Podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon: who should you see for foot pain?

When your foot or ankle hurts, you may wonder whether to see a podiatrist or an orthopedic surgeon. Both can be excellent choices. Here’s how their training differs, and what to look for.

What a podiatrist is

A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM), a physician and surgeon who treats the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg.^[1]

Training: four years of undergraduate education, four years of podiatric medical school, and three years of hospital-based surgical residency. Many complete fellowships afterward, and podiatrists can focus on surgery, sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics and diabetic care.^[1] Podiatric medical school is the same length as MD and DO medical school and covers the same basic and clinical sciences, with an intensive focus on the foot and ankle; podiatric residencies are similar to, and often integrated with, MD and DO residencies, with a high volume of foot and ankle cases.^[2]

Board certification: podiatrists earn board certification through advanced training, clinical experience and examination. The American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine are the certifying boards for the field.^[1] Surgical board certification, for example, requires completing an approved residency, years of postgraduate clinical experience, a log of a wide range of foot and ankle operations, and a two-part examination.^[2]

Podiatrists diagnose and treat the full range of foot and ankle problems, both non-surgically and surgically: heel pain, sports injuries, bunions and hammertoes, ingrown toenails, skin and nail conditions, diabetic foot care and wounds, fractures and reconstructive surgery.

What an orthopedic surgeon is

An orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor (MD or DO) trained in the whole musculoskeletal system: bones, joints, muscles and tendons from the neck to the toes. Some complete an additional fellowship in foot and ankle surgery and focus their practice there.

So which should you see?

For most foot and ankle problems, either a podiatrist or a foot-and-ankle orthopedic surgeon is an appropriate choice. More useful questions are:

• Does this doctor focus on the foot and ankle?
• What is their training? Look for residency and board certification.
• Do they offer both non-surgical and surgical care, so the treatment isn’t limited by what they do?
• Do they have hospital privileges where surgery would be done?
• How do they communicate? You should leave understanding your diagnosis and options.
• How much experience do they have with your problem, and, if you may need an operation, how often do they perform it? For surgery, experience matters: surgeons who perform a procedure more often tend to have better outcomes.^[3]

If your problem also involves the knee, hip or spine, an orthopedic surgeon or other specialist may be part of your care, and a good foot specialist will say so.

Common questions

Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist?

It depends on your insurance. Many plans let you book directly with a specialist; some require a referral from your primary care doctor, or require you to stay within a network.^[3] Check with your plan, or call our office and we’ll help.

Can a podiatrist treat my ankle, or only my foot?

Podiatrists treat the foot, the ankle and the related structures of the leg, from sprains and tendon problems to fractures and reconstructive surgery.^[1]

What if I need care beyond the foot and ankle?

Problems in the knee, hip or back can cause foot symptoms, and the other way round. A good foot and ankle specialist looks for that, and coordinates with your primary care physician and other specialists when your care needs them.

About Dr. Ozturk

Dr. Efe Ozturk is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine who completed a three-year surgical residency in forefoot and rearfoot reconstructive surgery at Morristown Medical Center. Dr. Ozturk is double board certified, by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and as a Fellow of the Academy of Physicians in Wound Healing (FAPWH), is a Fellow of the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons and the American Society of Podiatric Medicine, and has hospital and surgical privileges at Hoboken University Medical Center, Hudson Regional Hospital and other New Jersey facilities. See about Dr. Ozturk and foot and ankle surgery.

When to see a podiatrist