate degree from Angelo State University and his medical degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. He completed residencies at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and at Plantation General Hospital. Dr. Canlas leads an active lifestyle, which reflects his treatment goals of restoration of function and quality of life. He is committed to returning patients to a healthy, enjoyable lifestyle while maintaining the highest level of patient care. 

Dr. Canlas specializes in surgical and non-surgical treatment of foot and ankle disorders. He is trained in arthroscopic surgery, sports medicine, lower extremity trauma, diabetic limb salvage, and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. He is board-certified in reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery as well as foot surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. Dr. Canlas is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Dr. Canlas and his wife Lauren live in the Clear Lake area and enjoy spending family time with their two boys, Talan and Brady. Dr. Canlas also enjoys playing golf and fly fishing.

Dr. Canlas is Board Certified in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot / Ankle Surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.

Meet Dr. Canlas Video

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South Texas Foot Specialist

Dr. Bridges is a native Texan born and raised in Tomball, Texas. He received his undergraduate education at the University of Texas in Austin and his medical degree from Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Bridges was a co-valedictorian of his medical class receiving a 4.0 GPA for all four years of study. He returned to his roots in Houston, Texas where he trained at St. Joseph Medical Center for 3 years. During his residency, he received advanced training in forefoot and rearfoot reconstruction, sports medicine, diabetic limb salvage, complex trauma, bunion correction with the Lapiplasty Method and ankle arthroscopy. For all three years of training, Dr. Bridges worked closely with all of the physicians at South Texas Foot Specialist. He is committed to returning patients to work, activity, and sport as quickly as possible. He also has a special interest in PRP, stem cell therapy, and newer, advanced techniques allowing an earlier return to activity. 

Dr. Bridges was a member of the University of Texas Tennis Team from 2005-2007 and was a 5A State Champion in 2004. His training habits in sports continued to his medical and surgical training. Currently, Dr. Bridges resides in Friendswood with his wife, Julia, and son, Anderson. He lives a very active lifestyle and still enjoys tennis, running, fishing, and community service. Dr. Bridges is currently boarded eligible with the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. 

Review Dr. Bridges Curriculum Vitae

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South Texas Foot Specialist

Dr. Viraj Rathnayake is board certified in foot surgery and rearfoot reconstructive surgery and experienced in treating all types of podiatric conditions from plantar fasciitis to simple and complex diabetic wounds. By happenstance, he had many ankle injuries in undergrad and saw a podiatrist who he later shadowed. From there, he became engrossed in the specialty. Dr. Rathnayake received his medical degree from Western University of Health Sciences and a degree in Foot and Ankle Reconstructive Surgery from Westside Regional Medical Center. He graduated with honors in 2016. Having more than 5 years of diverse experiences, especially in podiatry, Dr. Rathnayake affiliated with many hospitals including HCA Clear Lake Regional Hospital, HCA Mainland Hospital, HCA Southeast Hospital, Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, Houston Methodist St. John’s Hospital, Kindred Hospital Bay Area, Cornerstone Hospital, Houston Physicians’ Hospital, UTMB Clear Lake, PAM Rehab Hospital Clear Lake, and CHI St. Luke’s Health-Brazosport Hospital. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and exploring with his wife and daughter, hiking, kayaking, and biking.

It is his mission to give the most comprehensive foot and ankle treatment to our patients. Dr. Rathnayake strives for quality in conjunction with giving the safest and most efficient return to his or her daily functional activity.

Meet Dr. Rathnayake Video

Dr. Rathnayake Explains Plantar Fasciitis

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Dr. Shirmeen Lakhani, DPM, is a Podiatry specialist with over 13 years of diverse experience. She attended and graduated from Barry University School Podiatric Medicine in 2008 and is specially trained and skilled in treating disorders and injuries of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. As a Podiatrist, Shirmeen Lakhani, DPM performs diagnostic imaging of the foot, pain and mobility assessment, and treatment of acute foot injuries and disorders. Podiatry is a medical specialty that deals with disorders and dysfunction of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Podiatrists include sprains, broken bones, complications arising from diabetes and poor circulation, abnormal growth, nerve pain, hammertoe, arthritis, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, neuroma, athlete's foot, skin disorders, athletic injuries, congenital birth defects, and infection. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Podiatrists include x-ray, MRI, and CT diagnostic imaging, foot and ankle surgery, pain and mobility assessment, patient education, in-office pain relief of minor foot and ankle disorders, and referrals to physical therapists or other specialists as needed.  She is affiliated with many hospitals including Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. 

Review Dr. Lakhani Curriculum Vitae

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Dr. Sandeep Patel, a native Houstonian, is a graduate of the University of Houston where he received his Bachelor of Science in Biology. Dr. Patel then went on to his medical education at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Here he received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree.  He completed his surgical residency at Howard University/Providence Hospitals in Washington, DC, where he received extensive training in foot and ankle trauma as well as limb salvage. He was honored to be selected as chief resident his last year. He completed further training at John F Kennedy University Hospitals, which is an affiliate of UMDNJ.  There in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, he was further educated and trained in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery as well as wound care. He completed an ACFAS accredited course in foot and ankle arthroscopy as well.  Dr. Patel treats a wide spectrum of patients ranging from pediatrics to adult foot and ankle disorders/deformities. His interests include diabetic limb salvage, heel pain, fractures of the foot/ankle, ankle sprains/sports injuries, and reconstruction. He enjoys basketball, football, traveling, classical Indian drums(tabla) along with spending time with his wife and two kids.

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South Texas Foot Specialist

Dr. Nida Nisar is a board-qualified podiatrist serving the central Houston community. She treats all aspects of the foot and ankle.

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Dr. Nisar attended Loyola University Chicago where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology. After shadowing multiple types of physicians, she chose to pursue a career in podiatry at Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine and received her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Degree. Upon graduation, she was accepted to a rigorous 3-year foot and ankle surgical residency program at HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood.

Throughout her schooling and training, Dr. Nisar has volunteered for various health organizations providing free healthcare services to residents of her community. She believes the patient should always come first and does her best to ensure every patient is treated with the best care possible.

Dr. Nisar’s training has equipped her with the tools necessary to treat many different types of patients and pathologies. She is ready to listen to your concerns and develop a gentle yet effective treatment plan to help you get back on your feet!

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