What is the difference between Podiatry and Orthopedics?

[T-shirt]

Okay.. why do podiatrists exist? what is their purpose if orthopedics are around.. don't orthopedics take care of feet and ankles as well?

i'm wondering so if any of you know, please enlighten me. Thanks everyone! later!

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[Toran]

A podiatrist focuses only on disorders of the feet, while an orthopedic surgeon has a wider perspective of the whole body. Particularly, orthopedic surgeons relate to the joints of the body.
So, podiatrists are somewhat of a specialist under orthopedics, but are not recognized as such.

 

[docuw]

Furthermore... from my perspective, I would go to a Podiatrist for things like an ingrown tonail, foot fungus, and those types of dermatological disorders. I would personally leave the foot recontruction stuff (serious bunions, bone "things") to an Orthopedist...

but thats just me. Some people let podiatrists to hack jobs on their feet... I have seen some pretty untrained Podiatrist work screw up on some pretty serious orthopedic work.

-Doc

 

[edmadison]

Another thing,

Traditionally, Orthopedists don't do a lot with feet, other than the ankle. In the past their training has been rather scant in the area and they concentrated on other parts of the body. This is changing, but I have been told by practicing Orthopods that there is a tremendous need for Orthopods who do feet.

-ed