People seek professional advice when they suffer an injury, but with so many different specialists out there, how do you know which one is right for you? Below is an explanation of the differences between three foot specialists to help you determine which one best suits you needs.
Foot & Ankle Orthopedic Surgeon
Orthopedic surgeons are trained to handle a variety of medical mishaps, and their expertise in a specific area of the body usually sets them apart from other specialists. Orthopedic surgeons deal with musculoskeletal systems, meaning they know the intricacies of your muscle systems and bones. They are equipped to deal with painful injuries, like fractures, ligament tears, and ruptured tendons, but they also operate on long-term issues like instability and overuse injuries.
Orthopedic surgeons have a variety of tools at their disposable to diagnose your ailment. This can usually be done with X-Ray, but some surgeons also use Ultrasound technology to better observe your injury. Orthopedic surgeons are trained to perform all sorts of surgical procedures, from tendon repair to minimally-invasive corrective surgery.
In order to be a certified orthopedic surgeon, a person must:
- Complete a four-year undergraduate degree
- Complete a four-year medical school degree
- Serve five years of residency training
- Some Orthopedic surgeons will be selected to further their training and spend a concentrated year in fellowship training becoming surgical subspecialists.
Podiatrist
Podiatrists, as their name implies, treat injuries to and diseases of the foot and lower leg. Podiatrists treat cases of sprains, fractures, or ingrown toenails. Podiatrists who complete an accredited residency program are certified in performing surgical operations.
In order to be a certified podiatrist, a person must:
- Earn their Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from a four-year podiatry school (usually completed after earning an undergraduate degree)
- Serve 2-4 years in a residency training program
- Earn a state license
Pedorthist
A Pedorthist is a specialist who uses specialized footwear and corrective devices to address ailments in the foot and leg. They use customized shoes and other devices to ensure that your foot is in the proper alignment. Pedorthists assist patients by re-aligning anatomical structures to improve balance and bodily control.
Pedorthists are not board certified doctors, but orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists often refer their patients to a licensed pedorthist. In order to be a licensed pedorthist, a person must:
- Complete 120 hours of training
- Pass a state licensing certification exam.
As you can see, there are varying levels of education and training associated with each specialty, but they share a mutual goal of helping patients correct foot and ankle issues. And if you’re looking for the right specialist to take care of your foot and ankle needs in the greater Twin Cities area, we hope you’ll consider Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot. For more information, give our clinic a call today at (952) 224-8500.
