Foot & Ankle

Mission

The Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Service at Columbia Orthopaedics provides sub-specialty care. Nestled in the setting of the top-ranked hospital in New York, we collaborate with other specialists to take care of any problem. While most conditions can be successfully treated non-operatively, we believe a surgical approach is appropriate in some cases to avoid later complications.

The foot and ankle is a complex structure with 26 bones and 26 joints working in unison. When operating on the foot or ankle, the orthopaedic surgeon must consider the ramifications for all joints to ensure the foot remains straight and flexible. Surgery can be further complicated in that the foot has very limited soft tissue. A paucity of skin and fat increases the risk of complications with healing, including scarring and infection. Therefore, a very important goal of foot and ankle reconstructive surgery, whether it's primary or revision, is preserving soft tissue.

With 26 joints to consider, versus a single joint as in the hip or knee, the foot and ankle is a fascinating part of human anatomy. When all the joints are working well together, the foot and ankle play like a symphony. It is very rewarding for a doctor to be able to restore that kind of harmony.