Podiatrist vs Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon

How podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons differ in training, licensing and board certification, how to check each, and what to ask before surgery.

Two kinds of doctors commonly treat foot and ankle problems, including with surgery: podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons. They train on different paths, are licensed in different ways and are certified by different boards. Neither label tells you on its own who is right for a particular problem. This guide explains the difference, shows how to check each kind of doctor, and lists questions to ask before foot or ankle surgery. It does not recommend one profession over the other.

Two training paths

Podiatrists (DPM)

The American Podiatric Medical Association describes a podiatrist as a physician and surgeon who treats the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg. APMA says the usual path is four years of college, four years at a college of podiatric medicine leading to the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree, and a three-year, hospital-based surgical residency, often followed by a fellowship. Podiatric residencies are approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME), as the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine explains on its residencies page. Podiatry is focused on the foot and ankle from the start of training.

Orthopedic surgeons (MD or DO)

Orthopedic surgeons hold an MD or DO degree. Their training covers the musculoskeletal system as a whole, not only the foot and ankle. To sit for its exams, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) requires that every year of a candidate's orthopaedic residency be in a program accredited by the ACGME, according to its Part I rules. Some orthopedic surgeons go on to focus on the foot and ankle. ABOS's subspecialty certificates are in surgery of the hand and orthopaedic sports medicine. It does not list a separate foot and ankle certificate, so ask an orthopedic surgeon directly about any foot and ankle fellowship.

Who licenses and certifies each

Both kinds of doctors need a state license, and the agency that licenses podiatrists may not be the one that licenses MDs and DOs. In Texas, for example, podiatrists are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), as its podiatry program page explains. If you have a question about what a podiatrist is licensed to do in your state, the state licensing agency is the place to ask.

Board certification is voluntary for both, and the boards are different:

• Podiatrists. APMA names two certifying boards: the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM). ABFAS certifies in foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery. Its Find a Surgeon search shows who is board certified or board qualified, and ABFAS says the podiatrists it lists must keep an active license and hospital privileges.
• Orthopedic surgeons. ABOS is one of the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). ABOS has a Verify Certification page, and ABMS's verify certification page points patients to a free lookup for doctors certified by any ABMS member board. Part II of ABOS certification, its rules explain, includes an oral exam based on cases from the surgeon's own practice.

A podiatrist will not appear in the ABMS lookup, and an orthopedic surgeon will not appear in the ABFAS search. That is expected. Check each doctor with the board that matches his or her degree.

How to check each, step by step

1. Confirm the license is active with the state agency that licenses that type of doctor.
2. Look for public disciplinary actions. In Texas, TDLR has a search of disciplinary orders that includes podiatry.
3. Check board certification with the right board, and note the area and whether it is current.
4. Ask where the doctor did residency and any fellowship. For a podiatrist, ask whether the residency was CPME-approved. If an orthopedic surgeon is a DO, ask which board certified him or her and how to verify it.
5. Ask where the doctor operates and whether he or she has privileges there.

Questions to ask before foot or ankle surgery

The same questions work whether the surgeon is a podiatrist or an orthopedic surgeon. Write them down and bring them to the visit, and ask for written answers where you can:

• Which board certifies you, in which area, and is it current?
• How much experience do you have with my condition? How many of this exact procedure do you perform in a typical year?
• What are your results with this procedure, including infections and return trips to the hospital?
• What are the options other than surgery, and what happens if I wait?
• What are the main risks, and how are complications handled?
• Where will the surgery take place, who gives the anesthesia, and do you have privileges at the hospital I would go to if something goes wrong?
• What does recovery look like: weight-bearing, time off work or sports, and physical therapy?
• Are you enrolled in Medicare, and do you accept assignment? What will I owe?

Getting a second opinion

A second opinion can come from either kind of surgeon. Medicare says Part B covers a second surgical opinion for medically necessary surgery that is not an emergency, and a third opinion if the first two differ. The usual Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance apply. If you have other coverage, ask your plan how it handles second opinions. Our guide to Medicare and foot care has more on costs and assignment.

What this directory covers

This directory lists podiatrists and podiatry practices only. A listing appears because the provider registered a podiatry specialty code, such as Foot & Ankle Surgery or Foot Surgery, in the federal NPPES registry. That code is self-reported and is not the same as board certification. Listings do not include orthopedic surgeons, and no listing is a recommendation. To learn how to verify a podiatrist yourself, see what a podiatrist is and how to check credentials. If you have diabetes, our diabetes and foot health guide covers what CDC and NIH say about foot checks. Search listings from the home page.

Updated 2026-10-16.

General information only, current as of the date above. The information on Podiatrist Index is not medical advice and does not replace a doctor, nurse, discharge planner or other qualified professional. Do not use it to make decisions about diagnosis or treatment. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Rules and programs change; check the official sources linked in this guide.