Bunion surgery in the US typically costs $5,000 to $12,000 cash-pay all-in, rising to $9,000 to $16,000 for a Lapiplasty 3D correction because of the implant system; plantar fasciitis release $3,500 to $7,000; ankle fracture fixation $9,000 to $20,000; ankle fusion or replacement $20,000 to $45,000. At accredited Colombian hospitals: bunion $2,200 to $4,500, plantar fascia release $1,200 to $2,500, ankle fusion $7,000 to $13,000. "Cinderella" cosmetic foot surgery is a marketing label for bunionectomy plus toe shortening and runs $8,000 to $20,000 in the US.
Foot and ankle surgery is a large, fragmented market: podiatric surgeons, orthopedic foot-and-ankle specialists, and general orthopedists all operate, and pricing varies with which one you see and where. This guide gives 2026 ranges for the procedures people search most.
Typical 2026 prices
Foot and ankle procedures
All-in typical 2026, cash-payBunion surgery: why three prices for one problem
A traditional bunionectomy cuts and shifts the first metatarsal (chevron, scarf, or Akin osteotomy) and fixes it with a screw or two. Lapiplasty and similar systems fuse the first tarsometatarsal joint with a plate construct to correct the deformity in three planes; the argument is lower recurrence and earlier weight-bearing, at roughly double the implant cost. A minimally invasive percutaneous bunionectomy is a third option with smaller incisions and a price similar to the traditional operation. Which one is right depends on the deformity and the surgeon's training, not the marketing; ask each surgeon why they favor their technique for your foot.
Cinderella surgery and cosmetic foot procedures
"Cinderella surgery" is a cosmetic-practice label, not a medical procedure. It usually bundles bunionectomy, hammertoe correction, and toe shortening to fit narrower shoes, sometimes with fat grafting to the ball of the foot. Foot and ankle societies caution against surgery on pain-free feet: complication rates are the same as for medical indications, and a stiff or painful toe is a worse outcome than a wide foot. If you have bunion pain, the same operations are medically indicated and often insurance-covered in the US.
Podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon
In the US both podiatric surgeons (DPM, board-certified by ABFAS) and orthopedic foot-and-ankle surgeons (MD/DO, fellowship-trained) perform these procedures; podiatric pricing is often somewhat lower for forefoot work, while complex ankle reconstruction and replacement is concentrated in orthopedics. In Colombia, foot and ankle surgery is an orthopedic subspecialty; verify SCCOT membership and ReTHUS registration.
What changes the number
- Both feet at once: 60 to 80 percent of the single-foot price for the second foot, but a harder recovery.
- Ambulatory center vs hospital: almost all forefoot surgery is outpatient; 30 to 50 percent saving.
- Regional anesthesia: ankle blocks with sedation cost less than general and are standard for forefoot work.
- Hardware: screws are cheap, plate systems and ankle implants are not.
- Boots, casts, and physical therapy are outside most quotes.
Travel and recovery
Forefoot surgery: 5 to 7 days in Colombia, fly home in a boot. Ankle fusion or replacement: 10 to 14 days and a longer non-weight-bearing period at home. Fractures are not travel procedures.
Credentials to verify before booking in Colombia. Surgeon license on ReTHUS, the national health-professional registry; specialty board membership (SCCOT for orthopedics and traumatology, ACC for general surgery, SCCP for plastic surgery); and the name of the hospital where the procedure is performed. JCI accreditation applies to hospitals, never to standalone clinics.
Get an itemized foot or ankle quote
Send X-rays or photos and the procedure. Our Medellín-based team routes to foot-and-ankle orthopedic surgeons at accredited Colombian hospitals and returns itemized quotes within 48 hours.
Request quotesWhatsApp usFrequently Asked
How much does bunion surgery cost?
$5,000 to $12,000 US cash-pay all-in for a traditional bunionectomy, $9,000 to $16,000 for Lapiplasty; $2,200 to $7,000 in Colombia depending on technique.
How much does Lapiplasty cost?
$9,000 to $16,000 in the US, with the branded plate system a large share of the price. Comparable 3D tarsometatarsal fusion in Colombia runs $4,000 to $7,000.
How much does Cinderella foot surgery cost?
$8,000 to $20,000 in the US for both feet, $4,000 to $8,500 in Colombia. Foot surgery societies advise against operating on pain-free feet for cosmetic reasons.
How much does plantar fasciitis surgery cost?
$3,500 to $7,000 US cash-pay; $1,200 to $2,500 in Colombia. Surgery is a last resort after 6 to 12 months of conservative care, which resolves most cases.
How much does ankle surgery cost?
Arthroscopy $5,000 to $10,000; fracture fixation $9,000 to $20,000; fusion $20,000 to $40,000; replacement $25,000 to $45,000 in the US. Colombia runs 55 to 65 percent lower across the board.