If it's a sports injury, the specialist should simply have added knowledge and experience in treating sports injuries. A qualified specialist should belong to a professional sportsmedicine society. Look for specialists who work to find the underlying cause of your injury, and who recommend conservative treatments before surgery. Also look for someone who feels that ending your exercise program is the last resort. These injuries are treated by a variety of specialists, including orthopedists, osteopaths, physiatrists and chiropractors.
Podiatrists complete four years of training at a college of podiatric medicine, and a residency.
Training focuses on the foot and foot-related problems. Podiatrists are licensed to perform surgery and prescribe medication. They can help you find the cause of your injury by examining your gait and the way your body moves biomechanically. Knee injuries are most commonly treated by orthopedic surgeons, although you can also see osteopaths, physiatrists or podiatrists. They treat injuries to the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons.