Podiatry (Foot Surgery)

Cinderella Foot Surgery

at Cadogan Clinic, London’s Leading Cosmetic Surgery Specialists.

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Award Winning Specialist Clinic

We've won 12 top industry awards since 2010 and regularly feature in the national and international press.

Industry Leading Consultants

We've invited only the very best consultants in the country to practice with us.

Care Quality Commission

Our Leadership has been rated Outstanding by the independent regulator of health and social care in England

GMC Registered Surgeons

All of our surgeons are registered with the General Medical Council.

Medically Reviewed December 2023, by Mr. Bryan Mayou (GMC: 1414396) - founder of the Cadogan Clinic and one of the world's leading plastic surgeons

What is Cinderella Foot Surgery?

Cinderella Foot Surgery is a cosmetic procedure that results in a narrower, more aesthetically pleasing, foot shape.

It is a procedure that effectively tackles the problem of splayed or spread foot, which can make it difficult to wear certain styles of footwear comfortably.

Splay foot or spread foot is usually caused by the appearance of a bunion on the inside of the big toe, as well as a tailor’s bunionette that affects the little toe. As a result, the feet gradually spread and cause difficulty and pain when wearing closed shoes.

Cinderella Foot Surgery is designed for people with abnormally wide feet, bunions or hammer toes, and can help to alleviate gradually worsening foot deformities affecting the forefoot, along with the associated pain when in footwear.  

Cosmetic surgery for wide feet can help by firstly eliminating the sources of chronic pain or deformity and secondly, reshaping the feet for aesthetic appeal, often resulting in smaller, slimmer feet with a reduced shoe size.  These procedures provide support to the foot through the lengthening or shortening of the toes, shaving off bunions or excess bone and removing lumps to slim the toes or feet.

Cinderella Foot Surgery in the UK at the Cadogan Clinic costs from £7,000 upwards.

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Before and after Cinderella Foot Surgery

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What conditions can this surgery treat?

There are a number of conditions that can be treated by Cinderella Foot Surgery.

Splay foot is a common condition which describes the spreading of the toes which causes the disappearance of the transverse arch of the foot, causing pain and tenderness. As a result, people with splay foot end up changing the way they walk, rolling over the outside edge of the foot rather than ‘pushing off’ over the big toe. This puts a strain on the foot and causes the muscles and ligaments in the foot to become weak, flattening the transverse foot arch and causing splay foot. It can also cause calluses to form on the soles of the foot. People with splay foot may also experience feelings of numbness, tingling or burning across the bottom of the foot.

Stiff footwear and high heels are the main culprits as they limit the foot’s movement, causing it to get progressively weaker. Other causes of splay foot include being overweight, previous injury or trauma and underlying medical conditions such as rheumatism or bone diseases.

Splay foot results in abnormal posture which can have a negative impact on other parts of the body, for example it may cause pain or arthritis to develop in the knees. So it is important that the condition is treated.

An alternative name for splay foot, this is characterised by spread toes and fallen arches. This results in pain or discomfort, causing a person to adjust the way they walk, causing further foot problems as well as problems with other parts of the body due to a change in posture. Spread foot makes it difficult to fit the foot into certain styles of footwear.

A bunion (hallux valgus) is a gradual dislocation of the big toe joint due to the failure of supporting ligaments and tendons around the big toe joint. This results in a large bony lump on the side of the big toe, which can be very painful. People with bunions may also find that their big toe points towards their other toes or the presence of a bunion may result in an area of hard or swollen skin, which may appear red or a darker colour than the surrounding skin. 

A tailor’s bunion, also called a bunionette, appears on the little toe. Although these are not as common as bunions, they are similar in symptoms and causes. These symptoms include swelling, redness and pain or discomfort.

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The cost of Cinderella Foot Surgery

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What does the procedure involve?

Cinderella Foot Surgery involves the following:

Toe shortening is a key part of the procedure. Depending on the severity and length of the toe, there are several methods to surgically shorten a toe. In general, the surgery involves removing a portion of the bone at the contracted joint, to realign the toe. A metal pin may be placed in the toe during the recovery period.

Although it is not guaranteed, toe shortening may result in a smaller shoe size.

Also known as osteotomy, foot shaving is used to remove painful and unsightly bunions. It involves cutting the joint of the big toe and realigning it or removing it. Often screws or plates are used to keep the bones in their new position. This can help stop the pain caused by bunions. Techniques and advancements in screw and plate technology allow early weight-bearing and minimally invasive techniques. This means a quicker recovery time for those undergoing foot surgery.

In the most serious of cases, the surgeon may suggest that an artificial implant is used. If arthritis is a factor, then using an implant can help to improve the range of motion in the big toe.

There are two different ways that injectables can be used in Cinderella Foot Surgery. Anti-ageing injectables, such as Botox, are used to further improve the aesthetics of the foot by removing wrinkles and preventing new ones from forming. Anti-ageing injectables also serve to prevent fungal growth and stop the feet from sweating. However the effects of anti-ageing injectables are only temporary and this part of the process will need to be repeated to maintain the result. The effects of anti-ageing injectables can last for anywhere between three and six months on average. This figure depends on how quickly your body is able to break down the toxins.

