Philip Basile, DPM

I usually don’t write reviews often but I want anyone who is seeking a foot and ankle surgeon to look no further and go see Dr. Basile located at Crimson Foot and Ankle Specialists, Cambridge, MA. Briefly my left foot was flat due to bad genes and an injury that didn’t tear the muscle but had lost its elasticity and bothered me when I was on my feet for long periods of time, also didn’t like the fact that my shoes didn’t fit well. I went on two different consultations at very reputable orthopedic surgeons and neither encourage the surgery and was left with the feeling they were uncomfortable with what needed to be done. I came across Dr. Basile on the internet while searching for amazing foot Dr’s and made an appointment for a consultation, at the appointment he examined my foot, with confidence told me what needed to be done and that he’s done hundreds. Dr. Basile was straight forward told me it was invasive and I would need to make arrangements with having help for the first week or two. I was so excited that I finally found the surgeon that I could trust to do the surgery. I knew the surgery was intense so my first question was what could I do as a patient to help, he showed me some stretches to do and I planned the surgery for 6 months out after the holidays. I gave the kids each a list of chores that they were responsible for and my mother and boyfriend did the rest for a week or two. It has been almost five months from the date of the surgery and I am so glad I did it, I’m back at the gym 3 – 4 x a week, jogging one or two days a week approximately ½ mile maybe a little more and wearing 2 – 3 inch heels for a couple of hours at a time comfortably, I also eat healthy. Was it a lot of work? absolutely, I push myself to do more and sometimes it still gets sore and a little swollen but I work through it and ice it at the end of the day. Dr. Basile did an Arch Reconstruction with Calcaneal Osteotomy plates and screws (heel realignment, ACL lengthening, bunionectomy and a mid-​foot 1^st Cuneiform Arthrodesis with screws basically made me a brand new normal functioning foot. The bottom line is Dr. Basile is an outstanding surgeon, I also did my part with preparing and pushing myself even when I didn’t want to. The staff is great!, appointments were always on time and pleasant. Dr. Basile is professional and down to earth with a sense of humor. If your looking for miracles call on god but if your willing to go to the best and do your part as a patient then look no further.

I had a 5 star experience with Dr. Basile and with his staff. He is very kind, low key and has a quiet sense of humor. He listened carefully to my many questions and answered all of them clearly. I like the way he treated me and the way he treats his colleagues and staff. It’s is a cheerful environment.
My biggest fear going in was post operative pain, so I rigidly followed his recommendations for taking pain medication and for managing swelling. Thanks to his advice I had no pain, minimal swelling and an easy recovery. When I saw the post operative x-​ray of my foot I was so impressed. Dr. Basile is an amazing surgeon and I love my Crimson Foot.

Dr. Basile performed a surgery on my foot that I later found was absolutely unnecessary a he destroyed my foot. When I asked him on my last visit when I would be able to walk again he said: «It is an unsuccessful result and I can’t do anything else for you. Maybe you could good on a website XXX and find something that will help you.» And he left the office. It has been several years now. I can NO LONGER WALK. I used to be a hiker and believe me there is not a day since that last visit that I don’t think about that. I call him a BUTCHER but that is a flattery. Don’t go close to him if you don’t want to end up like me.
It is now May 2015 and I have turned into another person after his surgery. I have seen so many other surgeons and asked whether something could be done for my now totally deformed foot — nothing. I gained 60 lbs. because I can“t walk, I no longer do activities I so much loved to do. I basically don’t walk unless I absolutely have to. He completely changed my LIFE. If anybody wants to see my x-​rayes and of what he did to my foot you may contact me at

Basile came highly-​recommended from my doctor but I would not recommend him. He seems to have good reputation for reconstructive surgeries, bunion repair etc but going in for a minor infection issue, I was not treated with the customer service, care or attention that I would expect from a doctor. It is extremely hard to get an appointment with him to begin with and I think his office is hard to get to for someone without a car. And after all of that, my issue was treated as a non-​issue and they didn’t do anything but give bad advice and suggest I come back to see if they might do something extreme. I got much more sincere service, attention and authentic advice and treatment from another doctor who was able to tell right away what I had going on with my foot.

Have seen him three times. Yes, he runs on high octane, but he always answers my long stream of questions and takes care of the presenting problem. He is smart and I trust him.

