Foot and Ankle Surgery

Orthopedic foot and ankle surgery and care

A Scripps foot and ankle physician reviewing a foot and ankle X-ray.

Bahram Moghadam, DPM, Podiatric Medicine, Scripps Clinic 

Orthopedic foot and ankle surgery and care

With a commitment to medical excellence and the highest quality outcomes, Scripps orthopedic doctors provide advanced care for injuries and conditions that affect the foot and ankle.

Orthopedic foot and ankle conditions and injuries

U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Scripps as one of the nation's best hospitals for orthopedics and orthopedic surgery. The orthopedic surgeons at Scripps are nationally ranked for the care they provide to diagnose and treat conditions of joints and bones, including the foot and ankle. Our orthopedic surgeons see a wide variety of conditions and injuries.

Common foot and ankle injuries and conditions treated by Scripps orthopedic doctors include:


  • Achilles tendon tears — happen on the sports playing field or during other physical activities. This type of tear involves rupturing the large tendon that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone.
  • Congenital foot and ankle conditions — appear in some individuals who were born with a deformity of their foot or ankle.
  • Dislocations — when two bones that form a joint completely come apart.
  • Fractures of the bones — such as the talus bone (ankle) or metatarsals in the foot can be caused by trauma injuries, or stress fractures, due to overuse or overtraining.
  • Heel spurs — are associated with plantar fasciitis and appear on the back of the heel bone (calcaneus).
  • Metatarsalgia — characterized by pain in the ball of the foot and may be an indication of a torn ligament between the foot’s arch and toes.
  • Peroneal tendinosis — when tendons that run along the outside of the ankle become thickened, swollen and painful due to overuse.
  • Posterior tibial tendon tears — when the tendon connecting the calf muscle to bones on the inside of the foot is torn.
  • Sesamoiditis of the foot — an inflammation of tiny bones in the front of the foot that produces pain under the big toe and is considered a form of tendonitis.
  • Tendinitis — a painful inflammation that can affect tendons in the feet and ankles, including the Achilles tendon.
  • Turf toe — when the main joint of the big toe is sprained due to hyperextension and is commonly found in athletes like football players who compete on artificial surfaces.

Orthopedic foot and ankle treatments

Our physicians and surgeons are nationally recognized experts in the field.

Scripps offers many types of foot and ankle treatment options for different conditions, injuries and activity levels. We offer both surgical and non-surgical treatment options.


  • Nonsurgical methods, including physical rehabilitation, anti-inflammatory therapies and use of orthotics
  • Foot and ankle conditioning programs designed to strengthen muscles, stabilize joints and prevent future injury
  • Repair and reconstruction of tendon tears, including the Achilles tendon of the ankle
  • Complex surgical procedures for fractures of the foot and ankle, such as ankle reconstruction or replacement surgery
  • Reconstructive plastic surgery

Scripps offers sports therapy and physical therapy in San Diego with facilities in North County, South Bay, Central San Diego and La Jolla. Sports therapy services are provided at more than half a dozen locations by a team of experts using the latest techniques and technologies to help patients regain strength and mobility to get back in the game.

Podiatrist vs orthopedic surgeon for foot surgery

In addition to orthopedic doctors specializing in medical treatment of the foot and ankle, Scripps also offers you access to podiatrists, who provide orthopedic care plus additional services.


The differences between a podiatrist and an orthopedic specialist who treats conditions of the foot and ankle can be summed up this way:


  • Orthopedic doctors are trained and capable of providing medical and surgical care for joints and soft tissues of the entire body, but typically specialize in a specific area or bone structure.
  • Podiatrists (doctors of podiatric medicine) are trained in orthopedic care of the foot and ankle with additional education and expertise in dermatology and biomechanics of the body’s lower extremities.

Foot and ankle surgery locations

Scripps Health offers foot and ankle surgery and follow-up care at the following locations in San Diego County:


Support services and resources

As leaders in orthopedic care, we know what it takes to keep joints healthy. That’s why we equip our patients with support services and resources to help them achieve their best possible outcome. From connecting you with rehab services to empowering you with educational resources, Scripps offers a comprehensive lineup to help you along every step of your journey.

We are here for you — not only as your orthopedic surgeons, but as a team of experts who understands that your joint health is about much more than your medical treatment. Specifically, Scripps offers a variety of patient support services to ensure your physical and emotional well-being, as well as resources for dealing with the logistical aspects of your care.


Our services include:



For more offerings, please visit our patient resources section.

Patient education is an important part of understanding your joint condition and treatment plan. To stay informed, we encourage our orthopedic patients to:


  • Bookmark the Scripps glossary of orthopedic terms for easy referencing.
  • Watch the pre- and post-surgery videos your doctor recommends.
  • Consult your orthopedic team for educational materials and a list of trusted online sources beyond the Scripps site. 


Always check with your orthopedic surgeon first to ensure that you have the most accurate information for your particular medical condition or need.