Dr. Paul Switaj specializes in foot and ankle surgery. He was drawn to orthopedic surgery since it gives patients relief quickly and chose foot and ankle surgery since it allows him to work with a wide variety of patients who have many different conditions. Getting to know his patients as individuals is the most rewarding part of his job. He also likes the collegial atmosphere of orthopedics and working as part of a team to get his patients back to doing what they love.
As far back as he can remember, Dr. Switaj wanted to practice medicine. He always loved science and considered medical school a natural fit. After rotating through every specialty, he opted for orthopedics because it produces tangible results for patients in a short period of time. He was drawn to foot and ankle surgery for the variety of conditions he could treat including sports injuries, fractures, arthritis and tendon disorders.
Dr. Switaj is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Notre Dame and earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he received the John N. Delahay Award for Outstanding Achievement in Orthopaedic Surgery. He returned to the Midwest to complete his orthopedic surgery residency at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, where he was selected Chief Resident. This was followed by a fellowship at the internationally renowned Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore under the tutelage of surgeons Rebecca Cerrato, MD; John Campbell, MD; Clifford Jeng, MD; and Mark Myerson, MD.
As a foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Switaj enjoys the variability in his practice and the wide range of patients he interacts with every day – from children with painful flatfeet to grandmothers with ankle arthritis. Getting to know his patients as individuals is the most rewarding part of his job. He also likes the collegial atmosphere of orthopedics and working as part of a team to get his patients back to doing what they love.
He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. When not at work, Dr. Switaj spends as much time as possible with his wife and three young daughters. He also enjoys hiking, golf and tennis.
Education & Training
Mercy Medical Center, Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction, Fellowship
Northwestern University, Residency
Georgetown University, Medical Degree
University of Notre Dame, Bachelor’s Degree
Certifications
Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery
Hospital & Team Affiliations
Fair Oaks Hospital
Reston Hospital Center
Stone Springs
Team Physician, Westfield High School
Organizations & Awards
Voted Top Doctor by Washingtonian Magazine, 2023
Voted Top Doctor by Virginia Living Magazine 2022
John N. Delahay Award for Outstanding Achievement in Orthopaedic Surgery (Georgetown University School of Medicine)
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Resident Scholarship
Chief Resident, Northwestern University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Membership Committee Member
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Young Physicians Committee Member
Patient Testimonials
“Dr. Switaj and staff are always prompt and very professional. He explains exam findings and imaging studies in detail. Diagnosis and treatment options are explained. All questions are answered. As a retired nurse, communication and comfort level are important too.”
“Dr. Switaj is one of the nicest doctors I’ve ever met (I work with plenty). He was extremely personable and made me feel valued as soon as he walked in the door. I was able to connect with him off the bat and I felt safe in his care the whole appointment. He was clear and concise about my prognosis and treatment. Thank you so much Dr. Switaj, you were great!”
“I really appreciate all the care and attention I’ve gotten from OrthoVirginia. Dr. Switaj has been amazing and really followed through with my case, my injury, and I’m happy to say I’m doing a lot better and I would recommend him very highly.”
“Dr. Switaj is a super star. I look forward to having him as my orthopedic foot surgeon for the rest of my life. He has bedside manners and treats you like a human not just another patient.”
“Dr. Switaj was beyond excellent. He had great rapport with my 13 year old, listened to her complaints spent a good amount of time explaining his diagnosis and had excellent bedside manners! I would recommend Dr. Switaj and OrthoVirginia over and over again!”
Treatments
Achilles tendon rupture and tendonitis surgeries
Ankle and hindfoot reconstruction
Ankle arthroscopy
Ankle sprain and fracture surgeries
Arthritis (foot and ankle) surgeries
Bony stress reactions/stress fractures surgery
Broken collarbone surgery
Bunion correction
Cartilage reconstruction procedures
Cartilage restoration
Cartiva for hallux rigidus
Cheilectomy
Diabetic charcot reconstruction
Diabetic foot issues
Fixation of pathologic fractures
Foot and ankle – clubfoot, flatfoot
Foot and ankle surgery
Foot callus/corns surgery
Foot pain treatments
Foot ulcers and lesions
Fractures of the talus surgery
Geriatric orthopedics – fragility fracture care
Hammertoe repairs
Hand, wrist and elbow trauma
Heel pain treatments
Lisfranc fracture/dislocation surgery
Minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair
Minimally invasive bunion repair
Non-operative arthritis (foot and ankle) treatment
Post-surgical problem fractures – nonunion and malunion treatments
R.I.C.E. – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate
Shin splints treatment
Shockwave therapy
Tendon joint injections
Tenex/FAST procedures
Total ankle replacement
Video: Get to Know Dr. Switaj
As far back as he can remember, Dr. Switaj wanted to practice medicine. He always loved science and considered medical school a natural fit. After rotating through every specialty, he opted for orthopedics because it produces tangible results for patients in a short period of time. He was drawn to foot and ankle surgery for the variety of conditions he could treat including sports injuries, fractures, arthritis and tendon disorders.
