Fusszentrum Basel: Prof Valderrabano – Specialist in Foot and Ankle Surgery in Basel (Switzerland)
Treatment focus
- Arthritis surgery
- Joint-preserving surgery (cartilage reconstruction, osteotomy)
- Prosthetics (joint replacement)
- Foot and ankle surgery
- Sports orthopaedics / traumatology
- Reconstruction of post-traumatic conditions
Contact
SWISS ORTHO CENTER
Pain Clinic Basel
Hirschgaesslein 11 – 15, CH-4010 Basel
P: +41 61 295 88 80 F: +41 61 295 89 74
Consultation Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 1:00 pm and 2:00 – 5:00 pm

Medical Range
Range of Diagnostic Services
- Functional investigation of all joints
- X-ray imaging, MRT, CT, SPECT-CT
- Minimally invasive arthroscopy
Range of Therapeutic Services
- Surgery for arthritis:
joint-preserving surgery: osteotomy (mechanical axis correction), cartilage reconstruction, cartilage transplantation
Prosthetics:
joint replacement using full prostheses, partial prostheses - Foot and ankle surgery:
arthritis treatment: osteotomy, upper ankle joint prosthesis, cartilage damage, ligament reconstruction, bone fracture fixation, malalignment correction (talipes valgus, fallen arches, hallux valgus, hallux varus), calcaneal spur, diabetic foot, complex post-traumatic conditions - Knee surgery:
cruciate ligament and meniscus injuries, arthritis, cartilage reconstruction, prosthetics (primary and revision), patellar surgery - Hip surgery:
arthritis surgery, hip prosthetics, femoral neck, femoral or acetabular fractures, luxation of the hip joint, discomfort due to incarceration (impingement), ruptured tendons, arthritis - Spinal damage:
disc prolapse, arthritis, scoliosis, kyphosis (curvatures of the spine) - Treatments in the shoulder / hand area:
tennis and golfer’s elbow (epicondylitis), avulsion of the biceps tendon rupture, osteochondrosis dissecans, osteoarthritis (arthritis), bony fracture, luxation (shoulder luxation), nerve compression syndromes (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome) - Orthopaedics of the entire musculoskeletal system (conservative / surgical)
- Traumatology of the entire musculoskeletal system (conservative / surgical)
- Sports orthopaedics / traumatology:
treatment of sportsmen for complaints and accident-related damage to the musculoskeletal system - Reconstruction of post-traumatic conditions
More Information
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Prof Dr Dr phil Victor Valderrabano is a specialist in orthopedics and traumatology in Basel and an internationally renowned expert in foot and ankle surgery. At SWISS ORTHO CENTER – Fusszentrum Basel, he treats patients with disorders, injuries, and deformities of the foot and ankle to the highest medical standards. Since January 2015, Prof Valderrabano has led the orthopedic and traumatology department at the Schmerzklinik Basel, a clinic within the Swiss Medical Network. In addition to foot surgery, his core areas of expertise include osteoarthritis surgery, sports orthopedics, and reconstructive orthopedics.
SWISS ORTHO CENTER – Orthopedic Diagnosis and Treatment at the Highest Level
Prof Valderrabano is known beyond Switzerland’s borders as an internationally recognized specialist in foot surgery, orthopedics, and traumatology. He has many years of experience in arthrosis, sports medicine, and foot orthopedics. The SWISS ORTHO CENTER at the Pain Clinic Basel is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to meet the high standards of the orthopedic specialist, ensuring that patients receive the best possible individualized orthopedic diagnosis and treatment.
State-of-the-Art Orthopedic Diagnostic Procedures
The ORTHO CENTER at the Pain Clinic for Orthopedics in Basel is equipped with the latest high-tech devices, enabling safe and rapid diagnosis of orthopedic problems. In addition to standard examination methods such as X-rays and ultrasound, the clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art imaging techniques, including SPECT-CT, MRI, computed tomography, and DEXA bone density testing. Minimally invasive arthroscopy is also part of the range of services. Last but not least, the orthopedics clinic in Basel performs laboratory analyses important for musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis.
A Wide Range of Orthopedic Treatments
The SWISS ORTHO CENTER provides a full range of therapeutic services in the fields of orthopedics and traumatology, whether conservative or surgical. In addition to its focus areas of foot, osteoarthritis, and sports orthopedics, the clinic specializes orthopedic prostheses and joint replacement, along with spinal disorders. Knee and hip surgery, as well as treatments for the shoulder and hand, are among the services offered by Orthopedics Basel.
Top-Notch Orthopedic Care for all Types of Insurances in Basel
The SWISS ORTHO CENTER accepts all types of insurance coverage: health, accident, standard, semi-private, private, and self-payer. Patients can schedule an appointment by phone or online without a doctor’s referral, or, in urgent cases, be seen without an appointment and with a short waiting time.
Prof Valderrabano's Areas of Expertise
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are usually accompanied by pain and limited mobility, whether the foot or the spine is affected. This significantly impairs patients' quality of life. At Orthopädie Basel, Prof Valderrabano has made it his mission to help his patients regain their quality of life and functional capacity.
Osteoarthritis Surgery
In addition to orthopedics and traumatology of the entire musculoskeletal system, Prof Valderrabano specializes in particular in osteoarthritis surgery. Two approaches are available: joint-preserving therapy and joint replacement. Thanks to his many years of medical practice and ongoing professional development, this orthopedic specialist performs both procedures skillfully and safely.
Joint-Preserving Orthopedic Surgery
Joint-preserving measures, provided they are effective, always take precedence over joint replacement surgery for Prof Valderrabano and his team. In joint-preserving surgery, the osteoarthritis expert uses state-of-the-art technology to reconstruct or transplant damaged cartilage using minimally invasive techniques. In some cases, the joint can be preserved through surgical cartilage reconstruction. Depending on the initial condition, various procedures for cartilage reconstruction are used in osteoarthritis surgery. These range from removing frayed cartilage fragments to transplanting repair tissue that can compensate for cartilage damage. The leg axis, and therefore the load on the cartilage surfaces, can also be corrected through an osteotomy.
