The Australasian College of 

         Podiatric Surgeons

 

 

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Frequently Asked Questions about the ACPS and podiatric surgery

 

About Podiatric Surgery

 

 

Podiatric Surgery - a better future for your feet (6Mb) 

 

(A guide for patients)

 

  

What is Podiatric Surgery? 

(A guide for health professionals and Government Departments)

Podiatric surgery is a specialised area of podiatric practice. Podiatric surgeons in Australia are podiatrists who have undergone postgraduate training in podiatric medicine and surgery and successfully completed the requirements for Admission to the Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons (ACPS). Most podiatric surgeons have undertaken at least 10 years of training before they have qualified for membership as a Fellow with the ACPS.

Referral to podiatric surgeons is usually from podiatrists, or general or specialist medical practitioners. In keeping with the team approach to managed care, referring practitioners are kept informed of patient progress and are involved in total case management as appropriate.

Local and regional anaesthetics are given by podiatrists when required; accredited medical practitioners give other forms of anaesthetic. Peri-operative drugs are utilised as appropriate to the surgical procedure by the podiatric surgeon and as permitted by State regulation.

In Australia, podiatric surgery is most often performed in operating suites in private hospital settings, with full access to medical facilities including specialist medical services. Podiatric surgery is also performed in other locations including day surgery centres, private consulting rooms and public hospitals.

Procedures performed by podiatric surgeons include a wide range of soft tissue and osseous procedures, the full scope of which is determined by the relevant State or Territory legislation.

Some of the commonly performed procedures are:

• Correction of hammertoes and other digital deformities
• Ingrown toenail correction
• Hallux valgus / varus / limitus / rigidus correction
• Heel spur resection
• Plantar fasciectomy / fasciotomy
• Morton's neuroma / nerve entrapment excision
• Cyst, ganglion and tumour excision
• Removal of foreign bodies
• Exostectomy
• Ligament repair
• Tendon lengthening, repair and transfer
• Insertion and removal of internal fixation

There are many other medical conditions of the foot and ankle that can be successfully treated by podiatric surgery. For more information about podiatric surgery and podiatric surgeons you might like to take a closer look at our Internet Resources page.

Elective reconstructive foot and ankle surgery performed by a podiatric surgery team in an accredited private hospital operating theatre.

Specialist anaesthetists, theatre nurses and other support staff all contribute to the safe and efficient care of podiatric surgical cases in Australia.