Dr. Switaj is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Notre Dame and earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he received the John N. Delahay Award for Outstanding Achievement in Orthopaedic Surgery. He returned to the Midwest to complete his orthopedic surgery residency at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, where he was selected Chief Resident. This was followed by a fellowship at the internationally renowned Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore under the tutelage of surgeons Rebecca Cerrato, MD; John Campbell, MD; Clifford Jeng, MD; and Mark Myerson, MD.
As a foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Switaj enjoys the variability in his practice and the wide range of patients he interacts with every day – from children with painful flatfeet to grandmothers with ankle arthritis. Getting to know his patients as individuals is the most rewarding part of his job. He also likes the collegial atmosphere of orthopedics and working as part of a team to get his patients back to doing what they love.
He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. When not at work, Dr. Switaj spends as much time as possible with his wife and three young daughters. He also enjoys hiking, golf and tennis.
Mercy Medical Center, Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction, Fellowship
Northwestern University, Residency
Georgetown University, Medical Degree
University of Notre Dame, Bachelor’s Degree
Certifications
Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery
Fair Oaks Hospital
Reston Hospital Center
Stone Springs
Team Physician, Westfield High School
Voted Top Doctor by Washingtonian Magazine, 2023
Voted Top Doctor by Virginia Living Magazine 2022
John N. Delahay Award for Outstanding Achievement in Orthopaedic Surgery (Georgetown University School of Medicine)
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Resident Scholarship
Chief Resident, Northwestern University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Membership Committee Member
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Young Physicians Committee Member
“Dr. Switaj and staff are always prompt and very professional. He explains exam findings and imaging studies in detail. Diagnosis and treatment options are explained. All questions are answered. As a retired nurse, communication and comfort level are important too.”
“Dr. Switaj is one of the nicest doctors I’ve ever met (I work with plenty). He was extremely personable and made me feel valued as soon as he walked in the door. I was able to connect with him off the bat and I felt safe in his care the whole appointment. He was clear and concise about my prognosis and treatment. Thank you so much Dr. Switaj, you were great!”
“I really appreciate all the care and attention I’ve gotten from OrthoVirginia. Dr. Switaj has been amazing and really followed through with my case, my injury, and I’m happy to say I’m doing a lot better and I would recommend him very highly.”
“Dr. Switaj is a super star. I look forward to having him as my orthopedic foot surgeon for the rest of my life. He has bedside manners and treats you like a human not just another patient.”
“Dr. Switaj was beyond excellent. He had great rapport with my 13 year old, listened to her complaints spent a good amount of time explaining his diagnosis and had excellent bedside manners! I would recommend Dr. Switaj and OrthoVirginia over and over again!”
Achilles tendon rupture and tendonitis surgeries
Ankle and hindfoot reconstruction
Ankle arthroscopy
Ankle sprain and fracture surgeries
Arthritis (foot and ankle) surgeries
Bony stress reactions/stress fractures surgery
Broken collarbone surgery
Bunion correction
Cartilage reconstruction procedures
Cartilage restoration
Cartiva for hallux rigidus
Cheilectomy
Diabetic charcot reconstruction
Diabetic foot issues
Fixation of pathologic fractures
Foot and ankle – clubfoot, flatfoot
Foot and ankle surgery
Foot callus/corns surgery
Foot pain treatments
Foot ulcers and lesions
Fractures of the talus surgery
Geriatric orthopedics – fragility fracture care
Hammertoe repairs
Hand, wrist and elbow trauma
Heel pain treatments
Lisfranc fracture/dislocation surgery
Minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair
Minimally invasive bunion repair
Non-operative arthritis (foot and ankle) treatment
