Readers ask: What Comes First Orthopedics Or Podiatry?

Should I go to a podiatrist or orthopedist?

As a general guideline, if you have an injury, condition, or symptoms affecting your foot or ankle health, it’s best to see a podiatrist. If you have an injury, condition, or symptoms affecting any other part of your musculoskeletal system, it’s best to see an orthopedic physician.

DO orthopedic doctors treat foot problems?

Both podiatrists and orthopaedic surgeons are qualified to treat foot and ankle conditions, surgically and non-surgically. In general, the best bet is to choose the doctor you feel the most comfortable with, or who has the most experience treating your particular condition.

Is a DPM an orthopedic surgeon?

An Orthopaedic surgeon is a Doctor of Medicine, who graduates from Medical School. A podiatrist does not graduate from Medical School but rather podiatry school and is not a Doctor of Medicine. A podiatrist is a doctor of “podiatric” medicine ( DPM ) and is also referred to as a podiatric physician or surgeon.

Are podiatrists real doctors?

Podiatrists are defined as physicians by the federal government. A DPM is a specialist in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of lower extremity disorders, diseases and injuries.

What does a podiatrist do on first visit?

On your first visit, the podiatrist will obtain a thorough medical history to help identify possible areas of concern that may lead to or worsen foot and leg problems. Be prepared with any important medical records and information on the following: Current medical problems, medications and allergies. Past surgeries.

What conditions can Podiatrists treat?

Podiatrists treat people of any age for many foot-related conditions, including:

• Fractures and sprains. Podiatrists regularly treat these common injuries when they affect a foot or ankle.
• Bunions and hammertoes.
• Diabetes.
• Arthritis.
• Growing pains.
• Heel pain.
• Morton’s neuroma.

What’s the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic doctor?

Orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists work side by side in hospitals and in the same group practices. The main difference lies in the body systems they treat. Orthopedic surgeons are concerned with bones, muscles, ligaments and joints throughout the body. Podiatrists are foot and ankle doctors and surgeons.

What is the difference between a podiatrist and a foot and ankle specialist?

The primary and most important difference is the level of training each completes. Altogether, a foot and ankle surgeon will have 10+ years of training. Podiatrists attend podiatry school for four years followed by a 2-3 year residency. Altogether, a podiatrist will have 6-7 years of training.

What kind of doctor should I see for foot pain?

A podiatrist, also called a doctor of podiatric medicine, is a specialist who provides medical diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle problems, including, but not limited to sprains and fractures, bunions, heel pain /spurs, hammertoes, neuromas, ingrown toenails, warts, corns and calluses.

Why do orthopedic surgeons make so much?

He said orthopedic surgeons make more because their procedures bring much more money to the hospital. The payout for orthopedic procedures is just higher than average, when you consider the time it takes to do them.

Do podiatrists cut toenails?

In most cases, yes; they regularly assist patients with toenail care. While cutting toenails may seem like a simple matter of grooming, there are actually many patients who have problems with their toenails or feet that prevent them from cutting them without professional help.

What is a back doctor called?

Orthopedists. An orthopedic doctor is a board-certified surgeon who specializes in problems—from head to toe—of the musculoskeletal system. This includes, of course, the spine. An orthopedist might address conditions such as ruptured discs, scoliosis or other types of neck or low back pain.

How long is podiatry residency?

Currently, the majority of podiatric residency programs are three years in length. After completing their residencies, foot and ankle surgeons may receive additional training in specific areas of foot and ankle surgery through fellowships.

Can a podiatrist do surgery?

More specifically, a podiatrist is trained to be a doctor of podiatric medicine and can perform surgery, prescribe drugs, and order lab tests. A podiatrist can also treat and perform surgery for common foot problems such as ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, foot ulcer treatment, corns, calluses and more.

Do podiatrists treat toenail fungus?

Your podiatrist may also prescribe a topical treatment, which can be an effective treatment modality for fungal nails. In some cases, surgical treatment may be required. Temporary removal of the infected nail can be performed to permit direct application of a topical antifungal.