Foot & Ankle

Achilles Tendon Repair (Minimally Invasive)

Achilles tendon rupture generally occurs with sudden forceful push-off and commonly during sports. It results in complete tearing of the tendon with some retraction of the tendon ends. Optimal treatment for this common injury has been extensively studied, yet it still remains somewhat controversial. What we do know, is that with appropriate treatment the tendon will heal without or with surgery. The main benefit of surgery is a reduced risk of re-rupture and probably greater push-off strength. Most athletically active patients choose to have surgical repair.

Achilles Tendon Repair (Minimally Invasive)

Achilles Insertional Debridement & Repair

Achilles tendon problems at the back of the heel (insertion) are usually degenerative in nature and result in pain and a bony prominence. The medical term is ‘insertional achilles tendinopathy’. The first line therapy includes physiotherapy, accommodative footwear (heel raise, soft counter) and judicious use of anti-inflammatory medication and corticosteroid injections. If non-operative treatment fails, surgery can be helpful. The most commonly used procedure is debridement of the tendon, resection of the prominent bone and repair of the tendon.

Achilles Insertional Debridement & Repair

Ankle Arthroscopy

Ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which an arthroscope, a small, soft, flexible tube with a light and video camera at the end, is inserted into the ankle joint to evaluate and treat a variety of conditions.

Ankle Arthroscopy

Ankle Arthrodesis/Fusion

Ankle arthritis is degeneration and eventual loss of the cartilage lining of the ankle joint. It leads to pain, swelling and stiffness  (restricted movement) of the joint. It is commonly due to cartilage injury (trauma), but it can have other causes. Initial treatment is aimed at lessening the symptoms with conservative treatments. If these measures fail to control your symptoms, surgery is indicated. Ankle arthrodesis is an effective way to control the pain due to ankle arthritis. It does eliminate movement in the ankle joint, but other joints around the ankle compensate and allow up to 30% of pre-existing ‘up-down’ and ‘side-side’ motion. Most patients walk with a minimal or imperceptible limp.

Ankle Arthrodesis/Fusion

Hallux Rigidus - Arthrodesis

Pain and swelling at the base of the big toe is frequently caused by osteoarthritis of the 1st (big toe) metatarso-phalangeal joint. It results in pain, spurs and progressive restriction of movement. The cause is unfortunately unknown in most cases. The treatment is aimed at relieving pain. If non-operative means such as anti-inflammatories, accommodative footwear or orthoses fail to control symptoms surgery may be indicated.

Hallux Rigidus - Arthrodesis

Hallux Rigidus - CARTIVA

Pain, swelling and stiffness at the base of the big toe is frequently caused by osteoarthritis of the 1st (big toe) metatarso-phalangeal joint. It results in pain, spurs and progressive restriction of movement. The cause is unfortunately unknown in most cases. The treatment is aimed at relieving pain. If non-operative means such as anti-inflammatories, accommodative footwear or orthoses fail to control symptoms surgery may be indicated. Synthetic interposition arthroplasty is a joint movement preserving option for managing big toe osteoarthritis. It is a relatively new procedure however it has promising medium-term results in clinical studies.

Hallux Rigidus - CARTIVA

Hallux Rigidus - Cheilectomy

Pain and swelling at the base of the big toe is frequently caused by osteoarthritis of the 1st (big toe) metatarso-phalangeal joint. It results in pain, spurs and progressive restriction of movement. The cause is unfortunately unknown in most cases. The treatment is aimed at relieving pain. If non-operative means such as anti-inflammatories, accommodative footwear or orthoses fail to control symptoms surgery may be indicated.

Hallux Rigidus – Cheilectomy

Hallux Rigidus - Osteotomy

Pain and swelling at the base of the big toe is frequently caused by osteoarthritis of the 1st (big toe) metatarso-phalangeal joint. It results in pain, spurs and progressive restriction of movement. The cause is unfortunately unknown in most cases. The treatment is aimed at relieving pain. If non-operative means such as anti-inflammatories, accommodative footwear or orthoses fail to control symptoms surgery may be indicated.

