What Is the Difference Between a Podiatrist & Orthopedist?

Although both podiatrists and orthopedists work with the musculoskeletal system, there are significant differences between the two. For example, orthopedists -- more commonly called orthopedic surgeons or orthopods -- and podiatrists have different medical degrees. The orthopedic surgeon is an MD -- Doctor of Medicine -- or a DO -- Doctor of Osteopathy. Podiatrists, however, earn a DPM, or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Both podiatrists and orthopods must be licensed to practice in all states.

Education is one of the most obvious differences between an orthopod and a podiatrist. Orthopods follow the traditional medical education path from college through medical school and residency. As surgeons, orthopods spend five years learning general surgery as well as their specialty, for a total of 13 or more years from college entry to completion of residency. Podiatrists are not required to have a bachelor’s degree -- although most do -- but need a minimum of three years of undergraduate education in specific subjects such as biology, chemistry and physics to attend a school of podiatry. The DPM is a four year degree and is followed by a residency which usually lasts three years, so a podiatrist might complete her educational requirements within 10 years.

Both podiatrists and orthopods treat and perform surgery on the feet and lower legs, but a podiatrist’s practice is limited to that area, while an orthopod might also work on the hips, shoulders, elbows, hands or spine. An orthopod might treat conditions such as fractures, dislocations and torn ligaments in any joint. In addition, an orthopod might treat scoliosis, arthritis, osteoporosis or bone tumors. A podiatrist will focus on lower leg and foot problems such as treating calluses, removing bone spurs, providing diabetic foot care or performing bunionectomies. Either professional might prescribe braces and splints for the lower legs and feet or shoe inserts called orthotics.

Because the orthopod has a much wider scope of practice than a podiatrist, many specialize in areas, such as spine surgery. Some orthopods limit their practice to the shoulders, hands, hips or feet. Others may perform a range of surgeries but specialize in pediatric care. Some orthopods choose specialties such as reconstructive surgery or sports medicine. Podiatrists could specialize in podiatric sports medicine, where they focus on treating and preventing foot and ankle injuries for athletes. Podiatrists might also specialize in pediatrics or might choose to perform only advanced surgical procedures such as foot and ankle reconstruction.

Another significant difference between podiatrists and orthopods is found in salaries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that podiatrists earned an average annual salary of $133,870 in 2011, while surgeons earned $231,550. The BLS groups orthopods with all other surgeons except oral-maxillofacial surgeons and obstetrician-gynecologists, who are tracked separately, so salary data incorporates information from a broad range of surgical specialties. However, the American Medical Group Management Association reported that orthopedic surgeons earned $501,808 annually in 2011.

Podiatrists earned a median annual salary of $124,830 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, podiatrists earned a 25th percentile salary of $78,130, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $182,420, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 11,000 people were employed in the U.S. as podiatrists.