Choosing a Podiatrist

Podiatric foot and ankle surgeons are the surgical specialists of the podiatric profession. They provide complete medical and surgical care for a variety of conditions that affect people of every age.

What education has a Podiatric foot and ankle surgeon received?

After completing an undergraduate education. The foot and ankle surgeon completes the four-year curriculum at an accredited podiatric medical school obtains the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). Although identical in length to programs at medical schools for osteopathic doctors (DOs) and medical doctors (MDs), and covering basic and clinical sciences. The podiatric medical school curriculum also provides intensive focus on conditions of the foot and ankle.

Post-Graduation Residency

After graduation from podiatric medical school. The podiatric foot and ankle surgeon enters a post-graduate residency in podiatric medicine and surgery approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education. These residencies are similar to, and are often integrated with, residencies for MDs and DOs, and provide training in general medicine, general surgery, and surgical specialties. The critical difference is podiatric surgeons in residency programs have the higher volume of cases and time focused on the foot and ankle.

Dr. DiNucci's Specialization Journey

Dr. DiNucci performed a two-year surgical residency in Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgery and a one year Fellowship in Advanced Reconstructive Foot and Ankle surgery.  Three years of surgical residency of intensive surgical cases involving basic to the most complex foot and ankle reconstructive surgeries and trauma. He completed an AO (association for Osteosynthesis) trauma fellowship at the Harborview Medical Center under the direction of world renowned Trauma and Foot and Ankle Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sigvard Hansen.  Dr. DiNucci has been practicing over 15 years and has successfully performed thousands of surgeries and procedures involving the foot, ankle, and lower leg.

What is a Board Certified foot and ankle surgeon?

The intensive process leading to certification by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (ABPS) includes four years of post-doctoral clinical experience. Completion of an approved residency, a large number of surgeries representing a diverse range of foot and ankle surgical procedures, and successful completion of an extensive two-part certification process, in addition to submitting surgical case logs. ABPS is recognized by the Joint Committee on the Recognition of Specialty Boards of the Council on Podiatric Medical Education.

ABPS protects patients by advancing the art and science of podiatric foot and ankle surgery. Their certification ensures that ABPS-certified surgeons have completed appropriate training, successfully performed a diverse range of podiatric surgical procedures, and passed their extensive written and oral examinations.

Dr. DiNucci is certified in both foot surgery and reconstrucive rearfoot and ankle surgery. As of November 2010, he is one of only 679 podiatric foot and ankle surgeons nationally with this level of certification. Dr. DiNucci has been a member of the ABPS reconstructive rearfoot oral examination committee and has served as an oral examiner.

What is the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons?

Foot and ankle surgeons who have achieved certification by ABPS are eligible to become Fellows of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). This 6,000-member specialty medical society provides continuing medical education programming to its members, and serves to educate patients and consumers about foot health and the conditions that foot and ankle surgeons treat.

What problems do Podiatric foot and ankle surgeons treat?

Podiatric foot and ankle surgeons provide comprehensive medical and surgical care for a wide spectrum of foot and ankle conditions including common to complex disorders and injuries that affect people of all ages. They are uniquely qualified to detect the early stages of diseases that exhibit warning signs in the lower extremities, such as diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular disease, and they manage foot conditions which may pose an ongoing threat to a patient’s overall health.
*modified from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons