Mark Blackney Foot Surgeon Logo

Specialising in
MINIMALLY INVASIVE FOREFOOT SURGERY


LEVEL 5, 141 GREY STREET, EAST MELBOURNE


FOR ALL ENQUIRIES CALL

03 9417 0762



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about-mr-mark-blackney

About Mr Mark Blackney


Mark Blackney completed his medical degree at the University of Melbourne in 1988, receiving awards in anatomy and surgery. He then undertook a surgical residency at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. After seven years of surgical training, he was accepted as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons specialising in orthopaedics.

Mark then undertook a year of overseas training, firstly at the Mayo Clinic in the US and then in Europe, where he trained under Mr Michael Stephens, President of the European Foot and Ankle Society. He returned and commenced this practice in 1999. Mark exclusively treats disorders of the foot and ankle.

Sports medicine is one of the specialities of Mark’s practice. He provides advice and treatment to various sporting clubs, and has been the foot and ankle specialist to the Australian Open tennis tournament and part of the medical staff for the Rugby World Cup. The practice also provides treatment for members of the National Athletics team.

The treatment of bunion problems forms a significant part of the practice. Mark’s specialty is minimally invasive surgical techniques which have revolutionised the management of foot problems.

Current Positions


Chairman, Foot & Ankle
Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association

Chairman, Foot & Ankle
St Vincent’s Health, Victoria

Quick Links


Key Procedures


Minimally Invasive Surgery for:
Bunion treatment
Big toe arthritis
Toe correction

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BUNION INFORMATION & TREATMENT

about

Our practice


This practice has been established in East Melbourne for over 15 years. During this time we have treated over 20,000 foot and ankle problems. The main specialties of the practice are deformity correction such as bunion and toe problems, sports medicine and degenerative diseases. Mr. Blackney is part of the Park Clinic group of Orthopaedic specialists based in East Melbourne.

We take pride in providing the highest level of care.

Our team


Mark Blackney

Mark Blackney

Jennifer

Jennifer

Karen

Karen

Therese

Therese Guy

Caroline

Caroline

Information


Caroline is a Division 1 Nurse assisted by Therese Guy. They form a team that manages both the pre-operative and post-operative clinic. They are available to answer any questions a patient may have regarding their surgery and post-op recovery period, either by phone or in person at the practice.

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Park Clinic Orthopaedic Team


Mark Blackney is part of the Park Clinic Orthopaedics Team. Visit his colleagues’ pages below

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Terence Chin

Foot & Ankle

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Richard Dallalana

Shoulder, Elbow & Knee

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Robert Howells

Knee, Hip & Shoulder

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Gerald Quan

Spine

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John Salmon

Shoulder & Elbow

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Bunions – Hallux Valgus

Patient Information – Bunions – Hallux Valgus

Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery (MICA)

Hallux Valgus (Bunion) Treatments

We are one of the few practices in the world where all forefoot problems requiring surgery are treated by minimally invasive techniques. Bunion problems are no exception, and this means a far shorter post-op recovery time for patients

Bunions – Hallux Valgus condition and symptoms

Bunions – Hallux Valgus are a common deformity in our community. They occur due to a muscle imbalance that is either inherited or caused by inappropriate footwear. Bunions worsen as we get older and can eventually cause pain and deformity.

The bunion may damage other parts of your feet as well. Pain is felt because of their size and abnormal mechanics. The time to have treatment is when they cause significant pain or you have difficulty in finding comfortable footwear. Occasionally bunions are treated when they are not painful in themselves but are placing the rest of the foot at risk of major problems.

Over the last 20 years 4500 bunion procedures have been performed in this practice. It’s wonderful seeing people’s lives transform from pain and deformity to comfort and activity.

About the Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery (MICA) procedure

For a long time I performed the scarf/akin procedure but have moved to the MICA procedure in 2017.

I first trained in the MICA procedure in 2012 but waited until I was sure that it could provide the reliable and safe results that our patients require. I was glad that I had so much experience behind me because the MICA procedure is much trickier, but the benefits to the patient are enormous.

This type of surgery allows correction of bunion deformities via small incisions. Usually only 4 keyhole incisions are required. It has great benefits as anatomical correction can be obtained with minimal trauma and pain.

A single bunion correction is performed as a day case. Both feet can be treated together with a one night stay.

Post-operative care for Bunions

After minimally invasive bunion surgery, early weight bearing is allowed as wound healing is rapid. Infection risk is greatly reduced.

Recovery is rapid with a bandage required for only one week.

After the bandages have been removed, footwear is permitted although comfort shoes are best at this stage.

Daily life is generally quite normal around three weeks post surgery and low impact gym exercises can be started anytime after the first week.

Biologically it takes the body around one hundred days for complete healing regardless of the technique chosen but the minimally invasive bunion surgery allows a quicker return to work, daily life and fitness.

The goal of any bunion surgery is restoration of anatomy and mechanics. Removing the lump and straightening the foot is obviously required.

The keys to long term success are restoring the ideal anatomy and mechanics. This will allow full range of motion (so there’s generally no problem with high heels after surgery), correct function to provide normal weight bearing, and muscle balance to prevent recurrence.

Please contact Mr Blackney′s rooms on (03) 9417 0762 if you require further information.

Patients should also read:
Patient Information Sheet – Foot and Ankle Surgery: Pre and Post Operative Information
Patient Information Sheet – Foot and Ankle Surgery: FAQ

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Contact Mark Blackney & Team


For general enquiries or to request an appointment please fill out the
form below or call (03) 9417 0762.

Alternatively, you can request an appointment online and we will endeavour to respond within 1 business day.

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    Consulting Suite

    Park Clinic Orthopaedics
    Level 5, 141 Grey Street, East Melbourne, VIC 3002
    T. 03 9417 0762

    Hospital Appointments

    Hospital appointments at the following locations:

    St Vincent′s Private – East Melbourne

    St Vincent′s Private – Kew

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    © 2022 Mark Blackney – Foot surgeon in Melbourne