English-speaking foot and ankle surgeon in Barcelona for expats

EXPAT PATIENTS ENGLISH BARCELONA

English-speaking foot and ankle surgeon in Barcelona for expats and international patients

Dr. Manel Ballester — Foot & Ankle Surgeon — Clínica Creu Blanca, Barcelona

You have a foot or ankle problem and you live in Barcelona — or you are visiting and need care. You need a specialist who speaks English properly, accepts international insurance, and gives you a straight answer about what is wrong and what to do about it.

Finding a specialist in a foreign country is stressful at the best of times. Finding one who speaks your language, understands your insurance, and has the specific expertise you need is harder. This page is here to give you the practical information you need to make that decision confidently.

Who is Dr. Manel Ballester?

Dr. Manel Ballester is a traumatologist and orthopaedic surgeon who works exclusively in foot and ankle surgery. This distinction matters: many orthopaedic surgeons treat the full range of musculoskeletal problems. Dr. Ballester’s entire practice — every consultation, every operation — is foot and ankle. That focus translates directly into surgical outcomes.

• Head of Traumatology, Hospital Universitari de Mataró
• Coordinator, Foot & Ankle Unit, Clínica Creu Blanca Barcelona
• Fellowship training at IFAR, Baltimore, USA and in Switzerland
• Director of FootExperts — an international fellowship programme training foot and ankle surgeons from across Europe and Latin America
• Over 15 years of dedicated foot and ankle practice
• Consultations fully in English — no interpreter, no language barrier

What conditions are treated?

The full range of foot and ankle pathology, including:

• Bunions (hallux valgus) — percutaneous and open techniques
• Achilles tendon — rupture repair, insertional tendinopathy (Haglund), chronic tendinopathy
• Ankle instability — ligament reconstruction (Broström), chronic sprains
• Ankle arthroscopy — osteochondral lesions, impingement, synovitis
• Plantar fasciitis — conservative and surgical management
• Hallux rigidus — cheilectomy and arthrodesis
• Foot fractures and their sequelae — malunions, post-traumatic arthritis
• Morton’s neuroma — diagnosis and surgical excision
• Flat foot in adults — conservative and reconstructive surgery
• Metatarsalgia — conservative and surgical offloading
• Rare conditions — tarsal coalition, Freiberg’s disease, Müller-Weiss disease, os naviculare

Insurance: what is covered and how it works

Clínica Creu Blanca works with the principal international insurers. If you have one of the following policies, you are likely covered for consultations and surgery — confirm directly with your insurer:

• Cigna Global / Cigna International
• Allianz Care
• AXA International / AXA PPP
• Bupa International
• Sanitas (Spanish private insurance)
• Adeslas, DKV, Asistencia Sanitaria (Spanish mutual insurers)

Practical steps for insurance patients:

1. Contact your insurer to confirm Clínica Creu Blanca is within your network
2. Request pre-authorisation for a specialist consultation in foot and ankle surgery
3. Bring your insurance card and policy number to the appointment
4. After the consultation, we provide a detailed medical report for any additional insurance paperwork

Self-pay patients: consultation fees and surgery costs are available on request. Costs in Barcelona are significantly lower than equivalent private care in the UK, Ireland, or the US, with no difference in implant quality or surgical standards.

Where and how to book

Clínica Creu Blanca — Passeig de la Reina Elisenda, 17, Barcelona. Easily accessible by FGC train (Reina Elisenda station, 2 minutes walk) and by car, with parking nearby. Located in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district.

Non-urgent appointments are typically available within 1-2 weeks. Urgent cases (acute injury, sudden deterioration) can often be seen sooner. Weight-bearing X-rays are taken at the clinic on the day of the first consultation, so a complete diagnosis and management plan is available the same day.

For patients recovering abroad: follow-up after surgery can be conducted by video call if you have returned to your home country. We coordinate with your local GP or physiotherapist and provide all discharge documentation in English.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an English-speaking foot surgeon in Barcelona?
Yes. Dr. Manel Ballester conducts all consultations in English at Clínica Creu Blanca. Trained in the US (IFAR Baltimore) and Switzerland. No interpreter needed.

What conditions are treated?
The full range of foot and ankle pathology: bunions, Achilles tendon, ankle instability, arthroscopy, plantar fasciitis, hallux rigidus, Morton’s neuroma, flat foot, fractures and rare conditions including Freiberg’s disease and Müller-Weiss.

What international insurance is accepted?
Cigna Global, Allianz Care, AXA International, Bupa International, Sanitas and others at Clínica Creu Blanca. Confirm with your insurer and request pre-authorisation before booking.

How do I book?
Via the contact form on this website. Appointments typically within 1-2 weeks. Urgent cases prioritised. X-rays taken on the day of the first visit.

Can I have surgery and fly home to recover?
Yes. Many international patients do this. Flying is generally safe from 1-2 weeks post-op for most procedures. Full documentation in English provided. Video-call follow-up available.

Book an English-language foot and ankle consultation in Barcelona

Dr. Manel Ballester — Foot & Ankle Surgeon — Clínica Creu Blanca, Barcelona. Consultations fully in English. International insurance accepted. Same-day diagnosis with weight-bearing X-rays.

Book a consultation