How to Choose a Podiatrist: What to Look For

Most people pick a podiatrist the same way they pick any doctor — whoever is covered by insurance and has availability. That works fine for routine issues. For anything more complex, knowing what to look for makes a meaningful difference in the quality of care you receive.

Check Board Certification First

Two separate boards certify podiatrists in the US:

• ABPM (American Board of Podiatric Medicine) — certifies in podiatric medicine, non-surgical care, and conservative treatment
• ABFAS (American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery) — certifies in foot surgery, ankle surgery, or both

Board certification requires passing rigorous exams beyond the basic DPM degree. A board-certified podiatrist has demonstrated competency to an independent standard. Check your podiatrist's credentials at certificationmatters.org or ask the office directly.

A DPM without board certification isn't necessarily a bad doctor — many excellent podiatrists choose not to go through the certification process. But for surgery, board certification in foot and ankle surgery specifically is worth requiring.

Match Specialty to Your Condition

Podiatry has subspecialties just like medicine. A podiatrist who sees mostly diabetic wound care patients is different from one who primarily treats runners. Match accordingly:

• Sports injuries, heel pain, running: Look for a sports medicine focus or a podiatrist who works with athletes or sports teams
• Diabetic foot care: Look for wound care certification (CWS) or specific diabetic foot care experience
• Surgery (bunions, hammertoes): Look for ABFAS board certification in foot surgery
• Pediatric issues: Ask specifically about experience treating children

Check Where They Did Their Residency

The residency is where a podiatrist develops their surgical and clinical skills. A 3-year residency at a major academic medical center or high-volume hospital generally provides more training than a shorter or lower-volume program. You can ask the office or look up the podiatrist's profile on hospital or practice websites.

Questions to Ask Before Booking

• "Are you board certified, and by which board?"
• "How many patients with [my condition] do you see per year?"
• "Do you have in-office X-ray capability?"
• "What is your approach to conservative treatment before surgery?"
• "Do you accept [my insurance]?"

A good podiatrist will welcome these questions. Evasiveness or defensiveness about credentials is a red flag.

Read Reviews — But Read Them Correctly

Google and Healthgrades reviews are useful but require interpretation. Look for patterns rather than individual reviews. Consistent mentions of long wait times, billing issues, or feeling rushed are more meaningful than one or two outlier reviews. Five-star reviews that mention specific procedures or conditions are more credible than generic praise.

Avoid putting too much weight on reviews for clinical decisions — a podiatrist with fewer reviews may be newer to practice, not worse at medicine.

Proximity Matters More Than You Think

A 45-minute drive discourages follow-up visits. Foot conditions often require multiple appointments — for orthotics fittings, injection follow-ups, or post-surgical care. A slightly less credentialed podiatrist who is 10 minutes away and who you'll actually see consistently will often produce better outcomes than a more decorated specialist you see once.