Docs Doing Great Things
Each month BREAKTHRU Fitness and Physical Therapy will highlight a Doctor in the area who is making a difference and assisting individuals in staying healthy and/or treating injuries that will allow them to return to their daily, active lifestyle.
Dr. Ana Cafengiu
Where are you from? Where did you go to college / medical school?
I was born in Bucharest, Romania and my family came to the United States when I was 6 years old. I grew up in Tenafly, a town in North Jersey. I attended Houghton College for undergraduate studies and Temple School of Podiatric Medicine for my Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine.
Why did you want to study medicine? How long have you been practicing medicine?
Ever since I was young, I liked problem-solving games, art, and creating things with my hands. I also remember finding injured animals and trying to“nurse” them back to health. So, in a way studying medicine was a natural progression for me. I get to do something every day to help patients, and I use my hands to create orthotics or perform surgery. I have been in private practice for the past 11 years.
What are the most common ailments / injuries you treat?
I treat a variety of conditions that affect the feet and ankles; whether they affect the skin, nails, muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones or joints. The most common ailments I see are bacterial or fungal infections of the feet, ingrown nails, warts, heel pain, Achilles injuries, and bunion and hammertoe deformities. I treat foot and ankle fractures, trauma of different kinds, tendon injuries, and sports related injuries that affect the lower leg. I treat a great deal of “overuse” injuries in runners and other types of athletes.
What is your overall medical philosophy / approach?
My overall medical philosophy is “to treat each patient as an individual and provide effective treatment to return the patient to full, pain-free function as quickly as possible.” As a surgeon, I attempt conservative treatment prior to surgical intervention. My focus is to treat the underlying causes, usually biomechanical in nature, that are contributing to the condition in order to obtain long-term results and prevent recurrence.
Little known fact about you? What do you do when you are not working – hobbies, etc?
I appreciate functional design and would love the chance to have my own show on HGTV.
When I am not working, I am either running, climbing, playing basketball or being entertained by my five-month old baby, Sofia.
Dr. Ana Cafengiu
Cafengiu Podiatry & Sports Medicine, LLC.
856-810-8833 (T), 856-810-7811 (F)
127 Church Road, Suite #700
Marlton, NJ 09053-9425