What is podiatric surgery?
Podiatric surgery is the surgical treatment of your foot and its related structures including the bones, joints, and soft tissues.
It is usually recommended if other non-surgical treatments, such as physiotherapy and rest, have not relieved your pain, or if your foot is affected by a deformity.
Conditions treated in podiatry surgery include issues caused by bunions, arthritis, toe deformities and inflammation of your foot tissues.
Reasons to see a podiatric surgeon
There are many reasons to see a podiatric surgeon. The most common reason is for foot pain such as a sharp pain in your heel, pain or difficulty putting your foot down or ongoing pain.
Other common concerns to see a podiatric surgeon include:
- Persistent foot or ankle joint pain
- Swollen feet or inflamed/tender foot joints
- Foot stiffness, redness, warmth
- Foot or ankle joint deformity
- Loss of range of motion or flexibility in your foot
- Skin changes on your foot including colour, dryness and temperature
- Changes in your foot structure, such as a higher arch.
What conditions can podiatrists treat?
There are a number of foot conditions that podiatrists can treat and may require podiatric surgery. These include:
- Damaged or torn tendons
- Ankle sprains and fractures
- Bunions
- Ingrown toenails
- Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of connective tissue)
- Verrucae
- Metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of your foot)
- Flat feet
- Hammer, mallet, and claw toes
- Foot arthritis
- Morton’s neuroma (tissue thickening around a nerve)
What are the common surgical treatment options a podiatric surgeon would perform?
Podiatric surgeons may recommend surgery to treat foot and ankle conditions when pain or mobility issues don’t improve with conservative care.
The most common surgical procedures performed by podiatric surgeons include:
- Bunion (Hallux Valgus) surgery - realigns the bones in your big toe, reduces the bony bump, and improves joint function to relieve pain and restore alignment.
- Hammertoe correction - straightens toes that have become bent or rigid due to muscle imbalance or arthritis by releasing tight tendons, repositioning joints, or removing small pieces of bone to restore comfort and function.
- Neuroma excision (Morton’s Neuroma) - removes a thickened, painful nerve between the toes to relieve burning, tingling, or shooting pain in the forefoot.
- Heel pain and plantar fasciitis surgery - releases the plantar fascia or removes bone spurs to reduce tension and inflammation for severe persistent heel pain.
- Arthritis and joint reconstruction - such as joint debridement, fusion (arthrodesis), or replacement to reduce pain and improve stability in arthritic foot and ankle joints.
- Tendon repair and reconstruction – repairs or reconstructs damaged or torn tendons, such as the Achilles or posterior tibial tendon, to restore strength and mobility.
- Ankle arthroscopy – a minimally invasive procedure using a small camera and instruments to diagnose and treat ankle problems such as cartilage damage, impingement, or loose bodies.
- Foot and ankle fracture surgery – stabilises complex fractures with plates, screws, or pins to ensure proper healing and alignment.
- Ingrown toenail surgery - removes part of your nail and prevents regrowth into your skin for recurring or severe ingrown toenails.
- Flatfoot reconstruction - corrects painful flatfoot by repairing tendons, realigning bones, or fusing joints to restore arch support and function.
What are the common non-surgical treatment options a podiatric surgeon would perform?
In many cases, conservative non-surgical treatments are the first step in relieving pain, improving mobility, and preventing further injury.
Common non-surgical treatments a podiatric surgeon would perform or oversee include:
- Custom orthotics and footwear advice - improve foot mechanics, reduce pressure, and help improve comfort and prevent symptoms from worsening.
- Medication and targeted injections - such as corticosteroids help to reduce pain, swelling, and irritation in joints, tendons, or soft tissues.
- Strapping, padding, and offloading techniques - redistribute pressure, protect painful areas, and support healing for common forefoot and heel conditions such as plantar fasciitis, neuromas, and forefoot pain.
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation - your podiatrist can assess and recommend physiotherapy to improve strength, flexibility, and balance, helping manage chronic issues and prevent recurrence.
- Shockwave therapy - sound waves stimulate healing in conditions like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy.
- Wound care and diabetic foot management - helps manage wounds, prevent infection, and protect long term foot health in patients with diabetes or circulation issues.
- Nail and skin treatments - managing ingrown toenails, fungal infections, corns, calluses, and skin issues that cause discomfort or limit mobility.
- Activity modification and lifestyle guidance - may recommend changes to daily activities, training routines, or workplace habits to reduce strain and support recovery.
How do podiatric surgeons diagnose foot problems?
Podiatric surgeons use a combination of test to diagnose foot problems including:
- Medical history - they will ask about your symptoms, past injuries, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors to understand what may be contributing to the problem.
- Physical examination - including checking alignment, joint movement, muscle strength, areas of tenderness, and how you walk and stand.
- Imaging tests – they may request X rays, ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans to confirm a diagnosis or plan treatment.
- Biomechanical assessment - gait analysis or pressure mapping can help to identify issues with foot mechanics or loading patterns.
- Laboratory tests - may be used to investigate infection, inflammation, or systemic conditions.
What is the recovery process after podiatric surgery?
The recovery process after a podiatric surgery will depend on your foot condition, its severity and the recommended treatment.
For example, if you have bunion surgery your recovery may be longer than surgery for an ingrown toenail.
Bunion surgery recovery can involve initially staying off your feet as much as possible for at least two weeks, staying off work and not driving for six to 12 weeks and avoiding sports for up to six months.
Ingrown toenail surgery takes four to six weeks to heal if part of your nail is removed and 10 to 12 weeks if your whole nail is removed. However, you’ll be able to walk and get back to your usual activities during this time whilst avoiding swimming and sporting activities that may injure your operated toe.
Is foot surgery a major surgery?
Foot surgery can be minor or major, depending on the procedure.
Minor surgery includes small procedures with quick recovery, such as:
- Ingrown toenail removal
- Simple hammertoe correction
- Small soft tissue procedures
Major Surgery is more complex operations involving bones, joints, or reconstruction, such as:
- Bunion correction
- Flatfoot reconstruction
- Achilles tendon repair
- Fracture fixation
Your podiatric surgeon will explain whether your recommended foot surgery is major or minor surgery and what to expect in recovery.
How much does podiatric surgery cost?
The costs of podiatric surgery varies from patient to patient. The cost depends on your foot condition, whether investigative tests are required, the best way to manage and treat your foot issue, and your chosen Ramsay hospital.
You will be advised of your appointment costs when you book your podiatry consultation. Any further costs for appointments, diagnostic tests and non-surgical or surgical treatment will be discussed and confirmed following your consultation.
Podiatric surgery costs are usually covered by private medical insurance. We advise you to check with your insurance provider for their written confirmation before your appointment and when you have your treatment plan costs.
If you are paying for yourself, we offer a variety of payment options including finance options.
Podiatric Surgery at Ramsay Health Care
Podiatric surgery at Ramsay Health Care offers you fast and convenient appointments with one of our expert podiatric surgeons.
With extensive training in foot surgery and a qualification in podiatric surgical practice, our podiatric surgeons diagnose and treat the whole spectrum of foot and ankle conditions. Some of our podiatrists specialise in specific areas of work such as diabetes, rheumatology, and sports injuries.
Your podiatric surgeon will discuss with you the best treatment for your foot problem. If they recommend surgery, they will talk to you about what it involves and how you can prepare for it, whilst also answering any questions you have. They work closely with the physiotherapy team who will offer their full support.
Our podiatric surgeons use the latest treatments and technology. Procedures are typically carried out on a day case basis so you can recover comfortably at home.
