“I recently had bunion surgery with Dr. Malik. He explained everything clearly, answered all my questions, and the entire process went smoothly.”
ADVANCED SURGICAL CARE · KNOXVILLE, TNFoot and Ankle Surgery
Foot and Ankle Surgery
in Knoxville, TN
Surgical expertise for bunions, fractures, arthritis, complex reconstruction, and more, with a treatment plan built around your condition and goals.
Diagnosis firstOptions explainedPlan individualized
WHEN IS FOOT OR ANKLE SURGERY CONSIDERED?Surgery as One Option
Surgery as One Option
Among Several
Surgery may be considered when pain, deformity, instability, injury, arthritis, wounds, or structural problems don't improve with conservative care, or when the condition itself requires surgical correction. Examples include:
- Ongoing pain despite non-surgical treatment
- Progressive deformity
- Severe bunions or hammertoes
- Foot or ankle fractures
- Chronic ankle instability
- Tendon injuries
- Advanced arthritis
- Charcot foot changes
- Diabetic wounds or limb preservation concerns
- Failed prior surgery or complex revision needs
- Conditions affecting walking, work, shoes, or daily function
GOOGLE REVIEWSTrusted Foot and Ankle
Trusted Foot and Ankle
Care in Knoxville
See what patients say about their experience at Knox Foot and Ankle.
4.7★★★★★172+ Google reviews
“Dr. Abshan Malik took excellent care of me and my family with exceptional expertise. We are truly blessed to have him serving Knoxville.”
“Dr. Malik and Ms. Melanie were fantastic. I was extremely anxious, but they made me feel so comfortable.”
Fellowship-Trained SurgeonAdvanced Foot and Ankle CareIndividual Treatment PlanningSame-Day Appointments May Be Available
FOOT AND ANKLE SURGICAL CARESpecialist-Led Foot and Ankle
Specialist-Led Foot and Ankle
Surgical Care
Abshan Malik, DPM, AACFAS
Fellowship-Trained Foot and Ankle Surgeon
He evaluates foot and ankle conditions that may require surgical care, including deformity, instability, fractures, tendon injuries, arthritis, diabetic and Charcot-related concerns, failed prior procedures, and complex reconstruction needs. He considers the diagnosis, imaging, symptoms, prior treatment, alignment, function, overall health, and patient goals before determining whether surgery is appropriate and which surgical approach may best fit the individual case.
CONDITIONS THAT MAY REQUIRE FOOT OR ANKLE SURGERYConditions We Evaluate
Conditions We Evaluate
for Surgical Care
Alignment and Deformity
- Bunions — progressive big toe joint deformity
- Hammertoes — curled or contracted toes
- Flatfoot Deformity — collapsed or weakened arch structure
- High Arch (Cavus Foot) Deformity — when appropriate
- Complex Deformities — affecting multiple parts of the foot or ankle
Joint, Tendon and Stability
- Foot and Ankle Arthritis — joint pain, stiffness, and damage
- Ankle Instability — recurring sprains or the ankle giving out
- Achilles Tendon Injuries — tears or chronic degeneration
- Tendon Tears — affecting foot or ankle function
- Bone Spurs — causing pain or impingement
Injury and Complex Care
- Foot and Ankle Fractures — from stress fractures to severe breaks
- Sports Injuries — not responding to conservative care
- Diabetic Foot Wounds — requiring surgical intervention
- Charcot Foot — bone and joint changes from neuropathy
- Neuromas or severe nail conditions — when appropriate
- Failed Prior Surgery — requiring revision
TYPES OF FOOT AND ANKLE SURGERY OFFEREDSurgical Services at
Surgical Services at
Knox Foot and Ankle
Each approach is selected according to the diagnosis, anatomy, health, and goals of the individual patient.
- Minimally invasive bunion surgery, when appropriate
- Hammertoe correction
- Forefoot reconstruction
- Flatfoot reconstruction
- Foot and ankle fracture repair
- Tendon repair and reconstruction
- Ankle arthroscopy
- Ankle ligament repair or reconstruction
- Achilles tendon repair
- Foot and ankle arthritis surgery
- Ankle fusion, when appropriate
- Total ankle replacement
- Charcot reconstruction
- Diabetic limb salvage surgery
- Revision foot and ankle surgery
- Complex foot and ankle reconstruction
MINIMALLY INVASIVE FOOT AND ANKLE SURGERYSmaller Incisions
Smaller Incisions
When Appropriate
For selected conditions, particularly certain bunion procedures, minimally invasive techniques may be available, using smaller incisions than traditional surgical approaches. Suitability depends on your diagnosis, deformity severity, bone alignment, joint health, medical history, and personal goals.
