Whether you have mild discomfort or chronic pain, a foot doctor is able to help evaluate your issue and suggest tailored treatments. Understanding the process of your first podiatry visit can help familiarize you with the standard procedures a foot doctor may follow. Here is more information about what to expect during your first visit:
Completing an Evaluation
After you check in for your appointment, your foot doctor reviews your medical history. This includes reviewing any previous injuries, current medications, and lifestyle factors contributing to your pain. Foot pain can be influenced by activities such as long periods of standing or extensive running. If you wear shoes that do not provide adequate support, you may also experience pressure sores or deformities on your feet.
Your podiatrist performs a physical examination of your foot and ankle; they check for swelling, deformities, and abnormal color. They also move the ankle and foot to test for the proper range of motion or to test strength. Depending on your specific foot issue, they may have you walk around the room to analyze your gait and see if your condition is causing you to limp.
A few diagnostic tools involved in the evaluation process include X-rays and ultrasounds. A foot x-ray is beneficial for diagnosing broken bones or arthritis, while ultrasounds identify soft tissue injuries. Completing a comprehensive evaluation helps the foot doctor understand how your feet and ankles are functioning and checks for small problems that could worsen over time.
Discussing Common Conditions
Based on the results of your physical exam, your podiatrist is able to discuss any problems they find. Issues like bunions, corns, hammer toes, and swelling have physical symptoms that are easy to see. While some foot problems are easy to spot, others develop beneath the surface and may not show outward signs. Deeper issues include nerve damage, biomechanical problems, or plantar fasciitis. Other problems that affect the feet include:
- Early arthritis
- Poor circulation
- Ligament injuries
- Stress fractures
Implementing Care Solutions
A foot doctor is able to recommend certain treatments that are tailored to your specific condition. Some issues can be addressed quickly in the office; removing calluses, fixing ingrown toenails, and treating minor infections require simple measures that allow most patients to resume normal activity quickly. Your doctor is also able to prescribe medications to manage inflammation or infections if necessary. Orthotics are a simple, non-surgical solution to certain foot issues. Individuals with flat feet or plantar fasciitis benefit from the support that custom orthotics provide. Instead of purchasing a one-size-fits-all orthotic at a store, your podiatrist is able to help you create a product that is tailored to your specific needs.
Some issues require more extensive medical care or even surgery. Such treatments can often be scheduled for a later date. Neuropathy often causes severe nerve pain and numbness. Your feet are treated surgically to relieve pressure on the affected nerves. Bone spurs, which are bony growths that develop on the heel or toes, can create persistent pain; a podiatrist may recommend removal if conservative treatments like physical therapy don’t work. Ingrown toenails are another common issue that requires minor surgical solutions. When the nail continues to grow into the skin, causing pain and inflammation, your podiatrist may have to remove part or all of the nail.
Meet With a Foot Doctor Today
Your feet support you in movement throughout the day. Your ability to walk, run, jump, and perform other activities can be affected by various foot conditions. For individuals with diabetes, proper foot care is key because even minor cuts or injuries lead to infections or ulcers, especially if neuropathy reduces sensation in the feet. To improve comfort or address recurring pain, schedule an appointment with a reliable podiatrist today.
