Podiatric vs. Orthopedic Surgeon

Lack of awareness about foot and ankle surgery options can often lead to unwise decision making. If you suffer from an ailment of the foot or ankle then first you need to look at doctors who specialize in the problem you currently face. People will recommend a Podiatrist or an orthopedic surgeon in most cases of foot surgery Northwest Indiana.

However, you must understand clearly the similarities and differences between the two to determine who is suitable for your issue. 

What exactly is their specialization?

A common person simple sees a foot or an ankle when they look at it. A doctor observes a lot more: skin, blood vessels, nerves, muscles, tissue, nails, tendons, joints, bones, etc. An orthopedist treats medical problems related to bones (breaks, weakness, etc), tissues (muscles, vessels, nerves, tendons, etc), and toe or ankle joints. This covers a vast area but not all. Of course, they both diagnose and treat ailments related to them even surgery.   

However, there are a few other aspects of foot and ankle illnesses that orthopedics do not specialize in and will probably recommend a podiatrist for them.

As you may know, the skin all over your body does not possess the same nature. The dermatological aspects of foot and ankle must be taken care of by a qualified podiatrist. Their education and training focuses only on these two parts of the human body so they are more capable of finding feasible solutions for your problems. If you find it hard to move certain parts of your foot or ankle then consult a reliable podiatrist. Any issues that restrict movement in these areas are dealt with by podiatrists.