Foot Surgery
Foot & Ankle Surgery · Johannesburg, South Africa
Your feet carry you through every part of daily life, from walking the dog to standing at work to chasing after grandchildren. When pain, injury, or deformity affects your feet or ankles, even simple movements become a struggle.
Full-Spectrum Foot and Ankle Surgical Care
Our practice offers a full range of foot and ankle surgical treatments, combining precise technique with a focus on getting you back to the activities you enjoy.
Below is an overview of the foot and ankle conditions we treat and the surgical options available.
Foot and Ankle Conditions We Treat
Ankle and Foot Fractures
Fractures of the ankle and foot range from simple hairline breaks to complex injuries involving several bones. Sports injuries, falls, and motor vehicle accidents are common causes. Treatment depends on the severity and location of the break. Some fractures heal well with a cast or boot, while others need surgical fixation with plates, screws, or pins to restore proper alignment. Early, accurate treatment reduces the risk of long-term stiffness, arthritis, or deformity.
Ligament Ruptures Around the Ankle and Foot
Ligaments hold your bones together and stabilise your joints. A sudden twist or roll of the ankle can tear these ligaments, leading to pain, swelling, and a feeling of instability. While many ligament injuries respond to physiotherapy and bracing, more severe or repeated ruptures often need surgical repair or reconstruction to restore stability and prevent ongoing sprains.
Tendon Ruptures
Tendons connect muscle to bone and allow your foot and ankle to move. The Achilles tendon is the most commonly injured, often rupturing during sudden bursts of activity such as sprinting or jumping. Other tendons around the foot, including the peroneal and posterior tibial tendons, can also tear from overuse or injury. Surgical repair restores tendon length and strength, allowing a proper return to walking, running, and sport.
Flatfoot Correction in Children
Many children have flexible flat feet that correct themselves as they grow, and this is usually nothing to worry about. However, some children have a rigid or painful flatfoot that affects their walking and activity levels. When conservative treatment such as orthotics and physiotherapy does not help, surgical correction can realign the foot, relieve pain, and support healthy development as your child grows.
Bunion and Lesser Toe Deformity Corrections
Bunions form when the big toe joint shifts out of position, creating a painful bump on the side of the foot. Lesser toe deformities, such as hammer toes and claw toes, often develop alongside bunions or from years of ill-fitting footwear. Surgical correction realigns the affected bones and joints, relieving pain and improving your ability to wear shoes comfortably.
Fusions
Joint fusion, also known as arthrodesis, involves permanently joining two or more bones to eliminate painful movement in a damaged joint. This procedure is often recommended for advanced arthritis or severe deformity in the foot or ankle that has not responded to other treatments. While fusion reduces flexibility in the joint, it provides lasting pain relief and improved stability for standing and walking.
Osteotomies of the Foot
An osteotomy involves cutting and repositioning a bone to correct alignment. This technique is commonly used to treat bunions, flatfoot, and other structural deformities of the foot. By restoring normal alignment, an osteotomy relieves pressure on surrounding joints, reduces pain, and helps prevent further deformity over time.
Gastroc Recessions
Tightness in the calf muscle, known as the gastrocnemius, can place excess strain on the foot and ankle, contributing to conditions such as flatfoot and plantar fasciitis. A gastroc recession is a procedure that lengthens this muscle, releasing tension and improving the mechanics of the foot. It is often performed alongside other foot and ankle surgeries for a more complete correction.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatments
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, resulting from inflammation of the tissue band running along the bottom of your foot. Most cases improve with rest, stretching, orthotics, and physiotherapy. When these measures fail to relieve persistent pain, surgical release of the plantar fascia may be recommended to reduce tension and allow the tissue to heal.
Getting the Right Treatment for Your Feet
Every foot and ankle condition is different, and the right treatment depends on your specific diagnosis, lifestyle, and goals. Our approach combines careful assessment with a range of surgical and non-surgical options, so you receive a treatment plan suited to your needs, not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Get Moving Again With Confidence
If foot or ankle pain is holding you back from the activities you love, we are here to help you get moving again with confidence.