Artificial Joint Replacement
If the cartilage is severely worn across a large area, the joint is usually replaced with an artificial joint. Prof Valderrabano can help in this situation too, using total or partial prostheses to restore mobility in the affected joint and, in turn, improve the patient’s quality of life. When it comes to prostheses and joint replacement, Prof Valderrabano is internationally recognized as a leader. Thanks to his studies in biomechanics, he always keeps the strain on the axes in mind. When he implants a joint, he does so not only with the knowledge of a surgeon, but also with the insights of a physicist or biomechanics expert. If this is not considered, the prosthesis is subjected to incorrect loading from the start, which can cause pain, and lead to loosening. That is because, in most cases, it is not simply a matter of inserting a prosthesis, but of restoring the entire mechanical system. Based on his expertise, he has developed a novel ankle joint prosthesis in collaboration with American colleagues.
Basel Foot Center – Specialists in Foot Orthopedics and Foot Surgery
Foot and ankle surgery and the treatment of sports injuries in the foot and ankle are also among his areas of expertise. This specialization has made him a sought-after expert in the world of sports. Athletes from all over the world regularly seek his help. The range of treatments in the field of foot and ankle surgery includes:
- Ligament reconstructions
- Fracture stabilization
- Surgical correction of misalignments
- Ankle osteoarthritis surgery (osteotomies, prosthetics)
- Forefoot deformities (hallux surgery)
- Diabetic foot conditions
Sports Orthopedics - Many Well-Known Athletes are Among Prof Valeriano’s' Patients
Athletes, in particular, place high demands on their musculoskeletal system. Throughout his career, Prof Valderrabano has successfully treated many renowned athletes for sports injuries. This includes, in particular, the treatment of foot and ankle injuries, such as ligament tears and cartilage lesions, along with knee injuries including cruciate ligament tears, meniscus lesions, and ligament ruptures. However, inflammation, joint dislocations, and fractures can also occur in sports-related accidents. As with all his treatments, the renowned orthopedic surgeon in Basel places particular emphasis here on the optimal restoration of bones, ligaments, and joints.
Outstanding Orthopedic Surgeon in Switzerland
Prof Valderrabano is one of Switzerland’s leading medical experts in orthopedics and traumatology. Since 1996, he has been involved in numerous research projects in biomechanics, osteoarthritis, cartilage and ligament injuries, along with muscular rehabilitation. In addition to numerous awards for outstanding scientific achievements, he is also actively involved in the education and training of young doctors and colleagues. In 2009, he was appointed professor of orthopedics and traumatology at the Universitätsspital Basel.
President of the Society for Orthopedic and Traumatological Sports Medicine
Prof Valderrabano’s fields of special interest include human biomechanics and sports injuries. In 2003, he completed advanced training in sports medicine and earned his second doctoral degree (Dr phil.) in biomechanics from the University of Calgary (Canada). Since 2012, he has served as president of the Society of Orthopedic and Traumatological Sports Medicine, the world’s second-largest association of leading sports physicians in orthopedics and traumatology.
The Well-Being of the Patient is the Top Priority
Whether the treatment is surgical or conservative, Prof Valderrabano always prioritizes each patient’s well-being in his orthopedic care. His ultimate goal is to provide every patient with the best possible treatment for their medical condition. If you, as an international patient, need assistance with accommodations, travel arrangements, medical interpreters, or other services, the International Service will be happy to assist you personally.
You can visit Prof Valderrabano’s website here.
Curriculum Vitae
| 1993-1999 | Studies in Human Medicine, University of Zurich |
| 1996-1997 | “Doctor of Medicine”, Zurich Medical Faculty, University of Zurich |
| 1999-2005 | Further studies as a Specialist in Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology of the musculoskeletal system, FMH, University Hospital, Basel, Davos Hospital, Orthopaedic Department University of Calgary |
| 2002-2003 | Additional further training in sports medicine |
| 2003-2005 | “Philosophy Doctor / Ph.D.” in Biomechanics, Human Performance Laboratory, Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Canada |
| 2006 | Post-doctoral studies / Venia Docendi (Assistant Lecturer) in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Medical Faculty, University of Basel |
| 2009 | Professor of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Medical Faculty, University of Basel |
| 2009-2014 | Orthopaedics Consultant, University Clinic, Basel, University Hospital, Basel |
| 2012-2014 | President of the Society for Orthopaedic Traumatologic Sports Medicine (GOTS) |
| Since 2014 | President of the EFAS Research Foundation |
| Since 2015 | Chief Physician SWISS ORTHO CENTER Basel, Head of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Pain Clinic, Basel, Genolier Swiss Medical Network GSMN |
| Since 2016 | Board Member of Directors of International Bone Research Society IBRA, Board Member of European Foot & Ankle Society |
| 2019-2021 | President SWISS FOOT and ANKLE SOCIETY SFAS |
Extras
- International Service: Management for international patients
- Languages: German, English, Spanish, French, Italian
Transport Connections
| Basel SBB Railway Station | 0,5 km |
| Basel Euroairport | 11 km |
| Zurich airport | 87 km |
Information about Basel
The city of Basel is geographically located in the far north-west of Switzerland, in the border triangle between Germany, France and Switzerland. It is the third largest city in the country and lies directly on the River Rhine. Basel nestles on both sides of the Rhine and is divided into Grossbasel on the left bank and Kleinbasel on the right bank. Basel is considered the health centre of north-western Switzerland on the Upper Rhine.




