What is a podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM), also known as a podiatric physician and surgeon, qualified by their education and training to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Podiatrists are uniquely qualified among medical professionals to treat the foot and ankle based on their education, training, and experience.

A podiatrist received medical education and training comparable to medical doctors, including four years of undergraduate education, four years of podiatry school and postgraduate education/residency. The majority of podiatrists are Board certified. Board certification confirms that a physician has earned the honor ofcredentials reserved for those physicians who have received high levels of skill and ability based on their completion of rigorous standards. To receive Board certification, the physician must provide diverse surgical examples of cases they have treated, as well as pass oral and written exams.