Los Angeles has no shortage of foot and ankle surgeons. That abundance creates a false sense of security and makes selecting the right surgeon a potential minefield. More options do not always mean better outcomes, but they do mean more opportunities to make the wrong choice.
We have created this guide to help you choose the best surgeon for your needs. We will explain:
- Which credentials signal real expertise?
- What questions to ask at your first consultation?
- Why surgical technique innovation, including new metal-free approaches, may be the most important factor that most patients overlook?
In this guide, you’ll learn the difference between a podiatric surgeon and an orthopedic surgeon. We’ll also share what revision surgery patients know about surgeon selection that first-timers almost never do. And we’ll explain how to use a surgeon’s hardware philosophy as a concrete predictor of your recovery outcome.
Why choosing the wrong foot and ankle surgeon in Los Angeles can cost you years of recovery
Consider what happens when a bunion correction is performed without addressing the underlying cause of the deformity: the bunion returns. The patient undergoes surgery and spends months in recovery, only to find themselves back at square one. But now they have scar tissue, an altered bone structure, and a far more complex surgical challenge ahead.
Revision surgery rates for common foot procedures are higher than most patients realize, and the complexity of a revision case is far greater than the original.
Rachael H., one of our patients, needed bunion surgery, but it took years before she found the right surgeon. “When I met Dr. Bob, I felt 100 percent confident he was the right doctor to correct my bunion,” she told us. That confidence did not come from a Google search. It came from knowing what to look for, meeting with Dr. Bob in person, and asking the right questions.
With LA’s demanding physical lifestyles and traffic-heavy environment, a prolonged or failed recovery is not just a medical problem — it’s a life disruption. Whether you’re choosing the right surgeon for first-time surgery (or the right revision specialist if you’ve already had a procedure), it’s one of the most important healthcare decisions you can make.
Podiatrist vs. orthopedic surgeon vs. fellowship-trained foot and ankle specialist, which is right for you?
This question confuses patients the most. Both can perform foot and ankle surgery, but their training pathways are meaningfully different.
A podiatric surgeon completes a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree followed by a surgical residency focused exclusively on the foot and ankle. Board certification through the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) is the gold-standard credential to look for.
An orthopedic surgeon holds either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, completes a general orthopedic residency, and may then pursue a fellowship specifically in foot and ankle surgery through the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS).
The honest answer is that credential type matters less than depth of specialization. A fellowship-trained foot and ankle specialist, whether DPM or MD, who has spent their entire career operating exclusively on the foot and ankle, will almost always outperform a general orthopedic surgeon who treats the foot as one of many body parts.
So, it’s best to look for a surgeon whose practice is dedicated to the foot and ankle, not one who divides their time between hips, knees, and shoulders.
How do I know if a foot and ankle surgeon is board-certified?
For podiatric surgeons, you can verify ABFAS certification directly on the ABFAS website. For orthopedic surgeons, look for AOFAS membership and fellowship completion. Do not rely on a surgeon’s website alone — ensure you verify credentials independently. Board certification confirms that a surgeon has met defined training standards and passed rigorous examinations. It is a floor, not a ceiling, but a non-negotiable one.
What is the one question most patients never ask (but should) before foot or ankle surgery?
Most patients ask about recovery time or insurance-related questions. They rarely ask: “How many times have you performed this specific procedure, and what is your complication rate?”
Volume is one of the most reliable predictors of surgical outcome in published literature. An accomplished surgeon who has performed a procedure hundreds of times will have encountered and resolved complications that a less experienced surgeon has never come across.
The follow-up question is equally important: “Do you offer non-surgical alternatives, and how do you decide when surgery is necessary?”
A surgeon who defaults to the operating room without exhausting conservative options is not acting in your best interest. At our practice, we routinely explore regenerative options, including PRP therapy, before recommending anything more invasive.
Georgia P., who came to us with a chronic ankle injury, underwent two PRP procedures and reported minimal pain throughout. “It’s wonderful to find a doctor who is trustworthy,” she said.
A third question worth asking: “What surgical hardware will you use, and why?” Most patients have never considered how the type of implant used in their surgery can affect their recovery timeline, their risk of hardware-related complications, and whether they will need a second procedure to remove any metal. This is one reason many end up needing revision surgery.
