Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
Last reviewed: May 2026
| Training Stage | Duration | Description | vs. MD/DO Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Podiatric Education | 4 years undergraduate | Biology, chemistry, physics prerequisites | Same as medical school prerequisites |
| Podiatric Medical School (CPMS) | 4 years | Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM); anatomy, pharmacology, pathology, clinical rotations | Equivalent to MD/DO medical school with foot/ankle surgical focus |
| Surgical Residency (PMSR/RRA) | 3 years | Hospital-based foot and ankle surgery residency; trauma, elective, reconstructive, diabetic limb salvage | Equivalent to orthopedic or general surgery residency in duration |
| Board Certification (ABFAS / ABPM) | Ongoing (written + oral + case review) | American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery certification; highest standard in the specialty | Equivalent to board certification in orthopedic surgery or internal medicine |
| Fellowship (Optional) | 1 year | Advanced foot/ankle reconstruction, sports medicine, limb salvage | Equivalent to orthopedic subspecialty fellowship |
| Condition / Need | See Podiatrist (DPM) | See Orthopedic Surgeon | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plantar fasciitis / heel pain | Yes — first line | If failed DPM care | DPM manages 95% conservatively and surgically |
| Toenail problems (ingrown, fungus, trauma) | Yes — primary provider | Rarely | DPM scope: complete nail procedures, matrixectomy |
| Bunion surgery | Yes — first line | Yes (some overlap) | Both perform; DPM specializes exclusively in foot/ankle |
| Diabetic foot / wound care | Yes — DPM leads team | Vascular surgery if PAD | DPM leads diabetic foot amputation prevention programs |
| Ankle fracture | Yes — DPM manages most | Refer if tibial involvement above ankle | RRCPM-trained DPMs perform ankle ORIF |
| Sports medicine / Achilles / tendon | Yes | Yes (overlap) | DPM scope includes all ankle/foot tendons and sports surgery |
| Knee, hip, spine | No — outside scope | Yes | DPM scope is ankle and below |
Quick answer: What Is A Podiatrist Scope Training When To See is a common foot/ankle topic that affects many patients. The 2026 evidence-based approach combines proper diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills practices. Call (810) 206-1402.
Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
The most important clinical decision with What Is A Podiatrist Scope Training When To See isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
The most important clinical decision with What Is A Podiatrist Scope Training When To See isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
What Is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist — Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) — is a physician specializing in the medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the lower leg. Podiatric medicine is a distinct medical specialty with its own schools, residency programs, board certification, and subspecialty training.
The scope of podiatric practice is broad: from trimming nails and treating warts to performing complex reconstructive surgery on severely deformed or injured feet and ankles. Modern podiatric training includes comprehensive surgical education in bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, fractures, ankle reconstruction, and complex lower extremity conditions.
Podiatric Training
Podiatric physicians complete:
4 years at a College of Podiatric Medicine: Comprehensive medical curriculum including anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, and clinical rotations — with a focus on the lower extremity. Board examinations (APMLE) at multiple stages.
3-year PMSR/RRA residency: Hospital-based training in podiatric medicine and surgery, including rearfoot/ankle surgery. Many programs include extensive surgical training with board-certified faculty across multiple subspecialties.
Board certification: The American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM) and American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) offer board certification through examination and case documentation. Board-certified podiatric surgeons meet the same evidence-based standards as other surgical specialties.
Fellowship training is available in wound care, reconstructive surgery, sports medicine, and other subspecialties for those pursuing further expertise.
Podiatrist vs. Orthopedic Surgeon: When to See Which
Both podiatric surgeons and orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons treat foot and ankle conditions, and there is significant overlap in scope. Practical guidance:
See a podiatrist: Routine foot care (nails, calluses, warts, diabetic foot exams), plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, Morton’s neuroma, ingrown toenails, foot orthotics, diabetic foot complications, and most elective foot and ankle surgery.
See an orthopedist or foot/ankle fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon: Complex trauma (multiple fractures), significant sports medicine concerns spanning the entire lower extremity, conditions where hip or knee involvement requires integrated treatment with the foot, or cases requiring total joint replacement (some orthopedic programs have more TAR experience than some podiatric programs).
In practice, many conditions can be appropriately managed by either specialty. The specific physician’s training and experience with the condition matters more than the degree designation.
Common Reasons to See a Podiatrist
Heel pain, plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, warts, diabetic foot care, ankle sprains, Achilles tendinopathy, flat feet, high arches, custom orthotics, athlete’s foot, nerve pain (Morton’s neuroma), and any persistent or worsening foot or ankle problem that hasn’t resolved with self-care.
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✅ Pros / Benefits
- Board-certified podiatric surgeon with fellowship training — subspecialty-level expertise in foot and ankle
- Comprehensive scope — from routine care to complex reconstruction in a single practice
- MICA bunion surgery — a specific technical competency that influences surgeon selection
❌ Cons / Risks
- Not all foot and ankle conditions are within podiatric scope — complex trauma or conditions requiring total joint replacement may be better managed by orthopedic surgery
- Subspecialty training matters — board certification indicates completion of training standards, not specific technique expertise
- Second opinions are reasonable for any major surgical recommendation
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Patients often ask me whether they should see a podiatrist or an orthopedic surgeon for their foot problem. My honest answer: for most foot conditions — bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, Achilles tendinopathy, ankle instability, diabetic foot care — podiatrists with surgical training and fellowship experience are the most appropriate specialists. For complex multi-level lower extremity trauma or total joint replacement, it depends on the specific surgeon’s training and experience, not the degree. What matters most is finding a provider who has extensive specific experience with your condition and has the outcomes to show for it.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a DPM the same as an MD for foot problems?
A DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) is a physician who specializes specifically in the foot and ankle. An MD or DO orthopedic surgeon who subspecializes in foot and ankle has equivalent training for foot and ankle conditions. For most foot problems, a board-certified DPM with surgical training is the appropriate specialist.
What is board certification for a podiatrist?
Board certification from the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) requires completing an accredited residency, performing a documented case load of procedures, and passing comprehensive oral and written examinations. It’s the standard credential for surgical podiatrists.
Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist?
Most insurance plans allow direct access to podiatric care without a referral, though some HMO plans require PCP referral. Check your specific plan. Many patients self-refer based on symptoms.
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In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle
If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your foot or ankle condition, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with same-day evaluations and advanced in-office care.
APMA: Podiatric Medicine — Services, Conditions & Patient Resources
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Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.