Comprehensive Foot Care: A Collaborative Approach at Yonseigunwoo Hospital

The feet are the cornerstone of the human body and the driving force behind an active life — which is why paying close attention to foot health is so important. When foot problems arise, it is essential to seek treatment from a specialist with a thorough understanding of foot anatomy and extensive experience treating a wide range of foot conditions. Sustained rehabilitation and exercise are equally critical for a swift return to daily life.

■A Collaborative Care System Built Around a Dedicated Foot Team

From familiar conditions like hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis to morton's neuroma, bunionette, and Achilles tendinitis — foot disorders are far more varied than most people realize, and it is not uncommon for two conditions to occur simultaneously. Missing the right window for surgery in such cases can cause gait deterioration and ultimately lead to complications in other joints.

Yonseigunwoo Hospital has established a dedicated foot care team in which specialists from multiple disciplines work together to address complex foot conditions. The hospital currently operates a collaborative care system comprising 5 foot specialists alongside 10 specialists in shoulder, knee, and spinal care. Building on this foundation, the hospital has treated 650,000 outpatients and successfully performed more than 50,000 surgeries over the 12 years since opening in 2014.

Dr. Eui Hyun Park, Director of Yonseigunwoo Hospital, emphasized: "Our dedicated foot team thoroughly evaluates each patient's condition from multiple angles to identify the optimal treatment plan. When surgery is needed, we rapidly assign the most suitable surgeon — so patients can proceed with confidence and without lengthy wait times."

■Personalized Hallux Valgus Treatment for a Return to Everyday Life

There are many misconceptions surrounding foot conditions — that surgery is always necessary, or conversely, that surgery does more harm than good. In reality, there is no one-size-fits-all answer: treatment varies depending on the level of pain, functional limitation, gait abnormality, and psychological impact on each patient.

Hallux valgus, for example, typically requires surgery when pain is severe and daily activities are significantly restricted. Surgical options fall into two main categories: corrective osteotomy, which involves an open incision, and minimally invasive surgery, performed through micro-incisions of just 2–3mm.

"Each approach has its own advantages and limitations, so selecting the method best suited to the individual patient is key," said Dr. Park. "For severe deformities or cases where definitive correction is the priority, corrective osteotomy is recommended. For patients who are particularly concerned about scarring or recovery time, minimally invasive surgery is the better choice."

Dr. Park has performed more than 30,000 hallux valgus surgeries out of over 40,000 total foot procedures, delivering personalized care backed by deep clinical expertise.

The ultimate goal of foot disorder treatment is to walk without pain — and rehabilitation and exercise after surgery are non-negotiable. Since rehabilitation and exercise protocols differ by condition, individualized management is essential.

To minimize inconvenience while providing more attentive, personalized care, Yonseigunwoo Hospital operates a dedicated nursing team. Assigned nurses maintain ongoing communication with patients through a dedicated channel — providing stage-specific rehabilitation and exercise guidance by phone and other means — reducing the need for hospital visits and helping patients return to their daily routines as quickly as possible.

■Enhanced Patient Safety and Convenience Through a One-Stop System

Yonseigunwoo Hospital recently relocated to a newly constructed facility, significantly upgrading patient safety and overall convenience. The new space features a wider, safer treatment environment designed for easy patient movement, and consolidates consultation, diagnostic testing, surgery, and rehabilitation into a seamless one-stop system — enabling fast, efficient care for busy working professionals and patients traveling from outside the region.

The hospital has also introduced university hospital-grade 3.0 Tesla MRI equipment for precise detection of even the most subtle lesions, and has implemented a sterile positive-pressure system in its operating rooms to minimize the risk of infection.

"We are committed to ensuring that every patient receives personalized care in a safer, more comfortable setting — and walks away healthy," said Dr. Park. "We hope that more patients and their families come to understand that seeing a foot specialist at the first sign of trouble is the best way to prevent more serious conditions down the road."