What’s the Difference between a Podiatrist (DPM) or Medical Doctor (MD) - Kansas City Foot Specialists (2024)

FAQs

What’s the Difference between a Podiatrist (DPM) or Medical Doctor (MD) - Kansas City Foot Specialists? ›

A medical doctor, even an orthopedist, has a broader base of training and education. In fact, general medical doctors and orthopedists may only cover the feet and ankles in just a few weeks of training. Your podiatrist invests years in understanding the complexities of these parts of the body.

Is a DPM better than an MD or DO? Each profession has its own set of educational and training requirements, so neither is “better” than the other. MDs and DOs are trained to diagnose and treat general medical issues and DPMs provide specialized care for foot and ankle conditions.

A foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon performs complex surgical procedures, not performed by a podiatrist. There can be some overlap in what a podiatrist treats and what an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist treats such as the simpler conditions of sprains and strains.

A surgically trained podiatrist or a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon are both excellent choices.

A podiatrist goes to Podiatric Medical School and earns the DPM degree. Like other medical schools, podiatric medical schools require the MCAT test and are competitive. However, pod schools get fewer applicants than general med schools, and are therefore easier to get into.

Podiatrists are doctors, but they don't go to traditional medical school. They have their own schools and professional associations. They also have "DPM" (doctor of podiatric medicine) after their names instead of "MD" (medical doctor).

Reputation. In the United States, an MD degree is typically more well-respected than a DO. That does not mean a physician with either degree is actually better or worse than the other. MDs outnumber DOs, and because of the standardized acceptance of MDs, people often consider them slightly more reputable.

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.

Podiatrists treat everything from bunions to infected toenails, and patients are guaranteed to receive the best answer for their foot problems from a podiatrist. But there is another term that many people – particularly older patients – still use for foot doctors: chiropodist.

Podiatrists can diagnose and treat any issues that affect your feet, ankles and lower legs — including performing surgery.

What is the most common problem treated by podiatrist? ›

Common problems that podiatrists treat include bunions, heel pain, ingrown toenails, and athlete's foot. Treatment methods used by podiatrists can vary depending on the specific condition but often include things like orthotic devices, braces, or surgery.

A podiatrist can prescribe treatments such as in-office procedures, custom orthotics, physical therapy, and surgery, as needed. Lifestyle changes are also helpful in easing foot pain. Podiatrists customize their recommendations according to their patient's unique needs.

—a visit to the podiatrist is your best bet. A podiatrist is a specialist who manages and treats almost all symptoms that involve the ankle and/or the foot.

Podiatrists (D.P.M.) treat lower leg and foot issues and related complications, while physicians and surgeons (M.D.) diagnose and treat problems affecting the entire body.

Podiatry schools in general are losing current students because many are dissatisfied with the profession pushing parity so much that they are suffering taking MD level classes, learning the MCAT for APMLE, 4 year of grueling curriculum, and coming out with SUCH a LIMITED SCOPE and MEDICAL licensure.

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.

A Ph. D. is the highest degree you can get in any subject, so it carries prestige. With an M.D., you can operate as a medical doctor and help patients, which many people respect.

2. Is Podiatry School Easier Than Medical School? Podiatry school is very similar to med school. You'll have to take the MCAT, attend a four-year program after your bachelor's degree, focus heavily on sciences, and do clinical rotations.

A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), known also as a podiatric physician or surgeon, qualified by their education and training to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg.

It is hard to say that one is more prestigious than another. A person working as a DO can hold leadership positions, provide care to some of the most elite athletes in the world, and manage whole healthcare systems. That is the same as an MD can do.