Expert Foot & Ankle Care in Seattle
Dr. J. John Hoy, Dual Board-Certified Podiatric Physician and Surgeon, specializing in complex and routine lower-extremity conditions.
The foot and ankle are an anatomic region, and podiatry is the specialty dedicated to that region. Foot and ankle problems are often treated by many types of healthcare providers, including primary care physicians, orthopedic specialists, physical therapists, and wound care clinicians. Each plays an important role in patient care. However, the diagnosis and comprehensive management of foot and ankle conditions often require specialized physician training focused specifically on this part of the body.
Why Patients Often Start in the Wrong Place
Today’s healthcare system offers many entry points for foot and ankle problems. Patients may first visit an urgent care clinic, primary care physician, physical therapist, sports medicine physician, or orthopedic practice. Each plays an important role, but many focus on one aspect of care rather than the entire problem.
A podiatric physician serves a different role. Because podiatrists are trained exclusively in foot and ankle medicine and surgery, they are uniquely qualified to establish the diagnosis, determine the underlying cause of symptoms, and coordinate the full treatment plan—from conservative care through surgery when necessary. Rather than simply providing one treatment, podiatrists help patients understand what is causing the problem and what treatment is most appropriate.
In pain? Don’t wait. Early treatment leads to faster recovery. Urgent appointments available. Schedule now or call: 206-682-8741.
Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) are physicians and surgeons whose education and residency training are devoted exclusively to the foot and ankle. This focused training provides extensive expertise in lower-extremity anatomy, biomechanics, systemic disease affecting the foot, and both conservative and surgical treatment options.
Because podiatric physicians diagnose and treat the full spectrum of foot and ankle disorders, they can serve as the physician specialists who guide care from the patient’s first evaluation through rehabilitation and recovery. While many patients are referred after months of unsuccessful treatment elsewhere, many conditions benefit from early specialty evaluation, allowing an accurate diagnosis before unnecessary tests, therapies, or delays occur. The following overview explains the education, training, and certification that define podiatric medicine and surgery.
Collaboration with Referring Providers
Foot and ankle conditions are frequently managed collaboratively with primary care physicians, orthopedic specialists, physical therapists, and wound care teams. Podiatric physicians work collaboratively with primary care physicians, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, sports medicine physicians, vascular surgeons, endocrinologists, wound care teams, and emergency departments. Rather than replacing these providers, podiatrists frequently serve as the diagnostic specialists and coordinators of foot and ankle care, helping determine the underlying diagnosis while guiding patients toward the most appropriate medical, biomechanical, rehabilitative, or surgical treatment. At Seattle Foot and Ankle Center, Dr. Hoy values close communication with referring clinicians to ensure patients receive comprehensive, coordinated care.
Specialized Training at a Glance
4 years post-baccalaureate podiatric medical school – focused entirely on the foot and ankle
3+ years hospital-based residency – full exposure to medical, surgical, and biomechanical foot and ankle care
Dual board certification (ABPM & ABFAS) – expertise in both medical and surgical management of complex conditions
Fellowship recognition – American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
Ongoing continuing education – maintaining top-level proficiency in the latest treatments and surgical techniques
What is Podiatric Medicine and Surgery?
Podiatric medicine and surgery is a doctoral level medical and surgical profession. It is that profession of the health sciences concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the human foot, ankle, and their governing and related structures, including local manifestations of systemic conditions, by all appropriate systems and means. A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is the fully licensed physician and surgeon of the lower extremities.
Feet are complex anatomical structures, all-in-one stabilizers, shock absorbers, and propulsion engines that are instrumental to overall health and well-being. They require expert care.
“Foot pain” describes a symptom—not a diagnosis.
Heel pain may result from plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, stress fracture, nerve entrapment, inflammatory arthritis, or other conditions requiring entirely different treatments. Likewise, an ankle sprain may involve ligament injury, tendon tears, cartilage damage, occult fractures, or chronic instability.
The podiatrist’s role is not simply to provide treatment, but to determine which condition is present, explain why it developed, and guide the patient through the most effective treatment plan. When additional expertise is needed, that care can be coordinated as part of the treatment plan.
Many physicians who treat the musculoskeletal system encounter foot and ankle conditions as part of broader orthopedic or general medical practice. In contrast, podiatric physicians devote their entire medical education and residency training specifically to the foot and ankle, providing a depth of specialization focused exclusively on lower-extremity care. The most qualified health-care professionals to treat the feet have the letters “DPM” after their name. The DPM means a physician has completed years of rigorous foot and ankle training in podiatric medical school and hospital-based residency training, making him or her uniquely qualified to care for this part of the body.
Podiatric physicians and surgeons, also known as podiatrists or foot and ankle surgeons, work with all organ systems of the foot and ankle, including the vascular, neurological, dermatological and musculoskeletal systems. Treatment can be medical, surgical, or biomechanical. (Biomechanics is the study of how the foot and leg function when the foot contacts the ground.) The podiatrists’ extensive knowledge of biomechanics allows them to alleviate many conditions with conservative therapy rather than surgery, and improve surgical outcomes. When necessary, surgically-trained podiatrists have the capability to fix the most complex foot and ankle conditions.
Although podiatrists are extensively trained in foot and ankle surgery, surgery represents only one part of modern podiatric practice. Most patients improve through accurate diagnosis, biomechanical evaluation, activity modification, footwear changes, custom orthotics, medications, injections, regenerative treatments such as shockwave therapy, rehabilitation, and other conservative treatments. Surgery is recommended only when it offers the best opportunity to restore function after appropriate non-operative care has been considered.
Doctors of Podiatric Medicine have undergone extensive education, training and board certification focused on the foot and ankle. They undergo more education and training specific to the foot and ankle than any healthcare provider and are the experts for a wide range of complex foot and ankle care.
Focused Expertise in Foot and Ankle Care
While many healthcare providers treat foot and ankle problems as part of broader medical practice, podiatric physicians dedicate their entire medical education and residency training specifically to this region of the body.
This focused approach provides extensive experience in:
• Lower-extremity biomechanics and gait analysis
• Medical and surgical treatment of foot and ankle disorders
• Sports-related injuries of the foot and ankle
• Diabetic foot care and wound management
• Structural deformities and reconstructive surgery
Unlike many healthcare providers who encounter foot and ankle conditions as one part of a broader practice, podiatrists devote their careers exclusively to this region of the body. This concentrated expertise allows them to recognize subtle diagnoses that may otherwise be overlooked while coordinating treatment across multiple disciplines when necessary.
Because of this specialized training, podiatric physicians perform the majority of foot and ankle procedures in the United States and serve as key members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams managing lower-extremity conditions.
While physical therapists, wound care clinicians, and other healthcare professionals play important roles in rehabilitation and specialized aspects of care, podiatric physicians are uniquely trained to diagnose the underlying medical or structural cause of foot and ankle problems and determine the full range of appropriate treatment options. This physician-level training allows podiatrists to serve as the comprehensive diagnostic specialists for foot and ankle conditions, coordinating medical management, biomechanics, rehabilitation, advanced imaging when indicated, and surgery when necessary—all within one specialty.
Why Early Evaluation by a Podiatrist Matters
Many patients spend weeks—or even months—trying different treatments before receiving an accurate diagnosis.
Beginning with a podiatric physician often allows patients to:
- Receive an earlier, more accurate diagnosis
- Avoid unnecessary referrals between multiple providers
- Begin the most appropriate treatment sooner
- Reduce delays caused by fragmented care
- Understand both surgical and non-surgical options from the beginning
An accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment. For many foot and ankle conditions, determining what is causing the pain is more important than deciding which treatment to try first.
Education
In the United States, podiatric physicians and surgeons complete four years of post-baccalaureate medical school, followed by several years of residency. Their training is equivalent to that of other physicians, with education, clinical training, and board certification closely paralleling those of their allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) colleagues. Podiatric education, by necessity, covers systemic health care. In fact, podiatric medical students often learn alongside MD and DO students.
