A podiatrist is a physician who has received the degree of "Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). The podiatrist is a specialist in the treatment of foot, ankle and leg problems. Before a DPM degree is conferred, a student must complete four years of medical training after college in all aspects of medicine and surgery identical to that of general medical students. In addition, the podiatry student must complete additional course work with special emphasis on lower extremity conditions. Podiatrists then receive one to three years of residency training in surgery, orthopedics, or primary medicine.

Many patients seen by the podiatrist are referred by family practice physicians and other specialists who wish to have their patients treated by a doctor trained specifically in foot, ankle and leg disorders. In addition to surgical training, podiatrists have extensive training in the non-surgical treatment of foot, ankle and leg problems. There is no other specialty that has as extensive training in these areas as the podiatrist.

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