How do you evaluate a surgeon’s innovation track record (and why it predicts your outcome)?
Innovation in surgical techniques is evidence that a surgeon actively engages with the latest research and development of new and emerging procedures. A surgeon willing to challenge established methods when better options exist and capable of solving problems that standard approaches cannot is best equipped to deliver the best results.
When evaluating a surgeon’s innovation track record, look for three things:
- Published research or peer-reviewed contributions
- Recognition by independent bodies (not self-reported awards)
- A record of pioneering or adopting techniques that have since become the standard of care
Dr. Bob Baravarian at DOCS Foot and Ankle is the first surgeon in the United States to use metal-free surgical hardware for foot and ankle procedures, which he also helped develop. This is a verifiable clinical milestone, not a marketing claim.
Dr. Baravarian has been named a Top Doctor by Los Angeles Magazine and a Top Surgeon in California. He has been featured in ABC News, the LA Times, the Guardian, and the Boston Globe. This signals that independent observers have evaluated his work and found it exceptional.
What revision surgery patients know about choosing a foot and ankle surgeon that first-timers don’t
Patients who have already undergone failed foot or ankle surgery approach their search for a second surgeon with a completely different mindset. They ask more questions, request more background information, look for specific evidence of outcomes, and prioritize revision and reconstructive expertise above all else.
Revision surgery is categorically more difficult than primary surgery. Scar tissue, altered anatomy, compromised bone stock, and the psychological weight of a failed surgery all compound the challenge. A surgeon who is excellent at primary bunion correction may lack the reconstructive skill set to handle a failed bunion repair. These are different disciplines, and the best revision surgeons will make this clear.
If you are in this position, ask any prospective surgeon these questions:
- What percentage of your caseload consists of revision or reconstructive surgery?
- Can you walk me through how you approach a case in which prior hardware or scarring complicates the anatomy?
A surgeon who regularly handles revision cases will provide specific answers. One who does not will offer vague reassurances. Learn to tell the difference.
Red flags to watch for when researching foot and ankle surgeons in Los Angeles
A surgeon who recommends surgery at the first consultation, without thoroughly reviewing imaging, medical history, and lifestyle factors, is probably moving too fast. Surgery should be the last resort in the diagnostic process, not the first choice.
Watch for surgeons who cannot clearly explain why they recommend a specific technique over alternatives. If you ask, “Why this approach and not that one?” and the response is vague or dismissive, that indicates a problem. The best surgeons can articulate their reasoning in plain language because they have genuinely thought it through for your specific anatomy.
Other red flags include:
- Excessive wait times (suggesting the practice is overextended)
- Difficulty getting direct answers about complication rates
- Limited outcome data for the specific procedure you need.
In a large metro market like Los Angeles, where practices range from boutique specialty clinics to high-volume mills, this information will help you decide whether the surgeon has the capacity to give your case the attention it deserves.
The metal-free technique difference: why surgical hardware choice is a legitimate selection criterion
Traditional foot and ankle surgery uses metal screws, plates, and pins to hold bones in position while they heal. Metal hardware works, but it comes with trade-offs. Metal can cause adverse reactions, create palpable hardware under the skin, trigger sensitivity in some patients, and often requires follow-up surgery for removal.
Metal-free surgery uses bio-integrated implants, specifically Ossiofiber hardware, made from a bio-composite material that gradually integrates with and becomes part of the bone. There is no metal to react to and no hardware to remove. The structural support provided during healing is equivalent to that provided by traditional metal surgical hardware. In our clinical experience, the result is faster recovery, less post-operative discomfort, and no second procedure for hardware removal.
Dr. Baravarian was one of the first surgeons in the United States to develop and systematically apply these techniques across the spectrum of foot and ankle procedures, including bunion correction, Achilles tendon repair, hammertoe correction, flat foot reconstruction, and heel spur surgery.
When evaluating any foot or ankle surgeon in Los Angeles, ask directly: “Do you offer metal-free implant options, and am I a candidate?” A surgeon who does not offer bio-integrated hardware is working with a narrower toolkit than the current state of the art allows.