Cinderella Foot Surgery can also help women to walk more comfortably in high heels by utilising fat injections. For this part of the procedure, fat is taken from another part of the body and treated before being injected right into the soles of the feet to create a comfortable padding on the bottom of the feet.

The whole procedure takes about one hour per foot and can be performed under general or local anaesthetic. After the Cinderella Foot Surgery, you will have minimal mobility in the treated foot and should not put weight on it for 10 to 14 days. You will not be required to wear a cast after surgery, but a special shoe will be provided to be worn for two to three weeks.

What are the benefits of Cinderella foot surgery?

If you opt to have Cinderella Foot Surgery, then it brings with it a number of benefits. Cinderella Foot Surgery:

  • Removes unsightly bunions
  • Prevents arthritis caused by bunions
  • Corrects toe deformities, such as hammer toes and claw toes
  • Eliminates pain caused by foot deformities
  • Shortens excessively long toes
  • Improves splay foot
  • Removes tailor’s bunion (bunionette)
  • Results in narrower and smaller feet
  • Can reduce shoe size
  • Eliminates wrinkles
  • Stops feet from sweating
  • Makes wearing high heels feel more comfortable
  • Allows you to wear pointed, high or pretty shoes
  • Reduces the likelihood of corns and calluses forming on the feet
  • Improves posture
  • Lessens the likelihood of knee pain or knee problems
  • Improves self-confidence and overall mental wellbeing

Cinderella Foot Surgery Surgeons

We have invited a selection of the country's very best consultants to join us at the Cadogan Clinic so that you can be sure that whatever the nature of your treatment, you will be seeing one of the top practitioners in the country.

The Patient Journey. A breakdown of what you can expect on your journey with us

We are deeply invested in ensuring that every step of your surgical journey with us is as informative and reassuring to you as it can be. This article outlines what you can expect at each stage of the journey

The Patient Journey

Frequently Asked Questions

Although we use the latest minimally-invasive surgical techniques here at the Cadogan Clinic, it can still take a while to recover from Cinderella Foot Surgery.

Your feet will be bandaged and a special protective shoe will be provided to wear for two to three weeks after the surgery. It is important that you don’t put any weight on your feet for between 10 and 14 days after surgery.

If you follow the self-care instructions issued by your surgeon, you should expect a full recovery from Cinderella Foot Surgery in four to six weeks. If you don’t follow the instructions, your recovery will be slower and the final result may be affected.

If you choose the Cadogan Clinic for your Cinderella Foot Surgery in London, you will have access to 24/7 on call nurse assistance for the duration of your recovery.

The two biggest causes of splayed feet are obesity and the frequent wearing of unsuitable footwear, for example high heels or narrow, pointed shoes. Splayed feet are more common in adulthood, often as a result of years of poor footwear choices. However children can also have splayed feet as the condition can be genetic.

Medical conditions such as rheumatism or bone necrosis, where a lack of blood supply causes the bone tissue to die, can cause splayed feet. Hypermobility of the ligaments or weakened ligaments are also associated with the development of this foot problem. Other potential causes include bone diseases, paralysis caused by a damaged nervous system and trauma or injury to the foot, ligaments or tendons.

Wide feet can be caused by a number of different things. Common foot deformities, such as bunions, hammer toes or calluses may cause the foot to get wider. Unsuitable footwear, including shoes that are too short or too tight, typically lead to these deformities.

Genetics play a big role in the appearance of wide feet, as some people are born with naturally wide feet. People with flat feet, where the arches of the feet are flattened, are also more prone to wider feet. Age also plays a part as the body’s tendons and ligaments loosen in later life, meaning the foot grows outwards as well as lengthways. 

Pregnant women may also find that their feet spread during the second and third trimester. This is caused by the pregnancy hormone relaxin which causes ligaments and joints to loosen. It is not uncommon for women to go up a shoe size during pregnancy. This widening of the feet during pregnancy may be temporary or permanent.

Swelling (edema) can also be the cause of wider feet. This may be temporary, depending on what is causing the swelling and whether it can be treated. Certain health conditions, medications and fluid retention can all cause swelling in the feet.


If you are concerned about the width of your feet, book an appointment with one of the Cadogan Clinic’s expert surgeons to discuss the possibility of surgery for wide feet in London.


What are the risks?

Complications are rare although, as with all surgery, possible. Your surgeon will discuss each of these risks comprehensively at your consultation. 




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2021

Aesthetics Awards

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2021

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2020

My Face My Body

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2019

My Face My Body

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2018

My Face My Body

Highly Commended

Laurel Wreath for Awards
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2018

Aesthetics Awards

Highly Commended

Laurel Wreath for Awards
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2017

Aesthetics Awards

Winner

Laurel Wreath for Awards

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