About Dr. Zackary Chua

A first consultation usually begins with a discussion of your medical history and the symptoms you have been experiencing, followed by a physical examination. Imaging such as an X-ray or MRI scan may be arranged where it is needed to assess the condition. The findings are then reviewed with you, and management options are discussed. Follow-up arrangements depend on the condition and the approach agreed.

The two roles are different and are often complementary. A podiatrist is a healthcare professional whose work centres on the assessment and non-surgical care of the foot, including footwear, orthotics and skin and nail conditions. An orthopaedic surgeon is a medical doctor with specialist training in the musculoskeletal system, and can manage foot and ankle conditions through both non-surgical and surgical approaches. Which is appropriate depends on the condition.

No. Minimally invasive techniques are used for selected conditions and are not appropriate in every case. Suitability depends on the diagnosis, the severity and pattern of the deformity or injury, previous surgery and individual assessment. Where a minimally invasive approach is not suitable, other surgical or non-surgical options are discussed. Further detail is provided on the minimally invasive bunion surgery page.

Paediatric orthopaedic care covers infants through to adolescence. Some conditions are assessed shortly after birth, while others, such as differences in walking or the shape of the arch, are commonly reviewed as a child grows. Whether assessment is needed, and when, depends on the concern and is best discussed with the clinic.

It is helpful to bring a referral letter if you have one, any previous X-rays, MRI scans, ultrasound images or medical reports relating to the condition, a list of any medication you are taking, and details of treatment you have already tried. For a child, it is also useful to note when the concern was first observed and whether it has changed over time.

Fees vary according to the condition, the assessment and any imaging required, the procedure performed, the hospital or medical centre, and the length of any hospital stay. The Singapore Ministry of Health publishes fee benchmarks and historical transacted bill sizes, which patients can use as a general reference. An estimate relating to your own circumstances can be discussed with the clinic after consultation. You can contact the team to ask about this.