Mr John McKinley

Mr McKinley is a highly respected Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising exclusively in foot and ankle surgery. He completed all of his surgical and orthopaedic training in Edinburgh before undertaking an additional year of advanced fellowship training in Melbourne with one of Australia’s leading foot and ankle surgeons.

Pioneering Foot & Ankle Specialist in Scotland

Appointed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in 2007, Mr McKinley became the first consultant in Scotland with a primary focus on foot and ankle surgery. He also provides specialist care for young people with complex foot and ankle conditions at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

As the Clinical Director for Orthopaedics in Edinburgh and the Lead for Foot and Ankle Surgery in Lothian, he plays a major role in shaping orthopaedic services regionally and nationally. He also chairs a committee at the Royal College of Surgeons and has been integral to the development and modernisation of foot and ankle services across Scotland.

Highly Experienced in Complex Foot & Ankle Surgery

Mr McKinley treats the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions, including:

• Bunions (hallux valgus)
• Morton’s neuroma
• Flatfoot and complex hindfoot deformities
• Arthritis of the foot and ankle
• Ankle instability and ligament injuries
• Achilles tendon disorders
• Sporting injuries of the foot and ankle

He regularly performs total ankle replacements, offering patients an alternative to ankle fusion when suitable.

Expert in Minimally Invasive Foot & Ankle Surgery

A pioneer of advanced techniques, Mr McKinley was among the first surgeons in Scotland to use minimally invasive approaches for:

• Bunion correction
• Achilles tendon problems

He continues to perform these modern procedures regularly, offering patients quicker recovery, less discomfort, and improved cosmetic outcomes.

Sports Injury Specialist

With a strong interest in sports-related foot and ankle injuries, Mr McKinley provides care for elite athletes and performance professionals. He has extensive experience treating players from:

• Scottish Rugby Union
• Scottish Premiership football clubs
• Scottish Ballet
• Scottish Institute of Sport

His understanding of the demands of high‑performance activity enables him to deliver tailored care with a focus on optimal recovery and return to sport.

Leader in Surgical Education & Training

Mr McKinley is deeply involved in surgical education and multidisciplinary collaboration. He:

• Helped establish a national multidisciplinary foot and ankle group
• Founded and serves as Program Director for the ChM in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, a distance-learning degree developed jointly by the University of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

He regularly trains surgeons and allied health professionals, supporting the ongoing development of high‑quality foot and ankle care across the UK.

NHS Practice

Mr McKinley’s NHS practice is based at:

• Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
• Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh

He provides comprehensive, patient‑centred care for both adults and adolescents with foot and ankle conditions.