What can you expect from your first podiatrist's appointment?
Podiatrists are doctors who specialise in ailments affecting the feet. If you have any pain or other problems with your feet, an appointment with a podiatrist will be your first step to a solution. Here is a quick guide to what will happen at your appointment.
Medical history
First of all, you will be asked about your medical history. The podiatrist will need to know about your general state of health and any medications that you are taking. You will probably be asked if there is a history of any medical problems in your family. You may also be asked about your habits with your feet, such as unusual footwear or if you play sports. This helps the podiatrist to get to know you as a patient.
Discussion
You will then discuss the particular problem that has brought you to the podiatrist. You should try to be as specific as possible, explaining where the pain is located and how often you experience it. You may want to make notes about your problem in advance so you don't forget anything.
Examination
The podiatrist will now examine your foot. They will check for any visual problems such as corns, bunions, warts or fungal infections. They will probably check your lower limbs, as problems here could lead to problems in the feet. They may also do an ultrasound scan, a painless non-invasive scan that checks for poor blood flow.
Treatment
Once the examination is over and any further tests have been made, the podiatrist will suggest a treatment plan based on what they have found. This may include suggestions about diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes. Many issues with the feet are actually caused by obesity, so losing weight may remove the problem. They may also prescribe foot orthotics, special inserts that you wear in your shoes to provide extra support for your feet. If your problem is that you do not balance on your feet correctly, you may be prescribed a special boot which should improve your gait and positioning. Finally, you may be given medications such as anti-fungal creams or tablets to deal with any infections. These treatments will ensure that the root cause of your foot pain is removed so that the problem does not re-occur.
The two keys to a successful outcome are to give all the relevant information to the podiatrist and to follow their advice in the treatment plan. You can then rest easy knowing that your foot pain will be relieved as quickly as possible. Speak to a medical service like Beenleigh Podiatry Centre to find out more.