Why Do Orthopedic Surgeons Dislike Podiatrists

Amal_Warda · August 11, 2022, 10:35am

Why Do Orthopedic Surgeons Dislike Podiatrists? Podiatrists have a negative reputation among orthopedic surgeons because, in comparison to a podiatrist, an orthopedic surgeon who earned their medical degree in the United States will have a much deeper understanding of general medicine, surgical basics, and post-operative care. This is because they will have spent seven years in total acquiring their medical education and training.

There are a lot of moving parts in the podiatrist-orthopedist partnership. There is much overlap between these two disciplines; nonetheless, podiatrists have long held sway over conditions affecting the lower extremities.

But that’s beginning to alter. I’ve noticed an uptick in the number of orthopedic surgeons specializing in foot and ankle issues recently, and the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery now offers a certificate of additional qualification (CAQ) specifically for foot and ankle specialists.

Podiatrists have a negative reputation among orthopedic surgeons because they are often poorly versed in areas of medicine outside of podiatry. In comparison to a podiatrist, an orthopedic surgeon who earned their medical degree in the United States will have a much deeper understanding of general medicine, surgical basics, and post-operative care. This is because they will have spent seven years in total acquiring their medical education and training.

In the United States, podiatrists do not receive training in general surgery or the prescription of drugs for internal use (like antibiotics). Internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics/gynecology, and emergency medicine are not covered in a podiatrist’s education. They are only qualified to practice podiatric medicine (foot care) and dermatology (the skin).

Five reasons Orthopedic Surgeons hate Podiatrists

One major difference between podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons is that podiatrists have fewer educational and training requirements. Despite their lack of expertise, Podiatrists can treat ankle and Calcaneal fractures. Probably only about 10–15% of podiatrists have received training on Ankle and Calcaneal fractures on par with Orthopedic Surgeons. The vast majority just lack the necessary education.
It is always about the money, even when individuals insist it’s not about that. The truth is that podiatrists, like orthopedic surgeons, are painful for the feet. Except for the foot and ankle, there is no other area of the body where Orthopedic Surgeons face serious competition. In reality, monopolies have higher wages.
Most of those in the field of podiatry is complete. If you were an orthopedic surgeon visiting a podiatrist down the street who also sold supplements to treat neuropathy and provided in-house physical therapy.
Division into exclusive groups, or cliques. Everything in life eventually goes back to its High School form. Orthopedic surgeons have their group, while podiatrists have their group. High school is and always has been a metaphor for life. The fact that Podiatrists have a separate name and practice methods has led some Orthopedic Surgeons to view them with suspicion.
Many orthopedic surgeons’ practices have been hampered by foot and ankle problems that should have been treated by podiatrists. This occurs rather frequently. You would be frustrated as well if you had to rectify Podiatry mistakes.

What is an Orthopedic Surgeon?

A medical doctor (MD or DO) specializing in orthopedics treats issues with the whole musculoskeletal system, not just those that involve the lower extremities. Orthopedists are doctors who specialize in the study of the human skeleton and its function, as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, and care of musculoskeletal disorders and accidents.

Some orthopedic surgeons focus on general orthopedic care, while others have chosen to focus on a specific area of orthopedics, such as the treatment of children and athletes, or the foot and ankle, hand, shoulder, spine, hip, or knee.

Your knee, hip, or lower back may be the source of your ankle and foot pain. Orthopedic surgeons that specialize in the ankle and foot can efficiently treat a wide variety of diseases affecting the lower extremities, as well as the rest of the patient’s anatomy.

They focus on assessing foot problems, but they can also look at other orthopedic conditions that may be causing or exacerbating ankle and foot discomfort. Orthopedic surgeons spend less time focusing on the foot specifically since they spend more time studying the body as a whole. There is a mandatory national board exam for orthopedic surgeons.

