Podiatrists are doctors that specialize in diagnosing and treating issues pertaining to the foot and ankle.  Through out history there have always been doctors that focused primarily on foot and ankle care, but it was not until the early 20th century that podiatry was acknowledge as a protected field of medicine.  In the United States these specialist are recognized as “Doctors of Podiatric Medicine” (DPM).

Doctors of podiatric medicine generally have completed 4 years at an undergraduate school, 4 years at a medical school specializing in podiatry, and an additional 1 or 2 years in residency.  The first 2 years of medical school concentrate on the general medical curriculum that most physicians are required to complete.  The last 2 years focus on an in depth curriculum related to the foot and ankle.

When you schedule a consultation with a podiatrist in regards to a foot or ankle problem you know you are seeing a physician that has been properly educated and trained in the complex anatomy that makes up the foot and ankle.