A foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon performs complex surgical procedures, not performed by a podiatrist. There can be some overlap in what a podiatrist treats and what an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist treats such as the simpler conditions of sprains and strains.

Wear comfortable, supportive shoes to your appointment, and make sure they are easy to remove for the foot inspection. Your podiatrist may need to examine the shoes you wear for work, as well as what you wear to exercise or play sports, so it is a good idea to bring any and all footwear that you wear regularly.

Both podiatrists and orthopedists can treat foot and ankle problems. You can see either type of doctor for surgical and nonsurgical solutions. If you want to see an orthopedist, it's a good idea to choose a doctor that specializes in foot and ankle pain.

A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine and surgery who specializes in caring for your feet and ankles. They examine, diagnose and treat issues that affect your feet, ankles and lower legs. You might see them referred to as podiatric physicians, podiatric surgeons or podiatric foot and ankle surgeons.