Dr. Andreas Toepfer is Head of Foot and Ankle Surgery and Head of Orthopaedic Oncology at the Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Switzerland, and Privatdozent (associate Professor) at the Technical University of Munich.
The Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen is one of Switzerland’s largest hospitals and an established level I trauma centre. Its Department of Orthopaedics has a distinguished heritage: Maurice E. Müller led the department from 1960 to 1967 and helped establish St. Gallen as an internationally influential centre of modern orthopaedic and trauma surgery; he was succeeded by Bernhard “Hardi” Weber, another major figure in the development of fracture fixation (Danis-Weber Classification) and orthopaedic surgery.
Dr. Toepfer’s clinical and scientific work focuses on minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery, reconstructive hindfoot surgery, foot and ankle tumours, and musculoskeletal oncology. He has authored an extensive body of peer-reviewed publications, invited reviews, and book chapters, with particular emphasis on percutaneous hallux valgus and calcaneal surgery, surgical learning curves, and the development of innovative operative techniques.
His research has been presented at numerous international meetings, including AOFAS, EFAS, MIFAS, DAF, and national foot and ankle societies across Europe and the Americas, where he regularly serves as invited faculty, moderator, chairman, and course instructor.
His journey into minimally invasive foot surgery began with a course led by Joel Vernois in 2014, which initiated his longstanding commitment to advancing MIS through clinical practice, research, and structured education.
He is also a Board Member of the Swiss Foot and Ankle Society (SFAS) and is actively involved in international scientific committees, editorial activities, peer review, and postgraduate surgical training.
For many years, Dr. Toepfer has regularly welcomed international surgeons from around the world for clinical observerships in St. Gallen. These visits provide opportunities for direct exchange, case-based discussion, and practical insight into contemporary foot and ankle surgery, particularly minimally invasive techniques.
