The American College of Foot andAnkle Surgeons (ACFAS) is a nationalmedical specialty society with a membership of 6,800 foot and anklesurgeons. In addition to providing continuing medical education and research opportunities for its members,the ACFAS educates patients and consumers about foot health and theconditions that foot and ankle surgeons treat.

Information about foot health is available at the ACFAS patient education website, Foot Health Facts, at www.foothealthfacts.org.

Common Questions and Concerns

Is it normal to have pain in the foot or ankle?No, pain or discomfort isn’t normal. Itsignals a problem that needs to beevaluated, diagnosed, and treated by a specialist who fully understands thispart of the body.

If I go to a foot and ankle surgeon,does that mean my problem willbe treated surgically?No. In fact, foot and ankle surgeons aretrained to make all reasonable effortsto treat foot and ankle problems non-surgically if at all possible. Surgery isrecommended only if other options are not feasible or do not adequatelyrelieve your problem.

Why would I need to see a footand ankle surgeon? The foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, 107ligaments, and 19 muscles and tendons—that’s a complicated network of tissues! And feet get quite a workout:

They hold us up, plus absorb the shockof each step we take. The way yourfoot is structured, the way it works, andthe way it affects other body areas (suchas your back) add to its complexity. A foot and ankle surgeon has the in-depth knowledge to diagnose andtreat conditions of this complex part of the body and works with your over-all healthcare team to ensure you are receiving the best care possible foryour foot and ankle conditions.

The Foot and Ankle SurgeonSpecializing in surgical andnonsurgical treatment of thefoot and ankle

When Should You See a Foot and Ankle Surgeon?Most people have a foot or ankle problem at one time or another. Sohow do you know when to see a footand ankle surgeon?

Sometimes it’s obvious that you need to seek help, but at other times it’s lessclear. In reality, many symptoms—eventhose you can tolerate—may require professional attention to keep the under-lying condition from worsening.

Here are some reasons to see a foot andankle surgeon:

� An injury (a sprain, broken bone, etc.)� Swelling in your foot or ankle� A medical condition (diabetes, poor circulation, etc.) that can affectthe feet

� Impaired ability to function in certainactivities

� Heel pain in the morning � Any painful condition of the foot,ankle or lower leg

� Discomfort after standing for awhile� Changes in the appearance of yourfoot or ankle

� An abnormal growth

Foot and ankle surgeonstreat all symptoms andconditions affectingthe foot and ankle, such as bunions, heelpain (plantar fasciitis),flatfoot, foot or anklearthritis, sports injuries, tendon disorders,fractures (broken bones), diabetescomplications, ingrown toenails, neuromas, dermatological conditions,tingly feet, hammertoes, and much more.

Why Choose a Foot and Ankle Surgeon?Intensive, focused training and in-depthexperience are what set apart the footand ankle surgeon from other physicians.

During their education and training,foot and ankle surgeons devote moretime to a wide variety of foot and ankleprocedures than do other surgeons. Because of this critical difference, footand ankle surgeons are the most appropriate specialists to promptly diagnose and treat various foot andankle conditions.

A foot and ankle surgeon must completefour years of podiatric medical schooland typically three years of a residencyprogram in foot and ankle surgery. Thisresidency is similar to—and integratedwith—residencies for all physician spe-cialties. During their residencies, DPMsreceive training in internal medicineand general surgery in addition to theirfocus on the foot and ankle.

Certification by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (ABPS) ensuresthat the foot and ankle surgeon hascompleted appropriate training, successfully performed a diverse rangeof foot and ankle procedures with goodsurgical skills and judgment, and passedrigorous oral and written exams.

Members of the American College ofFoot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS)—a medical specialty society devoted to advancing foot and ankle health—are board-certified or in the process of becoming board-certified by theABPS. The over 6,800 members have dedicated themselves to continuingtheir training and excelling in the fieldof foot and ankle surgery for the benefit of the patients they serve.

Foot and Ankle Surgeons: Specialists in Total Foot and Ankle CareFoot and ankle surgeons are podiatricphysicians who specialize in the surgicaland nonsurgical treatment of a varietyof conditions that affect people ofevery age.

A foot and ankle surgeon holds an advanced degree as a Doctor of PodiatricMedicine (DPM). Podiatric medicinedeals with the bones, soft tissues, andfunction of the foot and ankle, as wellas how podiatric conditions may relateto other parts of the body.

Foot and ankle surgeons provide a wide range of care—from nonsurgicalmethods to correct common podiatricproblems to state-of-the-art correctiveand reconstructive surgical techniques.