Meet Dr. Adam McDonald, DPM, FACFAS

A native of Waynesville, North Carolina, Dr. Adam McDonald, DPM, FACFAS, has returned to his home state to provide comprehensive foot and ankle care to the community that shaped him. Now serving as a surgical physician at Cone Health Triad Foot & Ankle Center, Dr. McDonald brings advanced training and expertise to his practice, blending established principles of podiatric medicine with today’s highly specialized and innovative treatment approaches.

Why Podiatry?

Dr. McDonald’s journey into podiatry began with a lifelong fascination for how movement affects overall health. Growing up active in the mountains of western North Carolina, he saw firsthand how foot and ankle injuries could sideline even the most active people. He was drawn to podiatry because it blends biomechanics, surgery, and long-term patient relationships. For him, helping people regain their mobility and independence is one of the most rewarding parts of medicine.

Dr. McDonald’s Education and Training

If you yell “Tar,” you’ll likely hear “Heel” in return — Dr. McDonald is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology. He went on to pursue his medical training at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earning his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree.

Following his doctoral studies, Dr. McDonald completed four years of residency training specializing in foot and ankle surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, before completing an additional clinical research fellowship in podiatric research. This rigorous, hands-on education gave him a deep understanding of both the science and art of restoring movement, laying the foundation for the compassionate, evidence-based care he provides today.

At Triad Foot & Ankle Center, he specializes in rearfoot, reconstructive, and trauma surgery, while maintaining a strong commitment to non-surgical treatments that help patients recover safely and efficiently.

His areas of expertise include:

• Tendinitis and acute sports injuries (sprains, strains, and fractures)
• Achilles tendon ruptures and Jones fractures
• Pediatric and adult flatfoot correction
• Ankle instability and ankle arthritis
• Minimally invasive foot surgery, including bunion and heel spur correction
• Lapiplasty® bunion correction procedure
• Ankle joint replacement and cartilage repair

“Patients often come in worried that their problem means surgery, and in some patients that is the best treatment option", he explains. “But for many patients, we can find a non-surgical or minimally or non-invasive treatment that works. The goal is to get them moving again safely and quickly.”

“Many patients come in concerned that their condition will require surgery, and in some cases, surgery truly is the most effective treatment,” he explains. “However, when appropriate, we also explore non-surgical or minimally invasive options. The goal is always to choose the treatment that helps patients recover safely and return to movement as quickly as possible.”

When he’s not caring for patients, Dr. McDonald enjoys cooking, traveling with his wife and dog, and cheering on UNC basketball, the Carolina Panthers, and Formula One racing.

How to Make an Appointment

Whether you’re recovering from a sports injury, managing chronic heel pain, or simply want to move comfortably again, Dr. McDonald and the team at Triad Foot & Ankle are here to help. His blend of advanced surgical skill, compassionate care, and patient education makes him one of the most trusted foot and ankle specialists in the Triad.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. McDonald, please call (336) 375-6990 or click here to schedule an appointment online.