When a foot or ankle problem needs more than conservative care, you want a surgeon who reaches for the operating room last, not first. At Kim Holistic Foot & Ankle Center, surgery is offered only when simpler measures have been tried and a procedure is genuinely the right next step — and it’s performed by a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon. Care is led by Dr. S. Don Kim, DPM, FACFAS, a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
Our surgeons treat a broad range of foot and ankle conditions. When surgery is indicated, common procedures include:
Most foot and ankle problems never need an operation. That’s why we start with the least invasive options that fit your diagnosis — footwear changes, orthotics, injections, bracing, and physical therapy — and only consider surgery when those have been given a fair trial and pain or dysfunction remains. If a procedure is recommended, we walk you through what it involves, what recovery looks like, and the alternatives, so the decision is a shared one. No two patients heal identically, and we don’t promise a specific outcome — what we promise is an honest assessment.
With more than 35 years of experience and over 46,000 patients treated, our team pairs surgical expertise with a conservative-first, whole-person philosophy. Dr. Kim is board-certified in foot and ankle surgery (FACFAS), and works alongside a team of specialists across every major area of podiatry. Patients rate the practice 4.9 on Google and 4.7 on Yelp. Learn more about our team’s training and credentials when you meet our doctors.
If you’ve been told you might need foot or ankle surgery — or conservative care hasn’t relieved your pain — a consultation is the place to start. Kim Holistic Foot & Ankle Center is at 701 E 28th St #111, Long Beach, CA 90806, serving Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, Seal Beach, and Los Alamitos. Call (562) 426-2551 or request an appointment to discuss your options. Athletes recovering from an injury can also start with our Long Beach sports podiatrist.
This page is for general information only and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. Whether surgery or any other treatment is appropriate for you can only be determined by an in-person evaluation with a licensed podiatrist, and individual results vary. Reviewed by Dr. S. Don Kim, DPM, FACFAS.
Most foot and ankle conditions improve without surgery, so start with a proper diagnosis and a trial of conservative care. Surgery is considered only when non-surgical options have been tried and pain or loss of function remains — and the decision is always made with you, not for you.
It means the surgeon has passed the certifying exams of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS), the certifying board for this specialty. Dr. Kim is also a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (FACFAS) — a separate designation that requires that board certification — so both credentials reflect verified training specific to foot and ankle surgery.
Recovery varies by procedure and by patient, and can range from a few weeks to a few months. Before any surgery, we explain the expected timeline, weight-bearing restrictions, and what your specific recovery will involve, so there are no surprises.
Coverage depends on your plan and the procedure, but medically necessary foot and ankle surgery is typically billed like other specialist care. Our office can help you understand your benefits before anything is scheduled.