Common Forefoot
Surgical Care
Bunions are structural alignment problems at the big toe joint, not just a visible bump. Hammertoes can cause curled toes, corns, calluses, shoe pressure, and pain. Surgery for either condition may be considered when symptoms persist despite conservative care.
He evaluates the entire forefoot during your visit, including toe alignment, joint motion, shoe pressure, and related deformities, to build a surgical plan suited to your whole foot, not just the isolated problem area.
ANKLE SURGERY AND SPORTS INJURY SURGERYRestoring Stability
Restoring Stability
and Function
For ankle-related conditions, surgical care may address:
Chronic ankle instabilityRepeated ankle sprainsAnkle fracturesTendon injuriesAchilles tendon problemsCartilage or joint problemsAnkle arthroscopy, when appropriateLigament repair or reconstruction, when appropriate
The goal of ankle surgery is generally to restore stability, reduce pain, and support a safe return to activity where possible, though we can't promise an exact recovery timeline, since every patient's healing process is different.
FOOT AND ANKLE ARTHRITIS SURGERYAddressing Joint Pain
Addressing Joint Pain
and Damage
Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited motion in the foot and ankle. Conservative treatments may provide meaningful relief for many patients, but surgery may be considered for advanced arthritis or severe joint damage. Depending on the affected joint and the severity of the condition, options may include joint-sparing procedures, fusion, or joint replacement.
TOTAL ANKLE REPLACEMENTA Motion-Preserving Option
A Motion-Preserving Option
for Selected Patients
Total ankle replacement may be an option for selected patients with advanced ankle arthritis. It's designed to replace the damaged ankle joint while preserving motion when appropriate, offering an alternative to ankle fusion for the right candidate.
Not every patient is a candidate for total ankle replacement. Evaluation includes a review of imaging, joint alignment, bone quality, activity level, deformity, medical history, and overall health. He can discuss whether ankle replacement or another surgical option may be the right fit for your specific condition.
ImagingAlignmentBone qualityOverall health
CHARCOT RECONSTRUCTION AND DIABETIC LIMB SALVAGESpecialized Care for
Specialized Care for
Complex Diabetic Foot Conditions
Diabetes and neuropathy can lead to wounds, deformity, infection risk, and Charcot foot changes over time. Limb preservation in these cases requires careful evaluation and planning. Treatment may involve offloading, wound care, bracing, infection monitoring, reconstruction, or surgery when appropriate.
He has advanced training and experience with diabetic limb salvage and Charcot reconstruction, bringing focused expertise to these serious and complex cases. We're not able to guarantee limb salvage or healing outcomes, but every effort is made to provide careful, experienced management of these conditions.
