DR KHAIRUL FAIZI MOHAMMAD
BMedSci(Hons), BMBS(Nottingham), MRCS(Edinburgh), MSOrth(UKM)

Dr Khairul completed his A Levels at Radley College in Oxford and read medicine at the University of Nottingham Medical School in 1991. He continued his post graduate training in the East Yorkshire region and gained the MRCS in 2000. Upon returning to Malaysia, Dr Khairul obtained the Masters in Orthopaedics in 2005 and was the senior lecturer in Advance Trauma, Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Dr Khairul is registered with the National Specialist Registry and Malaysian Orthopaedic Association. He sits on the Councils for the Malaysian Foot and Ankle Society and the AO Trauma Asia Pacific (Malaysia).

Dr Khairul had presented and published extensively in Malaysia and abroad. He believes in a balance between compassionate patient care with unparallel evidence based medical treatment and technology.

Dr Khairul founded the Kuala Lumpur Foot Ankle Clinic in 2010 where he now works full time.

 
1. What makes a sub-specialized foot and ankle surgeon different from a general orthopedic surgeon? 

A sub-specialized foot and ankle surgeon has completed dedicated fellowship training specifically focused on the complex biomechanics of the 26 bones and 33 joints in the foot. Unlike general orthopedists, a dedicated specialist routinely performs advanced reconstructive procedures, delicate arthroscopies, complex trauma fixations, and secondary revision surgeries. 

2. When is surgery required for a Lisfranc (midfoot) injury, and what are the treatment options? 

Lisfranc surgery is required when midfoot ligaments are ruptured or bones are displaced, causing joint instability or arch collapse. Treatment options include open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with bridge plating to stabilize the tarsometatarsal joints, or primary midfoot arthrodesis (fusion) for severe articular cartilage destruction. 

3. What is the difference between ankle arthrodesis (fusion) and ankle replacement, and how is the decision made?

Ankle arthrodesis permanently fuses the tibia and talus to eliminate severe arthritis pain, offering high durability for active, heavy-demand lifestyles. Ankle replacement preserves joint motion by replacing damaged joint surfaces with metallic and polyethylene implants, making it ideal for older patients seeking preserved gait fluidity without stressing adjacent joints. 

4. How do I know if a recurrent ankle sprain has developed into chronic ankle instability, and when is lateral ligament reconstruction necessary?

Chronic ankle instability occurs when repeated sprains cause persistent ligament laxity, causing the ankle to give way during daily or athletic activities. Surgery, such as an anatomical lateral ligament reconstruction (Broström-Gould procedure), is recommended when structured physical therapy fails to restore dynamic balance, mechanical joint alignment, and functional stability. 

5. What is a complex pilon (tibial plafond) fracture, and why is stage-based surgical fixation critical for recovery?

A complex pilon fracture is a high-energy traumatic injury where the bottom of the shinbone (distal tibia) crushes into the weight-bearing ankle joint. Staged surgical treatment—initial temporary external fixation followed by delayed definitive open reduction—is critical to allow severe soft-tissue swelling and skin blisters to resolve before placing internal plates and screws.