DPM vs. MD?

DPM is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.

Education:  A DPM has the same undergraduate prerequisites as an MD or DO physician.  A DPM goes to a 4 year medical school. The major difference is that DPM’s actually take more classes in regard to lower extremity anatomy, surgery, biomechanics, and bracing.  DPM’s chose their specialty and focus from day one, thus giving focus toward the specialty 5 years before other doctors.

Training: An average DPM (since 2000) does a 2 year residency.  These residencies involve rotations through all specialties and have the same requirements, guidelines, and demands as other doctorate specialties.  Usually a DPM will be on additional hospital call during the course of their residencies in order to cover the foot and ankle emergencies that come into the hospital.  

Capabilities:  Dr. Gregory has the same hospital surgical-medical privileging as any other Foot and Ankle surgeon-physician.  The primary difference is the consideration of a patient's biomechanics in regard to conservative and surgical treatment.  DPM’s not only prescribe orthotics and bracing, but are directly involved in their design, construction, and follow-up to assure they are effective. (Please see “orthotics”). 

DPM’s prescribe medications, create orthotics and braces and perform surgery .  Levels of surgical services do vary amongst DPM’s based on their training; this is true among MD’s and DO’s as well.  Some DPM's treat only the forefoot, some focus on the rear foot and still others specialize in the entire foot and ankle.  Likewise, there are general orthopedists who treat only foot and ankle and those who treat neither. Because of the large diversity of practicioners in this specialty, patient research is crucial.  It is advisable to Inquire about a doctor's training, to obtain references and to seek second opinions.