Foot and Ankle

The foot and ankle surgical clinics are for patients who have conditions that require the last resort surgical treatment.  It means they have failed conservative treatment such as physiotherapy, podiatry, medications and injection.

Role of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons

Surgeons provide expertise in diagnosis and management of simple and complex conditions and can offer an expert opinion and advice on conservative options as well as X-ray guided injections and surgery.

Initial opinions and non-surgical treatments such as insoles, appliances and physiotherapy are available from podiatrists, orthotists and physiotherapists.

Patients who have surgery should expect several months of rehabilitation depending on the type of surgery.

Surgery is not the first-line treatment for many conditions but those with hind-foot pain and large joint pathology who have significant pain and disability are often best managed by a foot and ankle surgeon.

Imaging - Please include an up to date X ray with weight bearing views report within or attached to the referral.  This includes for soft tissue injuries to exclude underlying pathology.  .

Referrals without up to date reports included and Xrays that are not weight bearing will be returned, unless there are mitigating circumstances why this is not possible

For ankle pathology– AP ankle and lateral ankle and foot

For Foot pathology – AP, lateral & oblique foot

The Cornwall & IoS Diabetic foot check and referral pathway can be found here

Date reviewed                     8/2/2022

Next review due                  8/2/2023

Sifter name                          Dr Rebecca Hopkins

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