Advanced Foot & Ankle Surgery and Reconstruction in Memphis & the Mid-South
Fellowship-trained orthopedic and podiatric specialists delivering 3D bunion correction, motion-preserving ankle replacement, and regenerative heel pain therapies.
Common Foot & Ankle Conditions
At OrthoSouth, our foot and ankle specialists are here to help you get back on your feet — literally. Whether you're dealing with a recent injury, a nagging ache that won't go away, or a foot condition that's gradually gotten worse, our team can help you figure out what's going on and find the right path forward.
We're one of the few practices in the Memphis area where you'll find both orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons and a podiatrist working together under one roof. That means however your condition is best treated — whether it calls for physical therapy, bracing, a simple in-office procedure, or surgery — you're already seeing the right kind of specialist, without being bounced between practices to find one.
Our foot and ankle surgeons have completed five years of orthopedic surgical residency training plus additional fellowship training specific to the foot and ankle. Our podiatrist brings focused, dedicated training in foot and ankle care. Together, with state-of-the-art imaging on-site, they treat the full range of foot and ankle problems — from sports injuries and fractures to bunions, arthritis, and chronic heel pain — for patients across Memphis and the Mid-South.
Ankle Conditions
Ankle Conditions
Injuries to the talus, tibia or fibula and soft tissue surrounding these bones.
Ankle Conditions
Fractures
Fractures
Fractures of the tibia, fibula and other foot bones.
Fractures
Hindfoot Conditions
Hindfoot Conditions
Pains that occur in the rear 1/3 of the foot and heel.
Hindfoot Conditions
Midfoot Conditions
Midfoot Conditions
Pains that occur in the middle of the foot to the base of the toes.
Midfoot Conditions
Forefoot Conditions
Forefoot Conditions
Pains in the top of the foot to the tips of the toes.
Forefoot Conditions
Systemic Issues Affecting the Foot
Systemic Issues Affecting the Foot
Pains in the foot caused by other conditions such as diabetes, gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
System Conditions
Most Common Foot & Ankle Services
Comprehensive Plantar Fasciitis Relief & Chronic Heel Pain Care
Sharp, stabbing heel pain during your first morning steps is the hallmark of plantar fasciitis (chronic inflammation or micro-tearing of the thick fascial band supporting the arch). When resting and basic stretches fail to resolve symptoms, prolonged inflammation can lead to heel spurs, gait compensation, and secondary knee or hip strain.
OrthoSouth provides advanced, non-surgical and regenerative plantar fasciitis treatment in Memphis and Germantown:
- Conservative & In-Office Therapies: Custom-molded orthotics tailored by on-site physical therapists, night splints, and ultrasound-guided anti-inflammatory injections.
- Advanced Regenerative Interventions: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to stimulate cellular repair in chronic, recalcitrant plantar fasciosis.
- Minimally Invasive Debridement: For rare chronic cases unresponsive to conservative care, micro-resection or endoscopic gastrocnemius recession releases tension and restores pain-free mobility without extensive downtime.
Advanced Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery & Anatomical Realignment
A bunion (hallux valgus) is not merely an isolated bump on the side of the big toe; it is a complex, three-dimensional joint misalignment originating from instability deeper within the foot. Traditional open bunion procedures that only shave the prominent bone can see recurrence rates as high as 30% to 50%.
For appropriate candidates, OrthoSouth's foot and ankle surgeons can employ modern minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and multi-planar realignment techniques:
- Anatomical Foundation Correction: Rather than shaving surface bone, the surgeon realigns and stabilizes the deviated metatarsal bone at its anatomical root, restoring natural foot mechanics and substantially lowering recurrence risk.
- Keyhole Minimally Invasive Techniques: Utilizing micro-incisions and specialized low-speed burrs under real-time fluoroscopic guidance, the surgeon corrects the deformity while preserving overlying skin, tendons, and critical blood supply.
- Accelerated Weight-Bearing & Recovery: Rigid internal fixation allows most patients to bear weight in a specialized protective post-op boot far earlier than traditional casting methods, resulting in reduced postoperative swelling, minimal cosmetic scarring, and a faster transition back into standard footwear.
Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) & Complex Joint Reconstruction
Severe end-stage ankle arthritis, the type often resulting from historic sports injuries, recurrent severe sprains, or trauma, drastically limits walking tolerance and lifestyle independence. While traditional ankle arthrodesis (fusion) eliminates pain by permanently welding bones together, it eliminates vertical motion and accelerates arthritis in neighboring foot joints.
OrthoSouth offers total ankle replacement in Memphis and the Mid-South as a proven, motion-preserving alternative:
- Preserving Natural Gait Kinematics: Modern biocompatible implants replicate natural joint gliding, allowing you to walk with a smoother, symmetrical stride and step up and down inclines naturally.
- Protecting Adjacent Joints: By absorbing natural walking forces, ankle arthroplasty shields the subtalar and midfoot joints from compensatory wear and tear.
- Patient-Specific Instrumentation: Advanced pre-operative CT scans and computerized guides map implant positioning to your precise bone contours for optimal biomechanical longevity.
Not sure if you need to see a specialist?
It's not always obvious when foot or ankle pain is worth getting checked out. Here are a few signs it's time to come in:
- Pain that hasn't improved after a week or two of rest, ice, or over-the-counter pain relief
- Swelling, bruising, or a feeling of instability after a twist, fall, or impact
- Trouble putting weight on your foot or walking normally
- A bunion, hammertoe, or other change in shape that's becoming painful or making shoes hard to wear
- Heel pain that's worse first thing in the morning or after sitting for a while
- Numbness, tingling, or color changes in your foot, especially if you have diabetes
If any of this sounds familiar, it's worth scheduling a visit. Most foot and ankle problems are easier — and faster — to treat the earlier they're caught.
These OrthoSouth Doctors Are Here to Help Get You Back on Your Feet
Our foot and ankle surgeons and podiatrist together see a full range of injuries and foot/ankle conditions. To see our full list of board-certified orthopedic specialists, view our provider page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q What's the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon?
Both are trained to treat foot and ankle conditions, but their backgrounds differ. A podiatrist completes podiatric medical school and residency focused specifically on the foot and ankle. An orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon completes medical school, a full orthopedic surgery residency, and additional fellowship training in the foot and ankle. At OrthoSouth, we have both on our team, so you're matched with the specialist who's the best fit for your specific condition.
Q Do I need a referral to see a foot and ankle specialist at OrthoSouth?
OrthoSouth does not require a referral to our specialists; however, please check with your insurance company for any referral requirements on their end. You can schedule directly with one of our foot and ankle specialists.
Q Will I need surgery for my foot or ankle problem?
Not necessarily. Most foot and ankle conditions are treated conservatively first — with options like bracing, physical therapy, or injections — before surgery is ever discussed. Our specialists will walk you through every option and recommend surgery only when it's truly the best path forward.
Q Do you treat sports-related foot and ankle injuries?
Yes. We regularly treat ankle sprains, stress fractures, turf toe, and Achilles tendon injuries, and can help you get back to your sport or activity safely.
Q Where can I see a foot and ankle specialist near me?
OrthoSouth has foot and ankle care available across Memphis and the Mid-South. Visit our Locations page to find your most convenient OrthoSouth location.
Q Can plantar fasciitis be resolved without surgery?
Yes. More than 90% of plantar fasciitis cases resolve through conservative treatment, including custom orthotics, targeted calf and plantar fascia stretching, night splinting, and physical therapy. Regenerative therapies like shockwave or PRP are considered before surgical options.
Q How soon can I walk after minimally invasive bunion surgery in Memphis?
Because modern minimally invasive techniques utilize tiny keyhole incisions and stable internal fixation rather than large open exposures, soft-tissue trauma is significantly reduced. Most patients are cleared to bear weight immediately or within days following surgery using a protective walking boot.
Q What is the advantage of total ankle replacement over ankle fusion?
Ankle fusion relieves pain by eliminating all joint movement, which often transfers excessive stress to neighboring foot joints. Total ankle replacement preserves natural ankle bending and extension, enabling a more natural gait and protecting adjacent joints from secondary arthritis.
Q Do I need a doctor's referral to see an OrthoSouth foot and ankle specialist?
Most commercial health plans do not require a referral to schedule an appointment. Patients suffering from acute ankle sprains, Achilles tendon ruptures, or fractures can also walk into any of our weekday orthopedic urgent care clinics without an appointment.