At the moment, they have to finish the following types of schooling:

Qualifications	Years
Undergraduate school	4 Years
Accredited medical school	4 Years
Generalized orthopedic surgical residency training	5 Years

Foot and ankle orthopedic experts treat a wide variety of disorders, including:

Osteoarthritis
Plantar fibroma and fibromatosis
Ligament tears
Lisfranc injury
Metatarsalgia foot pain
Achilles tendinitis and tendinosis
Plantar fasciitis
Broken bones, stress fractures, and sprains

What is a Podiatrist?

The term “podiatrist” refers to a medical professional who has completed a Podiatric Medical Doctorate program (DPM). A podiatrist is a doctor who focuses on ankle and foot conditions.

Podiatrists have general medical education and additional training focusing on the lower limb, foot, and ankle. They are experts at orthotics, custom shoes, and a range of braces because of their extensive education and training in optimal foot balance and biomechanics.

Podiatrists spend their entire academic careers focusing on foot health. They focus on the foot and ankle throughout their surgical residency, learning from a number of podiatric and orthopedic physicians. This means that their education has been more exclusively focused on feet for longer.

Except in exceptional circumstances, a podiatrist is the one who is solely qualified to treat issues relating to the feet and ankles. Podiatrists can provide both non-invasive and invasive treatment options for foot and ankle conditions. Likely, a podiatrist will first try less invasive treatments and only resort to surgery if that doesn’t improve the patient’s condition.

At the moment, they have to finish the following types of schooling:

Qualifications	Years
Undergraduate school	4 Years
Accredited podiatric medical school	4 Years
Foot and ankle surgical residency training	3 to 4 Years

Podiatrists typically treat the following conditions:

Fallen arches
Calluses and ingrown toenails
Heel pain, bone spurs, neuromas, and plantar fasciitis
Chronic wounds associated with diabetes or other illnesses
Arthritis, instability, pain, joint diseases
Deformities of the feet

Summary

Podiatrists have a negative reputation among orthopedic surgeons because they are often poorly versed in areas of medicine outside of podiatry. Podiatrists do not receive training in general surgery or the prescription of drugs for internal use (like antibiotics).

Orthopedic surgeons VS Podiatrist

A podiatrist focuses on the lower extremities, including the feet and ankles, while an orthopedic surgeon addresses issues with the entire skeleton, including the muscles, ligaments, and joints. Podiatrists practice podiatric medicine (DPM).

The biggest differences:

Number 1:

An orthopedic surgeon treats conditions related to the musculoskeletal system and may focus on a specific region, such as the spine, the hand, and upper extremities, children’s orthopedics, trauma care, or sports medicine. If surgery is required, an orthopedic surgeon can treat the foot. Correction of ankle and foot abnormalities may be necessary.
Ankle, foot, and leg structures are the focus of a podiatrist’s medical expertise. If you have any kind of foot issue, your first stop should be a podiatrist. Podiatrists are medical specialists who diagnose and treat problems with the foot and ankles; however, they are not permitted to dispense any prohibited substances.

Number 2:

An orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in fixing broken bones.
A podiatrist is not a medical doctor because he or she did not study medicine in college but podiatry instead.

Number 3:

When it comes to a patient’s musculoskeletal system, an orthopedic surgeon has a complete picture.
Podiatrists focus on treating issues specific to the feet and ankles.

Number 4:

Before the need for emergency care and limb salvage arises, an orthopedic surgeon is educated to recognize and treat (non-surgically and surgically, when necessary) hidden load pressure points, deformities, stress, and fragility fractures in the lower extremity.
Some localized foot disorders, like callosities, nail infections, and diabetic foot ulcerations, may be efficiently “managed” by a podiatrist.

