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What is the difference between a Podiatrist and a Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in foot & ankle surgery?

My feet hurt all the time, especially below the ankles towards the side. What doctor should I see for that? I saw two advertisements..one from a podiatrist and one from a orthopedic surgeon. Who will know more and who will be able to better help my aching feet. ( I think i have flat feet too)

Public Comments

1. A podiatrist, DPM, doctor of podiatric medicine, is the only health care professional whose total training focuses on the foot, ankle and related body systems. Orthopedic Surgeons do more surgery.
2. The Podiatrist is a foot specialist. My daughter sees a podiatrist for her flat pronated feet. She wears orthodic shoe inserts to help align her body. An orthopedic is a bone specialist. I would suggest making an appointment with a Podiatrist. Good Luck!
3. In order to tell if you've got flat feet, you can try the following test: http://www.foothealthcare.com/html/articles/foottypes/foottypes.htm. If you're indeed flat-footed contact me (k.sordo@gmail.com); I may be able to help you correct them.
4. If it was my feet, I would seen an Orthopaedic Surgeon specialized in foot and ankle. An Orthopaedic Surgeon is an MD who spent 4 years in medical school, 5 years in orthopaedic surgery residency, and 1-2 years of foot and ankle fellowship. You have to understand some foot and ankle problems come from the knee or alignment problems of your leg. You want someone that has some background of the entire musculoskeletal system. Both podiatrists and orthopaedic surgeons do similar surgeries although the average orthopaedic surgeon is probably better trained at more foot and ankle procedure than the podiatrist. You can always get an opinion from both too. Hope it helps.