Matthew Buchanan, M.D.

Foot and Ankle Specialist

Dr. Matthew Buchanan, foot and ankle specialist, completed his Bachelor of Science degree at Duke University, earning the Dean’s List Award. He received his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine where he was awarded the Department of Surgery Jonasson Prize for “Exceptional Performance and Dedication to Surgery”. Dr. Buchanan completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at West Virginia University where he served as Chief Resident. He then went on to pursue further fellowship training in foot and ankle at the prestigious Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Dr. Buchanan is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who has dedicated his practice to the care of the foot and ankle. He has received numerous accolades, including selection by his peers as a Washingtonian Magazine Top Doctor as well as an Arlington Magazine Top Vote Getter: Best Orthopaedic Surgeon. Dr. Buchanan was an orthopaedic foot and ankle consultant to The Washington Ballet and served as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Georgetown University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

He has extensive experience in Total Ankle Replacements, minimally invasive surgery of the foot and ankle, bunion correction, sports injuries, cartilage restoration, and traumatic injuries. His current clinical interests include minimizing the recovery time associated with foot and ankle surgery. He specializes in Total Ankle Replacement and is one of a select group of Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons who has received certification to perform four FDA-approved Total Ankle Replacements.

Dedicated to research, Dr. Buchanan has authored multiple book chapters on foot and ankle topics including Minimally Invasive Ankle Surgery, Flat Feet and Sesamoid injuries. His research articles have been published in leading medical journals and have described the optimum technique to treat traumatic midfoot injuries, studied a leading method of ankle cartilage repair, analyzed the effects of smoking on bone healing and examined pain after foot and ankle surgery. He currently serves on the editorial board for Footeducation.com and has served as an editor for Foot and Ankle International and Foot and Ankle Specialist. Dr. Buchanan holds a patent on a unique FDA-approved surgical plate designed to speed recovery for moderate to severe bunion deformities.

Prior to his career in the DC area, he practiced in the mountains of Colorado where he served as Chief of Surgery at St. Anthony’s Summit Medical Center and took primary orthopaedic call for the six major ski resorts in that area (Vail, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Copper, A-Basin).  In 2007, he left the mountains of Colorado for the DC area in order to focus his practice exclusively on the care of the foot and ankle.

An active sports enthusiast who loves the great outdoors, Dr. Buchanan understands a patient’s desire for a quick recovery.  He is an avid cyclist who organized and completed a 3300-mile self-supported, cross-country bicycle ride to support Children’s Miracle Network. He enjoys endurance mountain biking and has completed numerous 24-hour mountain bike races as well as the Leadville 100. Dr. Buchanan is an accomplished whitewater kayaker and has navigated multiple Class V rivers. An Eagle Scout and father of 2 scouts, he loves backpacking, backcountry skiing and camping. Dr. Buchanan and his wife, Angela, are raising their 2 sons in Arlington.

Education

BS of Science, Duke University
MD, The Ohio State University

Residency

West Virginia University

Fellowship

Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Center, Columbus Ohio

Professional Distinctions

Washingtonian Magazine Top Doctor
Arlington Magazine Top Vote Getter: Best Orthopedic Surgeon
Foot and Ankle Consultant for Washington Ballet
Assistant Clinical Professor, Georgetown University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Foot and Ankle Consultant for Virginia Hospital Center Wound Healing Center
Inventor of FDA-approved Bunion Correction Device allowing immediate weight bearing after Bunion surgery
Author of Book Chapters on Minimally Invasive Ankle Surgery, Sesamoid Injuries and Flat Feet
Author of Research Articles on Ankle Cartilage Repair, Ankle Ligament Repair, Post-Operative pain and LisFranc Injuries
Numerous TV appearances and Radio Interviews discussing Foot and Ankle Conditions
Invited Faculty/Speaker at National Orthopaedic Surgery Meetings
Advanced Certificate, Total Ankle Replacement
Current Editor for FootEducation.com
Past Editor for Foot and Ankle International and Foot and Ankle Specialist
Diplomate, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Member, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society

