English-speaking Orthopedic Surgeon Barcelona | Dr. Ballester


□ English-speaking Orthopaedic Surgeon in Barcelona — Dr. Manel Ballester
Traumatology · Sports Injuries · Foot & Ankle Surgery · Expats & International Patients

Are you an expat or international patient in Barcelona looking for an English-speaking orthopaedic surgeon? Dr. Manel Ballester is a board-certified traumatologist and orthopaedic surgeon with over 15 years of experience. He treats a full range of musculoskeletal and orthopaedic conditions — from sports injuries and joint problems to complex foot and ankle surgery — at Clínica Creu Blanca, one of Barcelona's leading private hospitals.

□□ Why choose Dr. Ballester?

  • ✅ Consultations fully in English — no language barrier, no interpreter needed
  • ✅ Trained in the United States (IFAR Baltimore) and Switzerland — international clinical standards
  • ✅ Specialist in both general traumatology and foot & ankle surgery
  • ✅ Located at Clínica Creu Blanca, Passeig de la Reina Elisenda, Barcelona
  • ✅ Accepts international health insurance — Cigna, Allianz Care, AXA, Sanitas and more
  • ✅ Medical reports and discharge summaries available in English on request

□ We regularly treat patients from

□□ United Kingdom□□ United States□□ Germany□□ France□□ Italy□□ Netherlands□□ Sweden□□ Denmark□□ Belgium□□ Switzerland□□ Australia□□ Canada□□ Japan+ many more □

Areas of expertise

⭐ Main Speciality

□ Foot & Ankle Surgery

  • ✔ Achilles tendinopathy & rupture
  • ✔ Plantar fasciitis & heel pain
  • ✔ Chronic ankle instability
  • ✔ Bunions (hallux valgus)
  • ✔ Hallux rigidus
  • ✔ Osteochondral lesions (ankle)
  • ✔ Ankle arthritis & replacement
  • ✔ Peroneal tendon disorders
  • ✔ Morton's neuroma
  • ✔ Ankle impingement
  • ✔ Flat foot (adult)
  • ✔ Minimally invasive foot surgery
□ Also Available

□ General Traumatology & Orthopaedics

  • ✔ Sports injuries (acute & chronic)
  • ✔ Muscle & tendon injuries
  • ✔ Ligament sprains & tears
  • ✔ Stress fractures
  • ✔ Joint pain & inflammation
  • ✔ Post-traumatic rehabilitation
  • ✔ Second opinions on orthopaedic diagnoses
  • ✔ Pre & post-surgical follow-up
  • ✔ Return-to-sport assessments
  • ✔ PRP & regenerative medicine
  • ✔ Ultrasound-guided injections
  • ✔ Medical certificates for insurance
□ Not sure if Dr. Ballester treats your condition? If your problem involves bones, joints, tendons, ligaments or muscles, book a consultation and he will assess whether he can help or refer you to the right specialist in Barcelona.

Treatments available

□ Non-surgical treatments

  • Ultrasound-guided infiltrations
  • PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy
  • Hyaluronic acid injections
  • Custom orthotics prescription
  • Physiotherapy referral & coordination
  • Shockwave therapy referral
  • Walking boot (walker) and bracing

⚕️ Surgical treatments

  • Ankle arthroscopy (all-inside technique)
  • Minimally invasive foot surgery (MIS)
  • Ligament reconstruction (Brostrom-Gould)
  • Bunion correction — Chevron, Scarf, DROMO
  • Achilles tendon repair
  • Ankle replacement & arthrodesis
  • Cartilage repair (microfractures, mosaicoplasty)

Practical information for expats

□ What to know before your appointment

  • □ Language: Fully in English. Spanish or Catalan also available.
  • □ Location: Clínica Creu Blanca — Passeig de la Reina Elisenda, 17, Barcelona (Sarrià-Sant Gervasi). FGC train Reina Elisenda station, 2 min walk.
  • □ Insurance: Cigna, Allianz Care, AXA, Sanitas, Adeslas and most international plans. Self-pay welcome. Itemised invoices for reimbursement provided.
  • □ Reports: Full medical reports and post-op instructions in English on request — useful for your GP or insurer back home.
  • □ Booking: Via contact form, phone or Clínica Creu Blanca directly. Most appointments within 1–2 weeks. Urgent cases prioritised.
  • □ Imaging: X-rays and MRI available on-site. Results can be summarised in English.

What patients say

"I tore a ligament in my ankle playing football in Barcelona. As a British expat I was worried about navigating the healthcare system. Dr. Ballester's team couldn't have been more helpful — everything was in English, the diagnosis was fast, and I was back playing within 4 months after surgery."— James M. · British expat · Barcelona
"As an American in Barcelona, finding a specialist who speaks English and actually knows what they're doing is not easy. Dr. Ballester treated my Achilles tendinopathy with PRP and a rehab programme — I haven't had problems since. He also gave me a full English-language report for my insurance in the US."— Amy K. · American expat · Barcelona
"I needed a second opinion on a knee injury and a colleague recommended Dr. Ballester. Even though my problem was not strictly foot and ankle, he assessed me thoroughly, gave a clear diagnosis in English and referred me to the right specialist within his network. Very professional."— Thomas B. · German expat · Barcelona

About Dr. Manel Ballester

□ Dr. Manel Ballester — Orthopaedic Surgeon & Traumatologist, Barcelona Head of the Traumatology & Orthopaedic Surgery Service · Hospital Universitari de Mataró · Coordinator of the Foot & Ankle Unit · Clínica Creu Blanca Barcelona · Fellowship training at IFAR, Baltimore (USA) and Switzerland · Director of the Footexperts Fellowship international training programme · Member of SEMCPT · Over 15 years of experience in orthopaedic and foot & ankle surgery.

□ Book an English-speaking orthopaedic consultation in Barcelona

Clínica Creu Blanca · Passeig de la Reina Elisenda, 17 · Barcelona · English consultations · Cigna · Allianz · AXA · Sanitas · Self-pay · Insurance invoices provided

❓ Frequently asked questions — English-speaking patients in Barcelona
Does Dr. Ballester speak English?
Yes. Dr. Ballester conducts consultations fully in English. He trained in the United States (Baltimore) and Switzerland and is accustomed to treating international and expat patients. Medical reports, diagnosis letters and post-operative instructions can also be provided in English on request.
Does Dr. Ballester only treat foot and ankle problems?
No. Although foot and ankle surgery is his main speciality, Dr. Ballester is a fully qualified traumatologist and orthopaedic surgeon. He sees patients with sports injuries, tendon and ligament problems, stress fractures, joint pain and general musculoskeletal conditions. He can also provide second opinions and refer you to the most appropriate specialist in Barcelona if needed.
Does my international health insurance work at Clínica Creu Blanca?
Most international private insurance plans are accepted, including Cigna, Allianz Care, AXA, Sanitas and Adeslas. Self-pay patients are also welcome and we can provide itemised invoices for reimbursement from your insurer back home. We recommend confirming your specific policy directly with the clinic before your appointment.
Where is the clinic located in Barcelona?
The clinic is at Clínica Creu Blanca, Passeig de la Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 17, in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district of Barcelona. It is easily accessible by FGC commuter train (Reina Elisenda station, just 2 minutes' walk) and by car, with parking nearby.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Most non-urgent appointments are available within 1 to 2 weeks. Acute or urgent cases — such as a recent injury or sudden worsening of symptoms — are prioritised and can often be seen sooner. You can book via the contact form on this website, by phone, or directly through the Clínica Creu Blanca website.