Brisbane South Foot Surgery
Fellowship-trained surgical podiatrist providing expert foot and ankle care for
Brisbane’s South side.
Emilia Bran Hernandez
Surgical Podiatrist
Emilia Bran Hernandez is a fellowship-trained surgical podiatrist with the Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons.
Emilia is a registered specialist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is endorsed for scheduled medicines.
Conditions treated
Expert care for a wide range of foot and ankle conditions
In-room and hospital-based surgery
Understanding your surgical options:
Not all foot and ankle procedures require the same setting or level of anaesthesia.
Some conditions can be treated safely and effectively in a purpose-designed clinical procedure room using local anaesthetic, while others require a hospital operating theatre with sedation or general anaesthesia.
Your surgical podiatrist will recommend the most appropriate setting based on:
- The type and complexity of the procedure
- Your medical history
- Anaesthetic requirements
- Safety considerations
- Your comfort and preferences
Frequently asked questions
What is in-room (clinic-based) surgery?
In-room surgery refers to procedures performed in a clean, appropriately equipped clinical procedure room using local anaesthesia only. These procedures do not involve intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia and are suitable for selected minor surgical conditions.
In-room surgery is conducted using strict infection control standards and sterile technique, in line with Australian professional and regulatory guidelines.
Procedures commonly performed in-room
Examples of procedures that may be safely performed in a clinic setting include:
- Ingrown toenail surgery (partial or total nail removal)
- Removal of benign skin lesions or cysts
- Wart excision or curettage
- Simple soft tissue procedures
- Cortisone injection
Minor forefoot procedures where complexity and risk are low suitability is assessed individually and will be discussed during your consultation.
Benefits of in-room surgery
- Performed under local anaesthetic only
- No need for hospital admission
- Shorter procedure and recovery time
- Patients can usually walk out after the procedure
- Lower overall cost
- No anaesthetist or hospital theatre fees
In-room surgery is considered appropriate and safe for many minor procedures when performed by a trained surgical podiatrist in a properly equipped clinical environment.
What if I am needle-phobic or anxious?
- Inhaled sedation (Penthrox, “the green whistle”) – used immediately before and during injections to reduce anxiety.
- Oral sedation – may be prescribed
As these medications can cause drowsiness, impaired coordination, and reduced judgement, patients must not drive, operate machinery, or travel home alone after taking the medication. A responsible adult must accompany the patient to and from the appointment and remain with them during the initial recovery period at home to ensure their safety. Monitoring and supervision are recommended until the sedative effects have worn off and the patient has returned to their usual level of alertness
When is hospital surgery required?
Hospital-based surgery is recommended when:
- The procedure is more complex or lengthy
- Bone or joint reconstruction is required
- Sedation or general anaesthesia is necessary
- A higher level of monitoring is required
- Patient comfort or medical conditions make in-room surgery unsuitable
These procedures are performed in licensed day surgery units or hospitals with access to anaesthetic services, theatre staff, and recovery facilities.
Procedures commonly performed in hospital
- Bunion correction and osteotomies
- Neuroma surgery
- Complex forefoot or midfoot reconstruction
- Ankle and hindfoot surgery
- Procedures requiring surgical imaging
- Operations requiring sedation or general anaesthesia
Your surgical podiatrist will advise if your procedure must be performed in a hospital setting for safety reasons.
In-room surgery fees
- Surgical podiatrist professional fee only
Hospital-based surgery fees
Hospital procedures involve several separate fees, including:
- Hospital facility fee
- Anaesthetist fee
- Surgical podiatrist professional fee
- Surgical assistant fee
Safety and standards of care
All procedures are performed in accordance with professional standards and regulatory requirements set by AHPRA and specialist training frameworks supported by the Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons. Whether surgery is performed in-room or in hospital, patient safety, infection control, and appropriate anaesthetic management remain the highest priorities.
Summary
- Suitable for minor procedures
- Local anaesthetic only
- Performed in a clean clinical procedure room
- Lower cost
- Required for complex or reconstructive procedures
- Sedation or general anaesthetic
- Performed in licensed operating theatres
- Multiple fees involved
- Higher level of monitoring and support
Our commitment
- The most appropriate surgical setting
- Expected recovery
- Risks and benefits
- Estimated costs
Specialised services
Advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies
- MESI
The MESI system for vascular assessments, provides a fast and reliable method of measuring the ankle–brachial pressure index (ABPI). This allows for early detection of peripheral arterial disease and supports a thorough evaluation of vascular health before treatment or surgical procedures.
- Shockwave therapy
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic waves to stimulate natural healing in chronic musculoskeletal conditions like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy.
- Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may be considered in the pre-surgical management of chronic foot and ankle conditions that have not responded to standard conservative treatment.
- Diagnostic Ultrasound
Point-of-care musculoskeletal ultrasound (POCUS) provides real-time, dynamic imaging of soft tissues—including tendons, ligaments, and nerves—allowing for accurate diagnosis and informed clinical decision-making. It enhances assessment by enabling the surgical podiatrist to correlate imaging findings directly with symptoms, supporting precise and targeted management.
Bookings
Appointment types available
Initial surgical consultation
1 hour
Review consultation
30 minutes
In-room procedures
Booked via reception
Ready to take the next step?
Whether seeking an initial consultation or proceeding with treatment, our team is committed to supporting each patient in returning to comfortable, confident mobility.