Candidates for admission to Podiatric Medical Schools are expected to complete baccalaureate degrees before admission. As with institutions granting MD (medical doctor) and DO (doctor of osteopathy) degrees, the colleges will consider candidates who show unusual promise and have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours at accredited undergraduate colleges or universities. About 95 percent of all first-year students entering the colleges of podiatric medicine possess baccalaureate degrees, and about 10 percent have master’s degrees. Applicants for admission are required to complete the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as a prerequisite.
The course of instruction leading to the DPM degree is four years in length. The first two years are devoted largely to classroom instruction and laboratory work in the basic medical sciences, such as lower extremity anatomy, general human anatomy, neurobiology, genetics and embryology, histology, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and pathology.
During the third and fourth years, students concentrate on courses in the clinical sciences, gaining experience in the college clinics, community clinics, and accredited hospitals. Clinical courses include general diagnosis (history taking, physical examination, clinical laboratory procedures, gait analysis, biomechanics, and diagnostic radiology), and therapeutics (pharmacology, sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthotics, shoes, and prosthetics, surgery and anesthesia). Other courses include general medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, research, ethics and jurisprudence.
Postdoctoral Education
After completing the four-year course and receiving the DPM degree, the graduate is required to complete postdoctoral work before state licensure.
As they near graduation, prospective podiatric physicians seek postdoctoral residency programs. These standardized, three-year programs, designed to strengthen and refine the practitioner’s medical, surgical, biomechanical skills, are based in hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
US-trained podiatrists have complete rotations through hospital departments and full exposure to all pathologies in the major areas of medicine during residency, including emergency medicine, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, anesthesia, radiology, pathology, infectious disease, endocrinology, sports medicine, physical therapy, biomechanics, geriatrics, internal medicine, critical care, cardiology, vascular surgery, psychiatric and behavioral health, neurology, pediatrics, dermatology, pain management, wound care and primary care.
Following residency, the podiatric physician may enter practice or continue their education through Fellowships in specialized areas of study.
Licensure, Practice and Continuing Education
Licensure testing occurs after the second and fourth years of school. The federal government classifies podiatrists as physicians, as does the majority of U.S. states, and numerous healthcare institutions. Podiatrists are not allied health professionals (AHPs) with doctorates. AHPs are typically defined as non-physician providers who support care teams through diagnostic, technical, or therapeutic services.
Podiatric Physicians are licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to treat the foot and its related or governing structures by medical, surgical, mechanical, or other means. The doctors are licensed by the State in which they practice. Podiatrists can focus on many fields, including surgery, sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic care.
Podiatric physicians and surgeons are an integral part of the healthcare team treating the majority of foot and ankle related issues in the United States. In addition to private practices, many podiatrists today are also part of group medical practices. Many orthopedic practices employ podiatric surgeons to manage foot and ankle cases. They serve in hundreds of prestigious medical centers, on the staffs of hospitals and long-term care facilities, the faculties of schools of medicine and nursing, as commissioned officers in the Armed Forces and US Public Health Service, in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and in municipal health departments. They are leaders in the field, working side-by-side with allopathic and osteopathic colleagues, often serving as faculty to train MD/DO students, residents, and fellows—and in some cases, orthopedic surgery residents. Read about our practice.
As licensed physicians and surgeons with independent authority to make clinical diagnoses, perform treatment and prescribe controlled substances, podiatric physicians and surgeons are required to complete 100 hours of continuing education every two years for licensure in the State of Washington. There is heavy attendance at many educational programs and seminars developed and presented each year by the colleges and podiatric medical associations.
Legislatures and hospitals modernize scope of practice laws and privileges for podiatrists consistent with the advancements in podiatrists’ education and training: four years of medical education, national boards, three years of residency, and lifelong CME. Podiatrists’ education and training mirrors the rigor of MD and DO training.
