The program includes:
- Initial presentation in the clinic
- clinical history taking
- review of medical records
- physical examination
- x-ray examination of the foot
- CT/MRI (if clinically indicated, additional cost is 650/1200€)
- nursing services
- consultation of related specialists
- treatment by chief physician and all leading experts
- explanation of individual treatment plan
- written statement
Required documents
- Medical records
- X-ray examination, MRI/CT scan (if available)
Service
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About the department
The Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery at the Hirslanden Clinic La Colline Geneva offers the full range of services in its areas of specialization. The department’s work is based on a unique interdisciplinary approach, which ensures that the patient receives comprehensive medical care, highly accurate diagnostics and individually selected treatment. Initially, the doctors are trying to solve the problem using conservative treatment methods and only in case of their inefficiency resort to surgery. The department uses the very latest surgical techniques, including those developed by the chief physician and other employees of the medical facility. If possible, the surgeons perform sparing minimally invasive operations, which ensure the speedy recovery of the patient and the minimum hospital stay.
The department is headed by PD Dr. med. Mathieu Assal. The doctor has successfully performed thousands of operations on the foot and ankle. In addition to outstanding clinical activities, he is actively engaged in research work, development of new surgical techniques and their immediate introduction into clinical practice for the benefit of patients. His developments Achillon, Makan, PCL-Press and Hypralax have gained recognition in the international medical arena and are successfully used in everyday clinical work.
The department specializes in the diagnostics and treatment of the following foot and ankle diseases:
- Hallux valgus
- Hallux rigidus
- Flat feet
- Metatarsalgia
- Morton's neuroma
- Toe deformities
- Achilles tendonitis and Achilles tendon rupture
- Heel pain
- Navicular fracture
- Cuboid fracture
- Talus fracture
- Calcaneus fracture
- Tibia fracture
- Fibula fracture
- Maisonneuve fracture
- Malleolus fracture (isolated, bimalleolar, trimalleolar)
- Metatarsal fracture
- Lisfranc injury
- Toe fractures
- Diabetic foot
- Other diseases and injuries
The department’s spectrum of therapeutic services includes:
- Conservative treatment
- Manual techniques and physiotherapy
- Use of orthopedic appliances
- Drug treatment (anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid injections)
- Surgical treatment
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Toe deformity correction
- Achilles tendon reconstruction
- Tendon transfer
- Fracture treatment
- Computer-assisted surgery
- Fracture treatment
- Fusion
- Osteotomy
- Classical surgery
- Fracture treatment
- Osteotomy
- Fusion
- Ankle replacement surgery
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Other treatments
Curriculum vitae
PD Dr. med. Mathieu Assal is an internationally recognized orthopaedic and trauma surgeon. He established the Assal Center for Foot Care and Surgery in Geneva in 2012. He and his team of specialists treat acute and chronic disorders of the lower limbs. He is also well-known for his extensive clinical research contributions, designing new surgical techniques that are now used worldwide.
Dr. Assal has a broad range of skills encompassing all types of trauma and injuries to the foot, ankle and lower leg, treatment of deformities, fracture fixation, ankle joint replacement (arthroplasty/prosthesis), tendon repair, etc. His expertise also includes the treatment of infections and complications affecting the lower limbs, notably due to diabetes mellitus.
After receiving his medical degree from the University of Geneva in 1994, Mathieu Assal decided to focus on lower limb surgery. He completed his specialization in Orthopedics and Traumatology in Geneva and obtained SMA certification in Orthopaedic Surgery in 1999. In 2000, his career led him to the United States for two years, where he carried out research on foot and ankle trauma under a Research and Clinical Fellowship at one of America’s leading institutions, the Sigvard T. Hansen Foot & Ankle Institute, at the Harborview Medical Center of the University of Washington in Seattle. Between 2002 and 2012, Mathieu Assal directed the Section of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the Section of Orthopedic Infections at the Geneva University Hospitals. During this time, he was named Deputy Clinical Director (Associate Professor) and was awarded the distinguished academic title of PD. In 2012, he was appointed the President of the Swiss Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology (he held this position until 2016).
His surgical innovations include Achillon (minimally invasive suturing system for the Achilles tendon), Makan (femoral prosthesis for transfemoral amputation cases), PCL-Press (device to measure posterior instability following posterior cruciate ligament tears) and Hypralax (device to measure instability of the foot medial column).
Photo of the doctor: (c) Hirslanden AG
About hospital
The Hirslanden Clinic La Colline Geneva is a multidisciplinary medical facility, where the patient will benefit from an impeccable quality of medical service, responsive care and a humane attitude. The clinic provides both inpatient treatment and outpatient care. There are 67 beds available for hospitalization. The basis of successful clinical practice is the advanced infrastructure, high-tech equipment and carefully selected medical personnel with impressive competencies and rich experience.
The clinic has 6 ultramodern operating rooms with all the necessary conditions for robot-assisted and endoscopic interventions, as well as classic open operations. The clinic’s infrastructure is complemented by a progressive Department of Radiology, Unilabs Laboratory, as well as a Department of Physiotherapy.
The competence of the clinic covers more than 30 fields of modern medicine, in which patients can receive consultations, undergo accurate diagnostics, effective treatment and follow-up care. In some areas of specialization, the medical complex has gained special recognition and excellent reputation in the international medical arena. In particular, these areas include abdominal surgery, orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery. The clinic also offers check-up programs that can be adapted to the individual needs of patients.
A feature of the medical complex is the presence of a specialized Center for Sports Medicine and Physical Training, which has received recognition from the Swiss Olympic Committee. The center offers individual medical programs for young or experienced athletes, as well as for active people and those who need recovery from sports injuries.
Thus, the clinic has all the necessary resources to provide quality medical services in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. In addition, the medical facility is proud of its convenient location. It is 5 minutes from the city center, 20 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from Geneva Cornavin train station.
Photo: (с) depositphotos
Accommodation in hospital
Patients rooms
The patients of the the Hirslanden Clinic La Colline Geneva live in comfortable rooms made in light colors and modern design. Each patient room has an ensuite bathroom with shower and toilet. The standard patient room includes an automatically adjustable bed with a comfortable orthopedic mattress, a bedside table, a wardrobe, a table and chairs for receiving visitors, a TV. If desired, one can connect to Wi-Fi. The clinic also provides enhanced-comfort rooms with a safe, a refrigerator and upholstered furniture.
Meals and Menus
The patient and the accompanying person are offered a daily choice of three menus. If you are on a specific diet for any reason, you will be offered an individual menu. Please inform the medical staff about your dietary preferences prior to the treatment.
Further details
Standard rooms include:
Religion
The religious services can be provided upon request.
Accompanying person
During the inpatient program, an accompanying person may stay with the patient in the room or at a hotel. Our managers will help you choose the most suitable option.
Hotel
During the outpatient program, the patient may stay at the hotel. Our managers will help you choose the most suitable option.