Number 5:

Surgeon of orthopedic has completed both an undergraduate degree and four years of medical school. This makes them MDs. After completing their undergraduate degrees, they must then spend at least five years in an academic hospital’s orthopedic surgery residency program, followed by an extra year or more of fellowship training.
A podiatrist is a podiatric physician or surgeon who holds a doctorate in podiatric medicine (DPM). Specialists in this field are trained to identify and treat a wide range of issues affecting the lower limb.
Podiatrists are medical professionals that specialize in treating foot and ankle conditions. After extensive study, practical experience, and examination, podiatrists can become board certified by either the American Board of Podiatric Medicine or the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.

Should You See an Orthopedist or a Podiatrist?

Finding out whether you should see an orthopedist or a podiatrist might be a bit of a guessing game. Any injury, disease, or unusual symptoms involving the feet or ankles should be checked by a podiatrist.

If you have any kind of problem with your muscles, bones, or joints, you should probably consult an orthopedic doctor. If you have been advised to have surgery on your feet or ankles, you should also consult a podiatrist.

If you need surgery on your feet or ankles, you should see a podiatrist rather than a general orthopedic surgeon because they have more training and experience in this area.

## Summary

An orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in fixing broken bones. Podiatrists are specialists who diagnose and treat problems with the feet and ankles. An orthopedic surgeon has completed both an undergraduate degree and four years of medical school. Podiatrists are medical professionals that specialize in treating foot and ankle conditions.

FAQ’s

1. Is a podiatrist better than an orthopedic surgeon?

If you need surgery on your feet or ankles, you should see a podiatrist rather than a general orthopedic surgeon because they have more training and experience in this area.

2. Can a podiatrist recommend surgery?

A podiatrist, or doctor of podiatric medicine, is a medical practitioner who specializes in treating foot and ankle problems. Common foot ailments that can be treated by a podiatrist include ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, foot ulcer treatment, corns, calluses, and many others.

3. What are the cons of being a podiatrist?

Cons: Becoming a podiatrist is a lengthy and expensive educational process. Working under such intense conditions can be stressful. Even after completing their education, new podiatrists are generally entrusted with a great deal of responsibility.

4. Is a podiatrist a real doctor?

Doctors of podiatric medicine (often known as DPMs) are medical professionals who focus on treating conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower leg.

5. Why do podiatrists call themselves doctors?

Podiatrists provide medical care, but they are not trained in the conventional sense. Schools and organizations catering to this population exist separately. Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) instead of “MD” (medical doctor).

6. Is it better to see a podiatrist or orthopedist for plantar fasciitis?

It makes sense to see a podiatrist first because they will provide the most traditional and least invasive treatments. If conservative measures fail and surgical intervention is required, it will be time to think about consulting with an orthopedist who specializes in foot and ankle conditions.

7. How many hours does foot surgery take?

Operations on the foot and ankle typically take up to an hour to complete. Surgical procedures to correct severe abnormalities or treat complex trauma can take up to four hours. Local anesthetic and, often, light sedation will keep you comfortable throughout the process.

8. Are podiatrists happy?

The happiness levels of podiatrists are, on average, lower than those of other professions. Our company, CareerExplorer, regularly polls millions of people to gauge their level of career contentment. Podiatrists, it turns out, rank last when it comes to job satisfaction, giving themselves only 2.9 stars out of 5.

9. How long is the longest orthopedic surgery?

The longest procedure among those examined was an emergency exploratory laparotomy, which lasted 880 minutes (5.7-fold the mean) to perform and required 980 minutes of anesthetic time (4.2 times the mean).

10. What is the success rate of orthopedic surgery?

The number of adults undergoing orthopedic procedures often rises annually. Successful replacement surgery has a 98% success rate when performed by a board-certified orthopedic surgeon.

Conclusion

Podiatrists have a negative reputation among orthopedic surgeons because they are often poorly versed in areas of medicine outside of podiatry. An orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in fixing broken bones. A podiatrist is not a doctor because they did not study medicine in college but podiatry instead. Podiatrists treat issues with the whole musculoskeletal system, not just the lower extremities. Foot and ankle orthopedic experts treat a wide variety of disorders.

Why Do Orthopedic Surgeons Dislike Podiatrists