Hallux Rigidus – Osteotomy

Hallux Valgus - Scarf/Akin

A bunion is the prominence at the base of your big toe. Often the big toe deviates towards the lesser toes. It is caused by abnormal bone alignment, called Hallux Valgus. The time to consider surgery is when there is pain and/or difficulty fitting shoes and all other treatments have failed.

Hallux Valgus - Scarf/Akin

Metatarsal Shortening

Metatarsalgia is a term used to describe pain under the ball of the foot. It can be caused by overload of the metatarsal heads, and this can often be associated with a callosity under the ball of the foot. It can often be associated with a plantar plate tear, metatarsophalangeal instability and hammer-toe deformity. The conservative treatment of primary metatarsalgia includes offloading with orthoses (metatarsal bar or dome), regular shaving of the callus and appropriate footwear. If all conservative measures fail, surgery can be an option.

Metatarsal Shortening

Hammer Toe Correction

The terms claw and hammer toe are often used interchangeably. Although they are different conditions, the end deformity/appearance of the toe in both is similar with a prominent ‘knuckle’ which rubs on footwear and results in pain or a wound. Sometimes the tip of the toe is painful. The cause is thought to be an imbalance of the muscles/tendons that move the toes. The mainstay of treatment is appropriate footwear (wide, deep toe box) and protective splints (usually soft silicone). If these fail to control the symptoms, you may need surgery.

Hammer Toe Correction

Mortons Neuroma Resection

Mortons neuroma is a thickened/irritated inter-digital nerve often surrounded by an inflammed inter-metatarsal bursa. It results in forefoot pain which can radiate into the toes. The pain it produces can often be made better with simple treatments including wide and deep toe box shoes, avoiding aggravating footwear and occasionally an orthotic. An injection of cortisone can also be helpful. If simple treatments don’t help then surgery is an option.

Mortons Neuroma Resection

Subtalar Arthrodesis/Fusion

Subtalar joint arthritis is degeneration and eventual loss of the cartilage lining of the ankle joint. It leads to pain, swelling and stiffness (restricted movement) of the joint. It is commonly due to injury (such as calcaneal fracture), but it can have other causes. Initial treatment is aimed at lessening the symptoms with conservative treatments. If these measures fail to control your symptoms, surgery  is indicated. Ankle arthrodesis is an effective way to control the pain, but it does eliminate movement in the subtalar joint. Most patients do not have a limp, but getting used to the stiffened hindfoot can take some time, especially walking on uneven surfaces.

Subtalar Arthrodesis/Fusion

Total Ankle Replacement

Ankle arthritis is degeneration and eventual loss of the cartilage lining of the ankle joint. It leads to pain, swelling and stiffness (restricted movement) of the joint. It is commonly due to cartilage injury (trauma), but it can have other causes. Initial treatment is aimed at lessening the symptoms with activity modification (low impact), weight loss and even walking aids. Judicious use of anti-inflammatory medications, analgesics and orthoses can also be helpful. If these measures fail to control your symptoms, surgery is indicated. Ankle replacement is an effective way to control the pain due to ankle arthritis. It is an established procedure which is an alternative to an ankle fusion. It is not necessarily better for every patient and it does carry a higher risk of re-operation compared to ankle fusion.

Total Ankle Replacement

Dr Andrej Nikoloski, Knee, Foot & Ankle Surgeon, Western Australia
About Doctor
Andrej Nikoloski
Orthopaedic Surgeon
foot & Ankle Specialist

Dr. Andrej Nikoloski is an orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in Foot and Ankle surgery.

He has extensive experience and a special interest in the treatment of work-related and sports injuries of the foot and ankle.

  • Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
  • Fellow of the Australian Orthopaedic Association
  • Australian Medical Association
  • Royal North Shore Hospital
  • British Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society
  • American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society
  • Australian Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society