Daniel Scott, M.D., MBA
Specialties
- Orthopaedics - Foot & Ankle
- Orthopaedic Surgery
Locations (3)
- Charleston, SC
- Mount Pleasant, SC
- Summerville, SC
Foot & Ankle Care at MUSC Health
Why Choose MUSC Health for Foot & Ankle Care?
Foot and ankle conditions can be debilitating — affecting every step, limiting your ability to stay active, and making daily life more difficult than it should be. At MUSC Health, our foot and ankle team offers surgical and non-surgical treatment for a range of conditions, including arthritis, bunions and other deformities, sports injuries, tendon issues, and diabetic foot problems.
Highlights of our program include:
Innovative care options: MUSC Health was among the first programs in South Carolina offering surgery using 3D bone printing. This approach leads to a quicker recovery and a better range of motion.
Latest treatments: We are among the few programs in the state investigating ways to advance care for complex foot and ankle problems. These efforts mean we have years of experience delivering newer therapies, often before they become widely available.
Internationally renowned experts: Our doctors are at the leading edge of foot and ankle care. We train surgeons on the latest techniques, including minimally invasive procedures and ankle replacements.
Conditions We Treat
MUSC Health provides care for a broad range of foot and ankle conditions, including:
MUSC Health provides highly specialized care for patients facing complex foot and ankle conditions related to diabetes, neuropathy, Charcot arthropathy, chronic wounds, and deformity. Our team is nationally recognized for expertise in limb salvage, working to prevent amputation and restore function through advanced surgical and medical treatments.
When ankle arthritis makes every step painful and limits the activities you love, total ankle replacement can be a life-changing solution. At MUSC Health, our orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons specialize in ankle arthroplasty — replacing damaged joint surfaces with precision-engineered implants to relieve pain and restore motion.
Hallux rigidus is the most common form of arthritis in the foot. It affects the first MTP joint — the joint at the base of the big toe — causing pain, stiffness, and progressive loss of toe motion. Early cases can often be managed with orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and shoe modifications. When the joint is severely damaged, surgical intervention — joint replacement or fusion — may be recommended.
The midfoot contains the Lisfranc joint complex — a network of bones and ligaments connecting the forefoot to the hindfoot. Midfoot arthritis can develop after a Lisfranc injury (fracture or sprain) or from chronic wear over time. Surgical reconstruction, which may include joint fusion or realignment, is sometimes the most effective treatment when non-surgical care fails.
Prior fractures or severe ligament injuries in the foot can lead to post-traumatic arthritis at the site of an old injury. Patients may be candidates for joint replacement or reconstruction depending on which joints are affected and the extent of damage.
Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and related inflammatory conditions can cause significant damage to foot joints. Our team works with rheumatologists to evaluate surgical options when inflammation has caused structural damage not responsive to medical management.
Lisfranc injuries affect the joints and ligaments in the middle of the foot that help maintain stability while standing and walking. These injuries can range from ligament sprains to fractures and joint dislocations, often resulting from sports injuries, falls, or motor vehicle accidents.
Complex foot trauma refers to severe injuries involving multiple bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, or soft tissues of the foot and ankle. These injuries often occur after high-impact events and may require specialized surgical treatment to restore alignment, function, and mobility.
Previous injuries can sometimes heal improperly or cause long-term damage to joints, leading to chronic pain, stiffness, arthritis, or changes in foot shape and alignment. Our specialists evaluate these conditions and provide treatment options to improve comfort, function, and quality of life.
Some foot and ankle conditions, including severe deformities, arthritis, instability, and injuries, may require reconstructive surgery when non-surgical treatments no longer provide relief. Reconstructive procedures are designed to restore normal alignment, reduce pain, and improve the ability to walk and remain active.
Symptoms that may warrant evaluation
- Pain at the base of the big toe, especially pushing off to walk
- Stiffness in the great toe limiting walking, stairs, or footwear
- Aching along the arch or middle of the foot
- Swelling around one or more foot joints
- Noticeable change in foot shape or arch height
- Difficulty finding shoes that fit comfortably due to pain
Foot Joint Replacement & Surgical Reconstruction: Understanding Your Options
First MTP joint replacement replaces the damaged cartilage surfaces of the great toe joint with artificial implants. This procedure aims to relieve the pain of hallux rigidus while preserving some degree of motion in the great toe. It is an option for patients with moderate to severe hallux rigidus who want to maintain toe flexibility.
First MTP joint fusion is one of the most reliable and durable surgical options for severe hallux rigidus. The procedure permanently fuses the bones, eliminating joint movement. While motion is lost, fusion reliably relieves pain and allows patients to walk, stand, and participate in most activities comfortably. For many patients, fusion provides a more predictable long-term result than replacement.
Midfoot reconstruction addresses arthritis or instability in the Lisfranc joint complex. Depending on severity, this may involve joint fusion, bone realignment, or a combination of techniques. Recovery typically requires a period of non-weight-bearing followed by gradual rehabilitation.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for foot surgery. During your consultation, your surgeon will review your imaging, assess your symptoms, and discuss the benefits and trade-offs of each option as they apply specifically to you.
What to Expect After Foot Surgery
Meet Our Foot & Ankle Specialists
Accepting New Patients
Accepting New Patients
Christopher Gross, M.D.
Specialties
- Orthopaedics - Foot & Ankle
- Orthopaedic Surgery
Locations (5)
- Bluffton, SC
- Charleston, SC
- Mount Pleasant, SC
- North Charleston, SC
- Okatie, SC
Accepting New Patients
Gregory Palutsis, M.D.
Specialties
- Orthopaedics
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Orthopaedics - Foot & Ankle
- Orthopaedics - Shoulder & Elbow
- Orthopaedics - Sports Medicine
Locations (2)
- Florence, SC
- Mullins, SC
Where to Find Foot & Ankle Care
MUSC Health Orthopaedics at West Ashley Medical Pavilion
Address
MUSC Health West Ashley Medical Pavilion2060 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard
1st Floor
Charleston, SC 29407
Hours
- Monday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayClosed
Specialties
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Orthopaedics
- Orthopaedics - Foot & Ankle
- Orthopaedics - Joint Replacement
- Orthopaedics - Shoulder & Elbow
- Orthopaedics - Sports Medicine
- Podiatry
- Sarcoma Cancer
MUSC Health Orthopaedics at Rutledge Tower
Address
MUSC Health Rutledge Tower135 Rutledge Avenue
Rutledge Tower, 7th Floor
Charleston, SC 29425
Hours
- Monday7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayClosed
Specialties
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Orthopaedics
- Orthopaedics - Foot & Ankle
- Orthopaedics - Joint Replacement
- Orthopaedics - Shoulder & Elbow
- Orthopaedics - Sports Medicine
- Podiatry
MUSC Health Podiatry
Address
MUSC Health Clements Ferry Pavilion1101 Waterline Street
Clements Ferry Pavilion, 2nd Floor
Charleston, SC 29492
Hours
- Monday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayClosed
Specialties
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Orthopaedics
- Orthopaedics - Foot & Ankle
- Podiatry
Overcoming a Rare Injury
After a car accident that resulted in many complications years later, Teresa hiked the French Alps two years after ankle replacement surgery at MUSC Health.
Frequently Asked Question About Foot Joint Replacement & Reconstruction
Hallux rigidus is arthritis of the first MTP joint — the joint at the base of the big toe. It causes pain, stiffness, and progressive loss of motion. It is the most common arthritic condition in the foot. When conservative treatment is no longer effective, surgical options include joint replacement (arthroplasty) or joint fusion (arthrodesis).
First MTP joint replacement, also called great toe arthroplasty, replaces the damaged joint surfaces at the base of the big toe with artificial implants. The goal is to relieve pain from advanced hallux rigidus while preserving some degree of toe motion.
Both procedures effectively relieve hallux rigidus pain. Joint replacement preserves some motion; fusion reliably relieves pain by eliminating joint movement and is considered the gold standard for severe cases by many surgeons. The best choice depends on the patient's age, anatomy, activity goals, and degree of joint damage.
Midfoot arthritis refers to arthritic changes in the Lisfranc joint complex — the network of bones and ligaments connecting the forefoot to the hindfoot. It can develop after a Lisfranc injury, from repetitive stress, or from inflammatory conditions. Symptoms include arch pain, swelling, and difficulty walking.
Foot arthritis can result from osteoarthritis (wear and tear), post-traumatic arthritis after a fracture or ligament injury, or inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. The great toe joint and midfoot joints are particularly susceptible.
Recovery depends on the specific procedure. After great toe joint replacement or fusion, patients typically wear a surgical shoe or boot for several weeks, then begin physical therapy. Most return to normal activity within 3 to 6 months.
Yes. Physical therapy is an important part of recovery. A therapist will guide exercises to restore strength, balance, and normal walking mechanics. Therapy typically begins once healing is sufficient — usually several weeks after surgery.
Candidacy depends on which joints are affected, the degree of damage on imaging, your age, activity level, and overall health. Your orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether replacement, fusion, or another approach is most appropriate.
Call 843-876-0111, schedule through MyChart at mychart.muschealth.com, or ask your primary care provider for a referral to our orthopaedic foot and ankle team.
