Mr John McKinley

Mr John McKinley is a highly respected Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising exclusively in foot and ankle surgery, with a leading role in advancing this subspecialty across Scotland.

He completed all of his orthopaedic training in Edinburgh before undertaking advanced fellowship training in Melbourne, Australia, further refining his expertise in complex foot and ankle procedures. In 2007, he was appointed as a consultant at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, becoming the first consultant in Scotland dedicated primarily to foot and ankle surgery. He also provides specialist paediatric care at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children Edinburgh.

Mr McKinley holds key leadership roles, including Clinical Director for Orthopaedics in Edinburgh and Lead for Foot and Ankle Surgery in Lothian. He is actively involved with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, where he chairs a committee and contributes to shaping orthopaedic practice and training nationally.

His clinical expertise covers the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions, including bunions (hallux valgus), Morton’s neuroma, flatfoot and complex deformities, arthritis, ankle instability, Achilles tendon disorders, and sports injuries. He is highly experienced in performing total ankle replacements, offering an alternative to fusion where appropriate.

A pioneer of minimally invasive techniques in Scotland, Mr McKinley was among the first to adopt these approaches for bunion correction and Achilles tendon procedures, helping patients benefit from faster recovery, reduced pain, and improved cosmetic outcomes.

He also has a strong interest in sports injuries, treating elite athletes from organisations such as Scottish Rugby Union and Scottish Institute of Sport, tailoring treatment plans to support optimal recovery and return to performance.

In addition to his clinical work, Mr McKinley is deeply committed to education. He helped establish a national multidisciplinary foot and ankle group and is Program Director for the ChM in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, a collaboration between University of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He regularly trains surgeons and allied health professionals, contributing to the continued development of high-quality foot and ankle care across the UK.