Gunasayan Nick D.P.M. FACAS

Advance Foot & Ankle Associates is a leading podiatric practice dedicated to providing exceptional foot and ankle care to patients in San Luis Obispo County. Founded by Dr. Nick Gunasayan and joined by Dr. Lant Abernathy, our team of experienced and highly-trained podiatrists is committed to helping our patients achieve and maintain healthy and pain-free feet, enabling them to enjoy an active and fulfilling lifestyle.

Our Team

*Dr. Nick Gunasayan, DPM, FACFAS*

Dr. Nick Gunasayan is a board-certified podiatric surgeon with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in foot surgery, rear foot and ankle reconstruction surgery, and extracorporeal ShockWave therapy for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. Dr. Gunasayan holds staff privileges at French Hospital, Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, and Twin Cities Community Hospital.

Raised in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Gunasayan earned his B.S. in biology at Austin College, where he played on the lacrosse team. He attended the California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco and completed a 3-year podiatric surgical residency at South Miami Hospital. Dr. Gunasayan relocated to San Luis Obispo in 2002, serving the community through various podiatric services. He is an expert in foot and ankle surgery, diabetic limb salvage, ankle arthroscopy, forefoot surgery, diabetic wound care, sports medicine, and podiatric medical management. Dr. Gunasayan is devoted to employing a conservative treatment-first approach, helping patients return to their active lives quickly.

*Dr. Lant Abernathy, DPM, AACFAS*

Dr. Lant Abernathy is a native of San Luis Obispo County, growing up on an 80-acre ranch in Paso Robles. He earned his B.A. in biology and a minor in chemistry from the University of Redlands and completed his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree at Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Abernathy underwent extensive training in foot and ankle surgery at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus Foot and Ankle Surgery Residency Program in Northern Virginia and The CORE Institute Advanced Foot and Ankle Surgery Fellowship Program in Phoenix, Az.

Dr. Abernathy specializes in foot and ankle reconstruction, total ankle arthroplasty, ankle arthroscopy and sports medicine, flatfoot and high arch feet deformities, revisional surgery, trauma, and advanced forefoot reconstruction. He has completed over 1200 surgical cases and 4,000 procedures, including over 50 total ankle arthroplasties. His training equips him with the latest techniques and knowledge in the field.

Our Services

Advance Foot & Ankle Associates offers a wide range of services, including:

• Foot and ankle fracture repair
• Diabetic limb salvage
• Ankle arthroscopy
• Forefoot surgery
• Diabetic wound care
• Sports medicine
• Podiatric medical management

We also provide specialized care for:

• Geriatric foot care
• Pediatric foot care
• Custom orthotics
• Podiatric dermatology
• Ingrown toenails
• Warts and fungal infections
• Neuromas

Our experienced team is dedicated to minimizing pain, improving mobility, and enhancing the overall quality of life of our patients. We understand that foot and ankle pain can significantly impact daily activities, and we strive to provide individualized treatment plans to meet each patient's unique needs.