Foot and ankle

The foot and ankle team manages a wide variety of conditions, some of which benefit from surgery. 

Examples of surgery include: 

• Correction of hallux valgus (bunions)
• Ankle replacements or ankle fusions for arthritis
• Fixation of unstable fractures of the foot and ankle
• Tendon repairs or reconstructions – such as for ruptured achilles tendon
• Correction of severe foot deformities – such as painful flat foot
• Arthroscopy (key-hole surgery) of the ankle or hindfoot

We aim to undertake most surgery as a day case procedure. Some procedures might require an overnight stay in hospital.

Many procedures can be performed under regional or spinal anaesthetic, where you are awake but sedated. Some patients need a full general anaesthetic.

Most foot surgery will involve a period of rest and elevation for a few weeks after the operation. Some patients might need to wear a plaster cast or an orthopaedic boot for weeks or months after the surgery. Options such as crutches or frames will be explored. Other equipment, such as knee scooters can be hired to help your recovery.

Prior to any surgery all the risks and benefits of surgery would be explained to you – and also alternatives that do not include surgery. The peri-operative surgery team will help to prepare you for surgery and the post-operative period.

You can contact the department via the main Wonford Hospital switchboard on 01392 411611

You can also contact our consultants' secretaries:

• Mr Sharpe & Mr Hughes’ secretary - 01392 403580
• Mr Talbot’s secretary - 01392 403598
• Mr Reeve’s secretary - 01392 403507

RD&E Wonford, Barrack Rd, Exeter EX2 5DW

The foot and ankle outpatient service is based at the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre (PEOC).

We undertake the majority of our day case procedures at Tiverton Hospital Day Case Unit, and our inpatient operations in the PEOC.

All our referral and follow-up clinics are currently held at the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre outpatient department and fracture clinic.

We operate locally at Tiverton and District Hospital, performing a full range of forefoot surgery and ankle arthroscopy.

Mr Ian Sharpe is the team clinical lead and has many years of treating foot and ankle conditions. He has a keen interest in primary and revision ankle replacement surgery and is a prominent surgeon nationally in this field also leading an international fellowship program to teach up and coming foot and ankle surgeons modern treatments in this specialised surgery.

Mr Nick Talbot is also a highly-experienced foot and ankle surgeon with comprehensive knowledge of foot and ankle conditions particularly sports injuries, and complex foot deformity correction.

Mr Adrian Hughes an established foot and ankle surgeon who is our current clinical lead for trauma. He is experienced in treating all aspects of adult foot and ankle conditions, including the use of external frames in the management of complex deformity, trauma and infection in both adults and children.

Mr Will Reeve is a consultant surgeon capable of managing a variety of problems associated with your foot and ankle as well as general orthopaedic trauma. A background of fellowship training in Australia supports an interest in soft tissue reconstruction and soft tissue injuries around the foot and ankle.

Mr Andrew Spicer is our team’s surgical care practitioner with a wealth of experience in foot and ankle surgery and will help to manage your care around the time of your surgery as well as addressing any problems you may encounter.

Our team also includes a ‘fellow’ who is an orthopaedic surgeon who has completed their training in orthopaedics and is refining their foot and ankle practice with our team as well as a trainee surgical registrar from the South West Peninsula orthopaedic surgical training program.

We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital. 

We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.

Find out more

• Diabetic foot referral via email or phone to the Macleod Diabetes and Endocrine Centre (RD&E Wonford)