I saw Dr. Basile for the first time maybe 15 or some odd years ago at BIDMC. Severe plantar fascitis. I am also overweight so I braced myself for the routine lecture. Once I found his office it was crazy in there. Very busy and there was a bit of a wait. I finally got in and bim bam boom, I was told I need a cortison shot and quick as a flash that is what I got. No lectures, no cynicism, no time for formalities. I liked him! I was anxious about it and asked questions which were answered in a friendly albeit harried manner. Drawers were being opened, bandages were being laid out, my foot was being felt up and placed in position. They weren’t fooling around. I was done in less than 10 minutes and back on the street. And guess what? No more plantar fascitis.
When I needed a toe spur removed I went back to Basile and he did the surgery. I’m an opera singer and I remember being asked to sing by Basile and the OR staff while on the table getting my toe cut open. I got applause and good drugs. Good times. I was prescribed these outrageously expensive orthotics which I had to be fitted for. After a long long long wait I finally got them and they were so uncomfortable to wear I wanted to throw them in the trash. My toe healed up well after the surgery.
THEN, years later I got plantar fascitis in the other foot from wearing those ugly Crocs on my feet. Things became urgent when I was about to go on vacation to Vegas and expected a lot of walking and standing in line. I decided to go back to Basile and this time it was different. It was a busy office just like before but this time is was an older more irritable Dr. Basile. Something about working at BIDMC turns people this way I guess. He looked right through me and told me to do heel exercises against a wall and soak my foot in ice. Now folks, by the time I get to the point where I’m willing to shell out a $ 25 copay you can pretty much be assured I’ve already tried everything in my means to avoid having to do so. Plus I was in a rush. I told him this but his arms were folded. No. They weren’t going to do anything and it seemed clear they wanted me to leave. Fine. I limped out of there, went to Vegas, rented a scooter, swam in the pool and didn’t walk on it for two weeks. It went away but I would have much rather ventured out on foot instead of becoming a tourist attraction on that scooter.
So there you have it. Basile is a good doctor. He won’t botch your surgery but if you feel like he may be giving you the brush off he probably is. Get a second opinion.

I just had my second bunion repair done by Dr. Basile and i am once again relieved and am enjoying a great recovery! He seems so patient and knowledgable; I trust him completely. My first surgery was more complicated as I also needed to have my achilles tendon cut to remove a heel spur. After that I was able to wear regular shoes (with backs) for the first time in years and was able to walk again as a form of exercise.
I follow his instructions of icing and elevation during recovery and at my age, 69, I look forward to a happy summer of golfing and walking the dogs.

I had a fairly extensive reconstructive surgery on my right foot this past January (2013). Peroneal tendon tears repaired, ankle ligaments repaired/​tightened, and my heal bone cut in half… repositioned, and screwed back together.
I am now two months post-​op and two weeks into my physical therapy. My physical therapist was thrilled to hear how much attention to detail Dr. Basile’s instructions and prep were. He made sure I was fully aware of the massive length of time it takes to fully recover from this type of surgery. I am a flight attendant and clearly, between the pressure in the cabin and turbulence, my job is VERY demanding on my feet and ankles.
I am so glad he took the time to prepare me for what recovery was/​is going to be like. Many surgeons care more about simply fixing you and sending you on your way. Not only did Dr. Basile go above and beyond in fixing my foot/​ankle but he also went above and beyond in making sure that I was mentally and emotionally prepared for the toll recovery can take.
I have little to no scar tissue, no nerve damage aside from a numb spot near the main surgery area (size of a nickel) that’s still numb but that’s ENTIRELY normal and will come back to normal over time.
My physical therapist has been really impressed with the strength my ankle is showing this early after surgery and has marveled at how well I’m healing after such an extensive surgery. I would recommend EVERYONE to go to see Dr. Basile. His staff is great too. The ladies that work there are so friendly, funny, and welcoming. I actually look forward to going for my follow-​up appointments.
Reading another review here, it honestly sounds like maybe someone got names confused. I’m not saying against the reviewer personally, but the description given doesn’t reflect Dr. Philip Basile of Crimson Foot and Ankle in any way. He’s always extremely professional, thorough, detailed, is friendly, and extremely nice.

Dr. Basile has been my podiatrist for 16 years; he has always been great with me. I agree that the experience at the Mount Auburn Walk-​In Clinic was always frustrating, long waits etc. Dr. Basile is now working out of another office called Associated Foot and Ankle Surgeons of New England on Concord Ave in Cambridge. The office experience there is far superior.

I was profoundly disappointed in my experience with Philip Basile. I saw him a year ago when he was working with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
I had been seen in the emergency room for severe foot pain following a 10-​foot fall while rock-​climbing and was given a referral to see Philip Basile.
When I got to my appointment in ¹⁰⁄₁₀ pain and on crutches, he barely looked at me, told me I’d be fine to return to work on Monday (I routinely walk up to 10 miles a day for my job and am required to lift and carry heavy items!), and asked his assistant to tape up my foot.
The taping was such an excruciating process that I cried the whole time as the assistant apologized and suggested that maybe I could see a different doctor or go to a different practice altogether.
When I begged Philip Basile to please take into consideration that I too am a medical professional and *know* my foot is not «fine» despite the x-​rays he wouldn’t hear anything of it. I asked him to write me a note explaining why I couldn’t return to work right away. He refused.
I returned to the emergency room that same night and was told I had a torn plantar fascia. I was given a referral to another fantastic doctor who listened to my concerns and helped me every step of the way in my 3 month recovery process.
PLEASE go to a different podiatrist. Or better yet, an orthopedic MD.