Heels give you a lift, but find a flatter look 2 types of doctors, all kinds of care Ice skater seeks toe repair without surgery Yellow toenails, stinky feet Vacation footnotes Answers to some e-mails, calls Both podiatrists and orthopedists treat feet, but there is a debate between the groups about which is better qualified to treat different ailments. Training for the two professions differs in philosophy, length and substance. Orthopedists Orthopedists attend four years of medical school. They become medical doctors, surgeons trained to operate on the entire skeletal system.
Orthopedists believe in generalizing before specializing.
They must serve a one-year surgical internship, followed by at least four years of hospital residency. Part of their training is devoted to foot and ankle surgery. Some orthopedic surgeons also take training to specialize in the foot and ankle. Podiatrists Podiatrists attend a four-year podiatric college, studying medicine and minor surgical procedures. The focus is specialized, concentrating on the foot and ankle.