Areas of Treatment

Foot and Ankle Surgery
Trauma Surgery
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Bunion and Hammertoe Correction
Arthroscopic Surgery
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

Areas of Specialization

Total Ankle Replacement
Complex Traumatic Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
Minimally Invasive Bunion Correction Surgery
Minimally Invasive Osteotomies for Flatfoot Correction
Arthroscopic Treatment of Foot and Ankle Conditions
Flatfoot Reconstruction
Cartilage Repair and Regeneration Surgery
Complex Ankle Ligament and Tendon Repair and Reconstruction
Diabetic Limb Salvage

Special Procedures/Techniques

Prophecy Infinity/Inbone/Invision Total Ankle Replacement
PARS Minimally Invasive Achilles Tendon Repair Techniques
Cartiva Surgery for Hallux Rigidus/Cartilage Replacement
Topaz Minimally Invasive Surgery for Plantar Fasciitis
High Intensity Shockwave Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
Minimally Invasive Fracture Repair
Forefoot Plantar Plate Repair
Cartilage Damage Repair using DeNovo, Cartiform, Biocartilage
Advanced Wound Healing Techniques
Tendon Transfers for Footdrop

Dr Buchanan was a contributing author for “Essential Foot and Ankle Surgical Techniques

Dr. Buchanan was featured in HealthScope Magazine’s “Ask The Doctor”. Read More >>

Dr. Buchanan recently gave a talk on “Treatment of OCD Lesions of the Talus with Microfracture” at the 8th Annual Extremity Summit at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, WV

Before and After xrays showing removal of an Os Trigonum in a Ballet Dancer with Posterior Ankle Impingement Syndrome

Before and After Operative Photos showing repair of torn Peroneal Tendons

Before and After bunion correction using the Lapidus Procedure.

This is a Sports Medicine case where a tennis player suffered a dislocation of the peroneal tendons.

These operative pictures show the tendons dislocated, the tendons reduced back into proper position, the torn retinaculum, the suture anchors in position and the final repair.

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

Patient Testimonials

I don’t know whether you remember operating on me, or not. It was March 21, 2006 when you inserted a rod into my leg after multiple fractures of my tibia and fibula. At the time you told me and my uncle Her (who is also an orthopedic surgeon) that it was one of the worst injured legs you had seen. Well, its 13 years later and I was thinking about the wonders of ortho surgery. I just wanted to tell you that I had a very rapid recovery and was biking four months later. I resumed skiing the next year, when I returned to Vail in order to complete my run. As you suggested I no longer race and avoid ungroomed slopes. I’m now 68 years old, and still skiing and biking. Two summers ago I completed a 52 mile bike ride and this January I skied the Alps in Italy. All this was because of how well you operate on me. I had rehab back home near Chicago, and for a while, at least, they were using my x-rays in lectures at Northwestern Med. Once again, thanks for what you did for me.

– Marvin Rubenstein

Excellent Doctor. Thanks for everything.

Dr. Buchanan really seems to know his stuff. He has a great bed side manner and is very easy to talk to. Makes you feel at ease and reassures you of any concerns you have. Great Service!

Dr Buchanan is an excellent doctor who is easy to talk with. Though he is highly skilled, he does not seem to be the least bit arrogant. I feel confident that with his expertise I am getting the best care possible. I feel like he is a caring person who respects me as a person, and that is important to me.

Very professional, very informative, very polite, very appreciative of his concerns, and VERY appreciative for his help.

Dr. Buchanan is the BOMB!!! In a good way :).  He is a very skilled surgeon, approachable, knowledgeable, and puts me at ease. Highly recommend him.

Dr Buchanan is a very good Doctor. When I had foot surgery and till now has been at least 4 months and everything he told me about the surgery had been as he said. He listens to you and explains these do you can understand. I would recommend his services to others.

Dr. Buchanan is an awesome doctor!!!

I really liked Dr. Buchanan. He really helped me. Very thoughtful and caring about my situation. An excellent doctor!