Meet Austin's Double Board-Certified Foot & Ankle Surgeon
Dr. Ricardo Chica, DPM, FACFAS is a double board-certified podiatric surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art medical and surgical foot and ankle care to patients of all ages throughout the Greater Austin area. He has been a partner at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists since 2017.
Dr. Chica is certified by both the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) in Foot Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM) — a dual distinction held by a select number of podiatric surgeons in the country, reflecting the highest level of expertise across both the surgical and medical management of foot and ankle conditions.
Board Certifications & Fellowship Status
- Board-Certified in Foot Surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS)
- Board-Certified in Podiatric Medicine by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM)
- Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (FACFAS)
Conditions Dr. Chica Treats in Austin
Sports Foot & Ankle Injuries
Advanced diagnosis and surgical management of athletic injuries
Bunions & Hammertoes
Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction and minimally invasive hammertoe correction
Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain
Conservative and surgical treatment tailored to your activity level
Plantar Warts
Swift® Microwave Therapy — the most advanced non-invasive wart treatment available
Ingrown Toenails
Expert conservative and surgical nail care for patients of all ages
Metatarsalgia & Ball of Foot Pain
Targeted diagnosis and multi-step treatment plans addressing the root cause
Diabetic Foot Care & Limb Salvage
Advanced wound care and surgical management to protect limb health
Pediatric Foot Conditions
Operative and non-operative management of foot and ankle conditions in children
Why Choose Dr. Chica for Your Foot & Ankle Care in Austin
Dr. Chica brings more than a decade of specialized surgical experience combined with a philosophy rooted in finding the root cause, not just the symptom. His approach means patients receive a comprehensive, multi-step treatment plan before surgery is ever considered. When surgery is the right answer, patients benefit from a surgeon with elite training and broad surgical privileges across Austin's major health systems.
Unique Expertise & Achievements
- Double board-certified by both ABFAS and ABPM — a distinction held by a select number of podiatric surgeons nationwide
- Surgical privileges at hospitals within both the St. David's and Ascension Seton health systems
- NCAA Division I sports medicine experience working with the athletic program at Fordham University
- Certified Lapiplasty® provider — performing the gold standard in 3D bunion correction surgery
- Certified Swift® Microwave Therapy provider for advanced plantar wart treatment
- Bilingual surgeon — native Spanish speaker serving Austin's large Hispanic community
- Pediatric trauma training at Cohen Children's Medical Center, a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center
- Advanced arthroscopy training through the International Foot and Ankle Foundation
Education & Training
Surgical Residency
Northwell Health – Long Island Jewish Medical Center - New Hyde Park, New York
Dr. Chica completed a comprehensive three-year surgical residency at one of the most respected podiatric training programs in the country, receiving graduated surgical education spanning simple forefoot procedures through complex reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery.
Key Training Highlights:
- Comprehensive training in elective and non-elective foot and ankle reconstructive surgery
- Complex trauma of the foot and ankle
- Ankle and rearfoot arthroscopy
- Sports medicine of the lower extremity
- Diabetic limb salvage
- Surgical correction of lower extremity deformities
Pediatric Trauma Rotation
Cohen Children's Medical Center - New Hyde Park, New York
Specialized rotation at a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, focused on both operative and non-operative management of pediatric foot and ankle conditions in one of the country's premier pediatric trauma environments.
NCAA Division I Sports Medicine
Fordham University Athletic Department - Bronx, New York
Gained extensive clinical sports medicine experience working directly with NCAA Division I athletes, managing acute and chronic foot and ankle injuries in a competitive sports setting.
Podiatric Medical Education
Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). Comprehensive four-year program combining didactic training and extensive clinical rotations. During his time at Temple, Dr. Chica served as a Medical Spanish Instructor and co-developed a clinical Spanish reference book used by medical students — an early demonstration of his commitment to underserved communities.
Undergraduate Education
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - Edinburg, Texas
Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Advanced Surgical Training
- AAFAO Comprehensive Course — Internal Fixation for Reconstructive Surgery and Trauma of the Foot and Ankle
- AAFAO Advanced Course — Internal Fixation for Reconstructive Surgery and Trauma of the Foot and Ankle
- International Foot and Ankle Foundation (IFAF) Arthroscopy Training — alongside nationally recognized foot and ankle surgeons
Professional Memberships & Affiliations
- American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS)
- American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- Texas Podiatric Medical Association (TPMA)
- American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS)
- American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM)
Bilingual Care — Se Habla Español
Dr. Chica is a native Spanish speaker and one of the only double board-certified podiatric surgeons in the Austin area offering fully bilingual care. For Spanish-speaking patients, this means more than comfort — it means complex diagnoses, surgical options, and treatment plans can be communicated clearly and accurately in your native language, without interpretation barriers.
His commitment to the Hispanic community began during his training, where he served as a Medical Spanish Instructor, co-developed a clinical reference book for medical students, and delivered community lectures on podiatric care and diabetes prevention to underserved populations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Chica
Ready to Experience Expert Foot & Ankle Care in Austin?
Don't let foot and ankle pain sideline you. Dr. Chica and our team are here to get you back on your feet and back to doing what you love.
Serving Austin, West Lake Hills, Bee Cave, Cedar Park, Round Rock, and surrounding Central Texas communities