“Should I see an orthopedist or podiatrist for ankle pain?”
I am a 38 year old male and I have severe ankle pain. Should I see an orthopedist or podiatrist for ankle pain?
15 Answers
Podiatrist
Most orthopedic surgeons do not spend much time on the foot and ankle unless they have done a fellowship in foot and ankle. I recommend you make an appointment with a foot and ankle surgeon (podiatrist) for a diagnosis and treatment options
Either is fine but a Podiatrist has done a lot of years of foot and ankle training and we are more than happy to assist you and help get rid of your pain.
Both are equally good
Podiatrists are foot and ankle specialists and study the foot and ankle for 7 years prior to practice
I would recommend an orthopedist.
You should see a Podiatrist who is board certified in both Foot surgery and Rearfoot/Ankle surgery and who has done a 3 year surgical residency training for ankle pain. A well-trained Podiatrist is much better at evaluating and treating foot and ankle pathologies than any other type of physician
Since I am an orthopaedic surgeon, I would recommend you see an orthopaedic physician first and foremost; there are large groups still out there, and oftentimes one in the group may have fellowship training in foot and ankle , which makes him a subspecialist. I have no argument with seeing a podiatrist especially if you already have a relationship. A podiatrist's training is only in foot and ankle conditions. All orthopaedic surgeons have a minimum of 5 yrs residency training (after completing 4 years of medical school ); so it is obvious the musculoskeletal training is so much greater than a podiatrist.
There are many fine Podiatrists and Orthopedic surgeons who have had foot and ankle specialty training. In general if you have any significant additional medical problems (diabetes, vascular, neural) then you should go to the Orthopedic surgeon. They have much more training with this. For minor problems a Podiatrist or Orthopedic surgeon with foot/ ankle or sports medicine will be able to assist you with the problem. For more complex ankle injuries or foot alignment problems (arthritis, a vascular necrosis, childhood alignment issues) I would recommend the Orthopedic foot/ankle. Obviously I have some bias’s as I am an Orthopedic surgeon. My partners, who are foot and ankle trained took care of poor outcomes from both Orthopedic surgeons and Podiatrists. If you want to see just one, in general go to an Orthopedic surgeon with 5 or more years of experience who is fellowship trained in foot/ankle. In all cases, except trauma, I would get several opinions if surgery is required. Good Luck.
Either is fine.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
See an orthopedist specializing in foot and ankle disorders.
Thanks
Ron LaButti
Thanks
Ron LaButti
Both work. Go with podiatrist first.
I would recommend you see an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist. If the ankle is swollen and warm and you have not had an injury, you might consider seeing a rheumatologist.
Christopher B. Michelsen, MD, FAOA, FAAOS, FACS
Christopher B. Michelsen, MD, FAOA, FAAOS, FACS
See your PCP first for an X-ray. He/she can help you decide.
William Z. Cohen, M.D., FAAFP
William Z. Cohen, M.D., FAAFP
A Podiatrist is a specialist in feet and ankle that is what I would suggest.
Dr. Gorman
Dr. Gorman
