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What's the Difference Between a Podiatrist and Orthopedist?

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The Short Answer

A podiatrist (DPM) is a foot and ankle specialist with 4 years of dedicated podiatric medical school plus 3-4 years of surgical residency focused exclusively on conditions below the knee.

An orthopedist (MD/DO) is a general bone and joint surgeon who may subspecialize in foot and ankle after completing a broader musculoskeletal training program.

For most foot and ankle conditions, a podiatrist offers more specialized, focused expertise—while orthopedists may be better suited for conditions involving multiple body systems or complex polytrauma.

Understanding the Training Differences

The fundamental difference between podiatrists and orthopedists lies in their educational pathways and clinical focus.

 

Podiatrist Training (DPM - Doctor of Podiatric Medicine)

Podiatrists complete a rigorous, specialized educational track:

  • Undergraduate Education: 4 years with pre-medical science requirements (biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry)

  • Podiatric Medical School: 4 years at one of 9 accredited colleges of podiatric medicine in the United States, with curriculum focused entirely on lower extremity anatomy, biomechanics, pathology, and treatment

  • Surgical Residency: 3-4 years of intensive hospital-based training exclusively in foot and ankle medicine and surgery (PMSR/RRA programs)

  • Board Certification: Podiatrists can achieve board certification through the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) for surgical competency and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM) for medical competency

 

At DMV Foot & Ankle, Dr. Alex Mattia holds dual board certification from both ABFAS and ABPM—a distinction that demonstrates expertise in both surgical and non-surgical foot and ankle care.

 

He completed his residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, one of the premier podiatric surgical training programs in the country.

Orthopedist Training (MD/DO - Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)

Orthopedic surgeons follow a broader medical pathway:

  • Undergraduate Education: 4 years with pre-medical requirements

  • Medical School: 4 years covering all body systems and general medicine

  • General Surgery Internship: 1 year of general surgical training

  • Orthopedic Surgery Residency: 5 years covering the entire musculoskeletal system (spine, shoulder, hip, knee, hand, foot, ankle)

  • Fellowship (Optional): 1 additional year for foot and ankle subspecialization

 

The key distinction is focus. While orthopedic surgeons receive excellent training across all bones and joints, their foot and ankle exposure represents only a fraction of their total training—unless they complete a dedicated fellowship.

When Should You See a Podiatrist?

Podiatrists are the optimal choice for most foot and ankle conditions because of their concentrated expertise. Consider seeing a podiatrist for:

 

Common Conditions Treated by Podiatrists

Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis: Podiatrists treat thousands of heel pain cases annually and offer specialized treatments including custom orthotics, laser therapy, and regenerative medicine options.
 

  • Diabetic Foot Care: Podiatrists receive extensive training in diabetic wound care, limb salvage, and prevention—critical for the 34 million Americans with diabetes

  • Sports Injuries: Ankle sprains, stress fractures, Achilles tendonitis, and other athletic foot injuries

  • Bunions & Hammertoes: Surgical correction of toe deformities using minimally invasive techniques

  • Ingrown Toenails: Both conservative and surgical management

  • Toenail Fungus: Medical and laser treatment options

  • Custom Orthotics: Biomechanical assessment and prescription of medical-grade foot supports

  • Foot & Ankle Surgery: Reconstructive procedures, fracture repair, and arthroscopic surgery

Advanced Treatments Available from Podiatrists

Modern podiatric medicine offers cutting-edge treatments that many patients don't realize are available:

 

  • Regenerative Medicine: Peptide therapy, stem cell treatments from donated umbilical tissue, and fat pad allografts can accelerate healing and potentially avoid surgery

  • Class IV Laser Therapy: Non-invasive pain relief and tissue healing for chronic conditions

  • Minimally Invasive Surgery: Small-incision techniques that reduce recovery time and scarring

  • Gait Analysis: Walking patterns to identify biomechanical issues

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At DMV Foot & Ankle, Dr. Mattia is Certified in Regenerative Podiatric Medicine through the American College of Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons—offering advanced treatments not available at most foot and ankle practices.

When Should You See an Orthopedist?

