Schooling for the two professions differs in philosophy, length and substance. 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, although they are trained to take the whole body into account before concentrating on foot, ankle and related problems.
Some orthopedic surgeons take additional 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 immediately on the foot and ankle. Some podiatric surgeons complete surgical residencies of up to three years. Whichever way you go, the point is to get help, says Glenn Gastwirth of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Both professions team up to ice injury Podiatrists and orthopedists often cooperate.