The Best Foot and Ankle Surgeon in Adelaide 

How do you choose the one who is right for you?

When you need to choose a foot or ankle surgeon, it is important to select the best surgeon for you.

There are many ways to treat foot and ankle conditions, and new technologies are advancing rapidly. Whether you need an ankle arthroscopy, ankle stabilisation, foot reconstruction, or foot or ankle fusion, there are now many approaches and specialists to choose from.

Finding the best foot and ankle surgeon in Adelaide can be daunting.

Important considerations when choosing the best foot and ankle surgeon:

How your surgeon helps you make the decision for surgery

You should always feel confident in your surgeon. You should choose someone who explains your problem to you in a way you understand and has the expertise to manage your foot and ankle condition.  You should not feel like another ‘number’; every patient is unique, and your surgeon should take the time to provide tailored, specialised care for your foot or ankle condition. Dr Graff goes out of her way to ensure her patients feel safe and confident with her care. 

Outcomes of Surgery

Dr Graff performs some of the most difficult foot and ankle surgeries in Adelaide.  She pioneered correcting foot and ankle deformities using patient-specific CTs and 3D foot and ankle deformity software modelling. Using this approach, she has had amazing outcomes in patients with some of the most difficult deformities.  She has presented this technique at the Australian and New Zealand Limb Reconstruction Society with excellent feedback.  Patients who were previously told they needed an amputation now have the option of having their foot and or ankle deformity reconstructed.

Experience

The internet is a valuable resource when researching your condition and your surgeon.  Dr Graff is nationally and internationally recognised as a respected foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon.  She is one of the few doctors who has completed both the UK and Australian fellowship exams in orthopaedics and is dually qualified. She successfully completed Australian training in orthopaedic surgery and spent 3 years at the Royal London Hospital, training with internationally renowned orthopaedic surgeons. 

Details of her qualifications and experience can be found here: Read More

Transparency with Price and Financial Options

Not all surgeons charge the same amount for surgery. Dr. Graff aims to remain transparent and fair with all her costs. She provides informed financial consent for all patients prior to surgery, and her reception staff is trained to answer any questions you have regarding any out-of-pocket fees.

Location

Dr Graff is centrally located for consulting in her rooms at Parkside. She also consults and operates once a fortnight at Calvary Central Districts Hospital in Elizabeth. For patient convenience, both sites have ample parking, disabled parking, and X-ray facilities.

She has hospital accreditation for orthopaedic surgery at:

• Calvary Central Districts Hospital
• Calvary North Adelaide Hospital
• Memorial Hospital
• St Andrews Hospital

Dr Graff is the sole Foot and Ankle surgeon for the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network and consults and operates in public at the Lyell McEwen and Modbury Hospitals.

Communication

Timely and clear communication from the surgeon or the surgeon’s team is important for patient care.  Dr Graff and her team prioritise efficient communication for all patients and go out of their way to be contactable and helpful.

 

How do I find the best foot and ankle surgeon?

Google Reviews

The internet now provides enormous information regarding surgeons' choices for your foot or ankle problem. More and more patients share their experiences on platforms like Google Reviews.  Not all reviews on Google are helpful, but they can give an overview of past patient satisfaction. To find these reviews, do a Google search using your surgeon’s name and click ‘Reviews’ or ‘Google reviews’. For example: Dr Christy Graff

Internet search

The internet is also a valuable resource for researching the best foot and ankle surgeon for you.  You can research your condition, as well as treatment options.  You can also research a surgeon’s experience and subspecialty focus. Trusting that your surgeon has the experience, current training, and expertise to help with your specific foot and ankle problem is important.

Details of Dr Graff’s qualifications and experience can be found here: Read More

General Practitioner

Another excellent source of advice would be your general practitioner (GP). They can refer you to the foot and ankle surgeon they think is right for you.  Your GP is familiar with your medical history and may have several patients with firsthand experience with specific surgeons and hospitals.  They may also ask you who you feel is the best foot and ankle surgeon is for you, and can refer you accordingly.

Podiatrists

Podiatrists can often treat foot and ankle conditions without surgery.  However, if things are not improving, they can be a good resource for recommending the best foot and ankle surgeon for you.

Other Patients

Patients who have had previous foot and ankle surgery can give a perspective of not only the surgeon and his or her ability but also the communication, individualised care, and postoperative follow-up. 

How to choose the best foot and ankle surgeon checklist:

• Expertise and training in the foot and ankle condition you have
• Clear explanation of your condition and treatment options
• You feel comfortable asking any questions about your treatment, and you feel listened to with an individualised treatment plan
• Timely and efficient communication from the surgeon and their staff
• Affordable and transparent regarding fees
• Convenient location for your appointment and your hospital stay
• Access to your foot and ankle surgeon and their team for post-operative care, questions, or concerns