Board Certification
Podiatrists can earn board certification with advanced training, clinical experience, and by ultimately taking an exam. In its continuing efforts to protect and improve public health and welfare, APMA has recognized and approved two specialty boards that certify in three areas: primary podiatric medicine, podiatric orthopedics, and podiatric surgery. These boards confer certification on a podiatric practitioner who has satisfactorily passed written and oral examinations and has demonstrated knowledge and experience in his or her chosen specialty. These boards are the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM), which certifies medical and orthopedic care, and the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS), which certifies surgical care. Dr. Hoy is certified by both boards and is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. Dual board certification reflects advanced training and demonstrated expertise in both the medical and surgical management of complex foot and ankle conditions.
Read about the advantages of choosing a podiatrist with dual Board Certification
The American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, the only certifying board for foot and ankle surgeons, utilizes a demanding, comprehensive certification process encompasses passing written examinations, submitting simple and complex surgical cases and completing simulations of cases. This ensures diplomates perform a diverse and extensive range of foot and ankle surgeries and that they have demonstrated the highest level of proficiency to earn board certification.
To demonstrate continued proficiency, podiatric physicians and surgeons participate in continuing certification programs with their respective boards.
Podiatric medicine and surgery is the definitive, comprehensive medical and surgical specialty that deals exclusively with the foot and ankle.
The Role of the Podiatric Physician in Foot and Ankle Care
Foot and ankle conditions are increasingly managed within a fragmented healthcare system. Patients may begin with primary care, urgent care, physical therapy, sports medicine, emergency departments, orthopedic practices, or other specialists. While each contributes valuable expertise, patients often benefit from a physician whose training is devoted entirely to diagnosing and treating foot and ankle disorders.
The podiatric physician serves as that specialty physician—bringing together diagnosis, biomechanics, conservative treatment, rehabilitation, medical management, and surgery when necessary into one coordinated treatment plan.
Rather than defining the specialty by surgery alone, modern podiatry emphasizes comprehensive care. Most patients improve without an operation. The podiatrist’s role is to determine the correct diagnosis, explain all appropriate treatment options, coordinate care with other healthcare professionals when necessary, and recommend surgery only when it provides the greatest benefit.
For patients, this means receiving care from a physician whose entire medical education and residency training focus on the foot and ankle. For referring providers, podiatric physicians offer specialized consultation and treatment for conditions that require focused expertise in lower-extremity medicine and surgery.
Dr. J. John Hoy’s dual board certification in both podiatric medicine and foot and ankle surgery reflects this level of specialized training and commitment to comprehensive foot and ankle care.
Why Many Patients Choose a Podiatrist First
Whether your problem involves heel pain, an ankle injury, bunions, tendon pain, diabetic foot disease, sports injuries, or chronic foot pain, beginning with a podiatric physician often provides the most direct path to diagnosis and treatment.
Because podiatrists combine physician-level diagnosis with expertise in conservative care, biomechanics, rehabilitation, and surgery, they can manage the entire course of treatment rather than focusing on just one aspect of care.
The goal is simple: provide the right diagnosis early, coordinate the appropriate treatment, and help patients return to healthy, pain-free activity as efficiently as possible.
“He was welcoming and listened well to the concerns I presented. I especially liked that I was able to write down my problem before I came in and he addressed them efficiently. I was diagnosed with a much different problem than I had been given before, and Dr. Hoy explained his simple, methodical method for his diagnosis as we went. I felt extremely cared for and like I will be able to make progress on my problem before I see him again. Definitely see Dr. Hoy if you’ve had problems seeing a general practitioner or orthopedist with no luck. It may be that you need a more specialized opinion.” -Samuel S.
Resources
The Evolution of International Podiatry: What American Podiatry Can Learn From the Global Profession
Why the United States Created a Separate Foot and Ankle Specialty
Podiatry Around the World: Why the American Model Is Unique—and Why It Matters More Than Ever
What is the Difference Between a Podiatrist and an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Fact Sheet About Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Facts About Podiatric Medicine
What is the Difference Between a Podiatrist and a Chiropodist?
Podiatric Medicine and Surgery As a Career
In pain? Don’t wait. Early treatment leads to faster recovery. Urgent appointments available. Read about Conditions We Treat. Request an Appointment 5am-5pm M-F or online. Call: 206-682-8741 or Contact Us. If you like our content, please link it to your website and Collaborate With Us. Thank you.