Explore the difference
Orthopedic Surgery or Podiatry, what’s the difference?
There are times when it is appropriate to see a podiatrist. Keep in mind that there are major differences in their education and training. Podiatrists do not attend medical school and, therefore, are not medical doctors. Their title is DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) not M.D. (Medical Doctor). Podiatrists are not subject to the bylaws of the Florida Board of Medicine. A podiatrist’s scope of practice can differ from state to state. For example, podiatrists are not permitted to perform ankle surgery in Massachusetts. Similarly, many of the nation’s top institutions also limit the scope of podiatric practices.
We refer to podiatry for…
- Routine nail care
- Routine diabetic foot care
- Plantar warts
- Ingrown toe nails
- Athlete’s foot
- Nail fungus
When to see another specialist
- Chief complaint is numbness (Neurology)
- Chief complaint is a skin condition (dermatology)
- Chief complaint is painless leg swelling (vascular surgery)
Explore the difference further with Stanford article and other resources below:
Lower Complication Rate Following Ankle Fracture Fixation by Orthopaedic Surgeons Versus Podiatrists
The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society look for the "O" campaign
