The foot is one of the most complex parts of the skeletal system with 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments. Your foot alone contains almost 25% of all bones in your body.
Both orthopaedic surgeons and podiatrists specialize in foot and ankle care. If you have a problem with your foot or ankle, you may be wondering who you should see for treatment. How can you determine who is best for you?
Conveniently, the new Foot and Ankle Centerof Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians in Dedham brings together orthopaedic and podiatric experts all under one roof. Here, our specialists collaborate on your care to give you a more complete diagnosis and access to a wider range of treatments.
Read below for an overview of each specialty.
Orthopaedics
Orthopaedics is the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of injuries and diseases in your musculoskeletal system. After postgraduate orthopaedic residency training, foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons complete an additional year of training for advanced foot and ankle reconstruction.
Some common conditions treated by foot and ankle orthopaedic specialists include:
- Achilles tendinitis and tendinosis
- Broken bones, stress fractures and sprains
- Osteoarthritis
- Ligament tears
- Lisfranc injury (midfoot injury to ligaments and bones)
- Metatarsalgia foot pain (ball of your foot)
- Plantar fasciitis
- Plantar fibroma and fibromatosis (benign nodules on the bottom of your foot)
“Because some foot and ankle problems originate from your knee, hip or lower back, orthopaedic surgeons will treat complex lower extremity conditions in conjunction with the rest of your body,” says John Kwon, MD, Chief of BIDMC’s Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
Podiatry
From day one of podiatric medical school and residency, a podiatrist’s emphasis is on the foot and ankle. “Podiatrists provide care for bones, soft tissues and joints of the foot and ankle, but also the skin conditions and abnormal mechanics of the lower extremity,” says John Giurini, DPM, Chief of the Division of Podiatric Surgery at BIDMC.
Conditions commonly treated by podiatrists include:
- Arthritis, instability, pain, joint diseases
- Calluses and ingrown toenails
- Chronic wounds associated with diabetes or other illnesses
- Deformities of the feet (bunions, hammertoes)
- Fallen arches
- Heel pain, bone spurs, neuromas and plantar fasciitis
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.
The new Foot and Ankle Center of Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians in Dedham brings leading experts in orthopaedic surgery and podiatry to your community. The center is staffed with specialists from both specialties delivering more complete diagnosis and treatment for your condition.
Learn more about the Foot and Ankle Center.
FAQs
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.
Should you see a podiatrist or orthopedic for plantar fasciitis? ›
While there is certainly some overlap between the two professions, podiatrists and orthopedists specialize in treating different body parts and structures. If you are suffering from a foot condition, such as plantar fasciitis, or an ankle fracture, you will need to see a podiatrist (and not an orthopedist).
What is the best doctor for foot issues? ›
A surgically trained podiatrist or a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon are both excellent choices.
What is higher than a podiatrist? ›
The truth is that foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons have the most comprehensive training available for nonsurgical treatment options and have the highest level of qualifications to diagnose the root cause of any foot or ankle problem.
Is it worth having foot surgery? ›
Early detection and treatment can help avoid surgery but if the condition does not respond to conservative treatment, gets worse, or affects the quality of life, reconstructive foot surgery should be considered. A good podiatrist will provide an expert treatment plan for your foot condition.
Can an orthopedic surgeon help with plantar fasciitis? ›
If these approaches do not provide symptom relief, our highly trained orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists can perform surgery to treat plantar fasciitis.
What is the common misdiagnosis for plantar fasciitis? ›
This can happen to many nerves in your body, but the one most commonly mistaken for plantar fasciitis is the tibial nerve, which runs down the back of your leg. When the tibial nerve is pinched or entrapped near the ankle, it is called tarsal tunnel syndrome.
What is the best doctor for plantar fasciitis? ›
Podiatric surgeons, therefore, are more specialized and detailed in the treatment of plantar fasciitis, as the foot and ankle are their specialty.
Is there a difference between a podiatrist and a foot surgeon? ›
Both are concerned with bones, muscles, ligaments and joints in the foot. Outside of this, orthopedic surgeons are concerned with other areas of the body, including knees, hips, spine. Podiatrists are concerned with other organ systems in the foot and ankle, including the skin, blood vessels and nerves.
What kind of doctor treats swollen feet and ankles? ›
In the majority of cases, it is podiatrists and orthopedic physicians who can diagnose and treat foot and ankle related issues. These professionals have expertise in musculoskeletal disorders which means they can identify the root cause of the issue and provide the proper treatment needed.
A podiatrist diagnoses and treats a wide range of disorders, injuries, and deformities of the foot and ankle. Whether you sprain an ankle, have an ingrown toenail, or see a bunion developing, a highly qualified foot doctor can help.
Why choose podiatry? ›
Podiatrists earn salaries comparable to other medical specialties, while maintaining on average a 40-60 hour work week, allowing for a health-care career with a better work-life balance.
Why do podiatrists make so much money? ›
A DPM has a comparable educational path to that of other types of doctors. With this level of schooling and training, it makes sense for them to earn more than many occupations while being on par with other physician specialists. There are also many sub-specializations within the specialty of podiatry.
What kind of doctor is best for bunion surgery? ›
Although bunions can also be addressed by an orthopedic doctor, your best course of action is to see a podiatrist, who specializes in the treatment of conditions or injuries involving the foot or ankle.
Is foot surgery usually successful? ›
Other foot problems
When more conservative treatments don't eliminate pain and mobility limitations, your doctor assesses surgical options, which are quite successful.
What is the difference between a foot specialist and a podiatrist? ›
Podiatrists complete four years of higher education at a school of podiatry to receive their medical certification. They follow their podiatry education with two to three years of residency. Foot and ankle specialists receive additional advanced training to treat traumatic injuries of the lower leg, ankle, and foot.
