Orthopedic specialist Dr. Marko Džapo has joined the IMC Priora team as an external collaborator for foot and ankle orthopedics. Minimally invasive surgical procedures of the foot and ankle – including arthroscopies and minimally invasive hallux (bunion) surgeries, for which Dr. Džapo is recognized throughout the region – will be the main focus of his work at Priora Hospital.
Foot and ankle surgery: a minimally invasive approach
Dr. Marko Džapo, a specialist in orthopedics and a subspecialist in traumatology of the locomotor system, is the founder and head of Hallux Orthopedics in Osijek. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in Osijek. He completed his specialization in orthopedics and traumatology at hospitals in Osijek and Vukovar, as well as at the Clinic for Orthopedics and Traumatology in Lovran. He has completed numerous professional trainings across Europe, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Davos, and Graz.
At Priora, he will apply his extensive experience through arthroscopic procedures and minimally invasive bunion surgeries. These are minimally invasive (arthroscopic) techniques for repairing cartilage or ligament damage in the ankle and correcting foot deformities (bunions), offering a significantly shorter recovery period compared to traditional open surgeries.
Arthroscopic procedures: significantly shorter recovery time
His expertise is often sought by athletes with ankle injuries and by patients diagnosed with bunions. “The significantly shorter recovery time is one of the greatest advantages of arthroscopic procedures. For athletes, this is extremely important as it directly impacts their careers. While recovery after open surgery may take three to four months or even longer, athletes who undergo ankle arthroscopy can start physical therapy as early as the second month after surgery,” explains Dr. Džapo.
Maintaining healthy movement is key to preserving joint function. Athletes, who expose their bodies to extreme strain, often experience joint injuries. Modern techniques such as arthroscopy allow for a faster and safer return to sports and daily activities after injury.
Bunions represent a foot deformity in which the big toe shifts outward toward the smaller toes, creating a painful bony bump on the inner side of the joint and causing secondary deformities of the smaller toes. Factors contributing to their development include heredity, flat feet and weak ligaments, inappropriate footwear, and gender – women are affected more often than men. In addition to causing pain and aesthetic discomfort, bunions can make walking and choosing shoes difficult, thereby reducing quality of life.
Both minimally invasive surgical methods performed by Dr. Marko Džapo are unique – he is the only surgeon offering these procedures not only in this part of Croatia but also across the region.