How Dr. Bob Baravarian measures up against every criterion on this list
Applying this framework to any surgeon in Los Angeles should produce a clear picture of where they excel and where they fall short. Here is how Dr. Baravarian at DOCS Foot and Ankle maps to each criterion.
Board certification and credentials
Dr. Bob is a fellowship-trained foot and ankle specialist with over 25 years of dedicated practice, consistently meeting and exceeding the standards set by both ABFAS and AOFAS.
Surgical volume
He has performed more than 5,000 successful surgeries over a 25-year career across primary, revision, and reconstructive procedures, a depth of case experience that cannot be manufactured.
An innovation track record
Dr. Baravarian was the first in the United States to develop metal-free surgical techniques. He has been named a Top Doctor by LA Magazine and a Top Surgeon in California, and he has been featured in major national and international media. He is also trusted by physicians worldwide for revision and reconstructive referrals.
Revision and reconstructive expertise
A significant portion of his caseload consists of patients who have undergone prior surgeries elsewhere. Dr. Bavarian’s practice is built, in part, on solving problems that other surgeons could not.
Patient outcomes and reviews
Dr. Bob scored an average of 4.8 stars in patient reviews based on 5,220 first-party reviews. Patients have returned to running pain-free, described procedures as painless, and noted that Dr. Bob “explains everything clearly and makes sure you understand everything before he leaves the room.”
If you are ready to move from research to action, the next step is a consultation with Dr. Bob’s team. Read what patients say about Dr. Baravarian to understand what that experience looks like in practice, then reach out to schedule your appointment.
Dr. Bob Baravarian, the best foot and ankle specialist in Los Angeles
If you’re dealing with heel pain, plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, sports injuries, or other
chronic foot and ankle conditions, the right specialist makes all the difference. Dr. Bob Baravarian combines advanced sports medicine and podiatry to deliver a precise, personalized treatment plan, ranging from orthotics and X-rays to advanced surgical treatment.
Whether you need minimally invasive arthroscopy, complex podiatric surgery, or procedures such as ankle replacement and joint replacement, you’re in experienced hands.
We treat everything from ingrown toenails and sprains to ankle arthritis and osteoarthritis, and offer a full range of surgical care options.
We welcome new patients and are trusted across Los Angeles for expert foot & ankle surgery and ankle care.
How to choose a foot and ankle surgeon FAQs
What questions should I ask a foot and ankle surgeon before surgery?
-
- Ask how many times the surgeon has performed your specific procedure and what their complication rate is.
-
- Ask whether non-surgical alternatives have been fully explored and what criteria they use to decide surgery is necessary.
-
- Ask what type of hardware they plan to use and whether metal-free bio-integrated options are available.
-
- Finally, ask for a realistic recovery timeline and what factors could extend it.
A surgeon who gives you specific, honest answers has thought carefully about your individual anatomy.
How do I find the best foot and ankle surgeon in Los Angeles?
Start with board certification through ABFAS or AOFAS fellowship training, then look for a surgeon whose practice is exclusively dedicated to the foot and ankle. Verify surgical volume, look for independent recognition (such as Top Doctor designations, media coverage, peer referrals), and read patient reviews, paying attention to specific outcomes, not just general satisfaction.
What should I look for in a surgeon for bunion or hammertoe correction?
For bunion correction, look for a surgeon who addresses the three-dimensional nature of the deformity. Lapiplasty 3D correction and metal-free bio-integrated hardware represent the current state-of-the-art techniques, with lower recurrence rates and faster recovery.
For hammertoe correction, ask specifically whether the surgeon uses metal pins that require removal or offers metal-free alternatives. The hardware choice directly affects your post-operative recovery experience and the likelihood of needing a follow-up procedure.
How do I find a surgeon for revision foot surgery after a failed procedure?
Revision surgery requires a surgeon who regularly handles complex reconstructive cases. Ask what percentage of their practice involves revision and reconstructive work, and look for surgeons trusted by other physicians for referrals on difficult cases.
At DOCS Foot and Ankle in Los Angeles revision and reconstructive surgery are a core part of our practice, and Dr. Bob Baravarian is sought out by physicians worldwide specifically for these complex cases.
