ortho or podiatrist - Foot Problems Message Board

Lasoniamacaroni · 09-25-2003, 04:20 PM

Can you please tell me why some of you went with a orthopedic surgeon versus a podiatrist? For those of you who had bunionectomies by an ortho, why did you choose this route?

thankyou

snodove · 09-29-2003, 01:49 PM

Hi,
I have surgery Dec 31 by a orthopeadic surgeon. I was going to go to a foot doctor but ... she wasn't certified and I was kind of ify.. about that. So I did some research and then my neighbor had my orthopeadist do hers on both feet and she really liked him and did well. He was very careful and did the latest surgery on her foot and kept a really close eye on her. I went to see him and was very pleased. He explained everything in detail.
I think I did the right thing but will know more later after surgery. Hope this helps. Polly

PMCW58 · 09-29-2003, 07:00 PM

I used an orthopaedic M.D. but I know some podiatrists are just as qualified. My orthopaedic also did a foot fellowship(training after residency) so feet are his only specialty. The other orthopaedics in his practice have other specialties. I think it might be more important to talk to people who have used the Dr. you're thinking about. Ask medical friends, too.

goodluck · 09-30-2003, 08:06 AM

I went to podiatrist but regret not going to orthopedic. I think that cases that required any toe adjustment/realignment vs just sheving the bunion should be handle by an orthopedic.

crankyc · 09-30-2003, 04:04 PM

Hi sonia,
Podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon, which to choose? Sometimes the argument sounds almost political. The key is to find someone who has expertise in the type of surgery that you need. My podiatrist is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon with 17 years' experience doing the type of surgery I needed, and who teaches the technique. Also, I found out that podiatric surgeons are trained to do the very same surgical procedures to correct bunion deformities that orthopedic surgeons do. If you prefer an orthopedic surgeon, it's very important that you choose one who specializes in the foot, and has performed many bunion surgeries. If your orthopedic surgeon specializes in knee replacement, for instance, all the impressive credentials in the world won't improve your odds for success if he hasn't worked on a bunion since medical school. Ask a lot of questions, and make sure you get satisfactory answers before consenting to any kind of surgery.
Be well,
Chris