Learn More About Diabetic Foot Care →
COMPLEX CAREWounds · Neuropathy · Deformity · Reconstruction
COMPLEX FOOT AND ANKLE RECONSTRUCTIONAdvanced Reconstruction
Advanced Reconstruction
for Difficult Cases
Some patients require more complex reconstructive surgery, including care for:
Structural Deformity
Severe deformity
Flatfoot or high arch deformity
Revision Care
Revision surgery
Failed prior procedures
Joint and Trauma
Post-traumatic problems
Arthritis-related deformity
Complex Reconstruction
Diabetic or Charcot-related deformity
Multi-structure foot and ankle problems
NO STANDARD APPROACH
Complex reconstruction requires careful diagnosis, detailed imaging, thoughtful planning, and patient-specific decision-making, there's no standard approach that fits every case.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A SURGICAL CONSULTATIONA Clear, Thorough
A Clear, Thorough
Conversation
Your surgical consultation will typically include:
PHASE 01Understand
- 01Listen
Review of your symptoms and medical history
- 02History
Discussion of prior treatments you've tried
- 03Examine
A physical exam
PHASE 02Define
- 04Assess
Gait, alignment, and structural evaluation
- 05Review
Imaging review or X-rays, when appropriate
- 06Explain
A clear explanation of your diagnosis
PHASE 03Decide Together
- 07Compare
Discussion of conservative and surgical options
- 08Inform
Review of benefits, risks, alternatives, and expectations
- 09Plan
A personalized treatment plan
PREPARING FOR FOOT OR ANKLE SURGERYGetting Ready
Getting Ready
for Your Procedure
If surgery is recommended, preparation typically involves:
- Medical history review
- Medication discussion
- Imaging and preoperative planning
- Diabetes or wound risk considerations, if applicable
- Smoking or tobacco use discussion, if relevant
- Transportation planning
- Home support planning
- Work and activity expectations
- Postoperative shoe, boot, splint, or mobility device planning, when appropriate
RECOVERY AND AFTERCAREWhat Recovery
What Recovery
Generally Involves
Recovery from foot or ankle surgery depends on the specific procedure, the severity of your condition, your overall health, and your treatment goals. In general:
- Recovery varies from patient to patient
- Some procedures require protected weight-bearing or immobilization
- Follow-up visits help monitor healing
- Physical therapy may be recommended in some cases
- Swelling and stiffness can vary
- He provides clear aftercare instructions based on your specific procedure
SURGICAL RISKS AND HONEST PATIENT EDUCATIONTransparency
Transparency
About Risk
Every surgery carries potential risks. Depending on the procedure, these may include:
OUR APPROACHPatient safety, thorough planning, and informed decision-making are central to how we approach every surgical case.
RISKS DISCUSSED CLEARLYThese risks are reviewed in detail during your consultation.
- HealingInfection · Swelling · Delayed healing
- Motion and SensationStiffness · Nerve irritation
- Ongoing CareContinued pain · Need for additional treatment
- Procedure-SpecificHardware-related concerns, when applicable
- Overall HealthMedical risks depending on your overall health
CLEAR ANSWERS · INDIVIDUAL PLANNINGReady to Discuss Your
Ready to Discuss Your
Surgical Options?
Same-day appointments may be available.
Knox Foot and Ankle · 2725 Asbury Rd, Suite 101, Knoxville, TN 37914 · (865) 329-3338FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSFAQ's About Foot and Ankle Surgery
FAQ's About Foot and Ankle Surgery
in Knoxville, TN
A little more about foot and ankle surgery at Knox Foot and Ankle.
When should I consider foot or ankle surgery?
Surgery may be considered when pain, deformity, instability, or injury doesn't improve with conservative treatment, or when the condition requires structural correction.
Does Knox Foot and Ankle offer minimally invasive foot surgery?
Minimally invasive techniques may be available for selected conditions and patients. Suitability depends on diagnosis, alignment, joint health, medical history, and individual goals.
Is foot and ankle surgery always necessary?
No. Many foot and ankle conditions can be managed conservatively. Surgery is discussed only when it is genuinely appropriate for the individual condition.
What conditions can require foot or ankle surgery?
Conditions may include bunions, hammertoes, fractures, chronic ankle instability, advanced arthritis, Charcot foot, and diabetic wounds, among others.
Does Dr. Malik perform bunion surgery?
Yes. Dr. Malik evaluates bunions and may recommend traditional or minimally invasive bunion surgery when appropriate for the individual patient.
Does Knox Foot and Ankle treat ankle arthritis?
Yes. We evaluate ankle arthritis and offer both conservative treatment and surgical options, including fusion or total ankle replacement when appropriate.
What is total ankle replacement?
Total ankle replacement is a procedure that replaces a damaged ankle joint, designed to preserve motion when appropriate for selected patients with advanced arthritis.
What is diabetic limb salvage surgery?
Diabetic limb salvage refers to surgical and reconstructive procedures aimed at preserving a limb affected by diabetes-related wounds, infection, or Charcot changes.
How long does recovery take after foot or ankle surgery?
Recovery time varies significantly depending on the procedure, your health, and the severity of your condition. Dr. Malik will discuss what to expect for your specific case during your consultation.
How do I schedule a foot and ankle surgery consultation in Knoxville?
You can call us at (865) 329-3338 or request an appointment online through our website.