What is an Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Specialist?

The Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Specialist is an orthopaedic surgeon, and therefore a medical doctor.  He or she has received an additional year of specialty training in a fellowship devoted to studying the literature, research, diagnoses, and operative/non-operative treatment methods for the foot and ankle.   Prior to the fellowship training, the orthopaedic surgeon graduates from a medical school, spends one to two years in internship or basic surgery training, and then completes four years of residency in orthopaedic surgery.