Orthopedic surgeons may be the better choice in specific circumstances:

 

  • Multi-System Trauma: If your foot/ankle injury occurred alongside injuries to other body parts (car accident, major fall), an orthopedist can coordinate care across multiple areas

  • Complex Polytrauma: Injuries involving the knee, hip, and ankle simultaneously

  • Total Joint Replacement: While podiatrists perform ankle replacements, orthopedists may have more experience with certain implant systems

  • Insurance Requirements: Some insurance plans require referral to an orthopedist for certain procedures

  • Personal Preference: Some patients prefer a physician with an MD/DO credential

Head-to-Head Comparison

What Questions Should You Ask Any Foot Specialist?

Before choosing any provider for foot and ankle care, ask these important questions:
 

  1. "Are you board certified, and by which board?" Board certification indicates the provider has passed rigorous examinations demonstrating competency

  2. "How many of these procedures have you performed?" Experience matters—ask about volume for your specific condition

  3. "What non-surgical options do you offer?" A good specialist should exhaust conservative treatments before recommending surgery

  4. "Where did you complete your residency training?" Training program quality varies significantly

  5. "Do you offer advanced treatments like regenerative medicine or laser therapy?" These options may help you avoid surgery

Why Patients Choose DMV Foot & Ankle

Dr. Alex Mattia brings unique qualifications to foot and ankle care in Washington, DC:

  • Dual Board Certification: Certified by both the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) and American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM)—demonstrating expertise in surgical and non-surgical care

  • Elite Residency Training: Completed surgical residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, a nationally recognized program

  • Regenerative Medicine Certification: One of few DC-area podiatrists certified in Regenerative Podiatric Medicine, offering peptide therapy, stem cell treatments, and advanced biologics

  • Conservative-First Philosophy: Dr. Mattia believes in exhausting all non-surgical options before considering surgery, with 85-90% of patients achieving excellent outcomes without surgical intervention

  • Modern Technology: Class IV laser therapy, custom orthotics, and minimally invasive surgical techniques

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a podiatrist perform surgery?

Yes. Podiatrists complete 3-4 years of surgical residency and can perform a full range of foot and ankle surgeries, including fracture repair, bunion correction, ankle reconstruction, and minimally invasive procedures. Board-certified podiatric surgeons have hospital privileges identical to orthopedic surgeons for foot and ankle procedures.

 

Is a podiatrist a "real doctor"?

Absolutely. Podiatrists hold a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree, complete 11-12 years of education and training, and are licensed physicians who can prescribe medications, order imaging, and perform surgery. The DPM degree is a doctoral-level medical degree recognized throughout the United States.

 

Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist?

Most insurance plans allow self-referral to podiatrists without needing a referral from your primary care physician. However, some HMO plans may require referral. Contact your insurance company or call our office at 202-726-1800 to verify your coverage.

 

Will my insurance cover a podiatrist visit?

Yes, podiatric care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. Coverage is typically identical to coverage for orthopedic care for foot and ankle conditions.

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Should I see a podiatrist or orthopedist for ankle pain?

For most ankle conditions—sprains, arthritis, tendonitis, fractures—a podiatrist is an excellent choice due to their specialized training. If your ankle injury occurred alongside other injuries (knee, hip, spine), an orthopedist may be able to coordinate care more efficiently.

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Insurance & Appointments

Most major insurance plans cover podiatric care, including:

  • Medicare

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

  • Cigna

  • UnitedHealthcare

 

DMV Foot & Ankle accepts most insurance plans and offers same-day appointments for urgent foot and ankle needs.

Schedule Your Consultation

Ready to get relief from plantar fasciitis? Contact DMV Foot & Ankle to schedule your evaluation. 


DMV Foot & Ankle 106 Irving St NW Ste 402 Washington, DC 20010

Phone: 202-726-1800

Email: care@dmvfoot.com


Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:45 AM - 3:00 PM

Thursday: 7:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary. Please consult with Dr. Mattia to determine if laser therapy is appropriate for your specific condition.

 

About the Author: Dr. Alex Mattia, DPM, is a dual board-certified podiatrist specializing in advanced foot and ankle care at DMV Foot & Ankle in Washington, DC. He completed his surgical residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Washington Hospital Center, and holds certifications from both the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine.

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