……to perform Major Foot Surgery (surgeries other than minor procedures such as ingrown toenails, warts, ulcer debridement, or excision of skin lesions) Examples of major foot and or ankle surgeries would include correction of bunions and hammertoes, excision of neuromas (nerve tumors), removal of bone spurs, removal of soft tissue masses, arthroscopic procedures, endoscopic procedures, arthrodesis procedures ( joint fusions), total joint replacement/implants, and correction of flat feet, high arch feet, or club feet.)

1. The Podiatric Surgeon should have completed a minimum of 2 years of a surgical hospital based residency approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association.
   
   
2. The Podiatric Surgeon should be board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery which is the only surgical board recognized by the American Podiatric Medical Association.
   (to verify click here): http://www.abps.org/pages/resources/locateDr/locateDr.asp
   
   
3. The Podiatric Surgeon should have surgical privileges at a hospital in the area.
   
   
4. The Podiatric Surgeon should be a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association,
   (to verify click here) http://iweb.apma.org/buyersguide/professionalsearch.aspx?x=31&y=5
   and the Georgia Podiatric Medical Association.
   (to verify click here) http://www.gapma.com/FindAPodiatrist.htm
   
   
5. If the procedure is performed in an office or surgery center, then the facility should be accredited by the American Association For Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. (AAAHC) or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), or the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF).
   
   
6. Your Podiatric Surgeon should have a good reputation in the community.