Orthopedic foot and ankle specialists and podiatrists treat similar conditions, however they have different backgrounds and qualifications. An orthopedic foot doctor is either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) with additional training in the foot and ankle. A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM.)
An orthopedic foot and ankle specialist has knowledge and can treat all conditions related to the musculoskeletal system with specialized training in the foot and ankle. A podiatrist only has training related to the foot and ankle.
Both are doctors and have specialized training in the foot and ankle. Whether you choose to be treated by an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist or a podiatrist is up to you, but make sure you do your research to find the best doctor for your needs.
At Elite Sports Medicine, our foot and ankle specialists work with a range of patients including high-level athletes. If you are an athlete, it is best to seek help from an orthopedic doctor instead of a podiatrist since orthopedics has a focus on sports medicine.
