You should visit an experienced podiatrist if you have a foot injury or a sudden foot problem; and you should have an ongoing doctor-patient relationship with the podiatrist if you have diabetes or a chronic foot issue.
For your appointment with the doctor, you don’t have to do anything to prepare beforehand. Let’s talk about what you can expect at your first podiatrist appointment:
Medical History
When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll fill out a medical history report. It’ll ask you questions about your current foot problems, medical conditions, medications taken, and any previous surgeries. You’ll be asked about your habits related to your feet, and the questionnaire will include questions about your family medical history.
Talk About Your Foot Problems
When you meet with the podiatrist, the doctor will ask you about any foot problems you’re experiencing and how long they’ve been occurring. This is where you and the doctor can begin to establish a rapport with each other.
Physical Examination
You’ll then undergo a physical exam. Your podiatrist will look at your feet and check for any signs of issues like fungus, warts, corns, bunions, and other similar foot problems. The doctor will look at your toenails for any signs of discoloration or brittleness.
During your appointment, the podiatrist will also check your lower legs to assess for signs of poor circulation. You may be asked to walk for the doctor so that they can evaluate you for any gait problems.
Diagnostics
If the podiatrist thinks that further testing is warranted, they may order imaging scans like an ultrasound, bone scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look for any structural issues or blood vessel blockage or narrowing.
Your podiatrist may order blood work to check for things like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or various other conditions that could be causing pain in your feet. If your practitioner suspects you have an infection, they may collect a sample and send it to a lab for testing.
Treatment
If your foot issue is being exacerbated because you are overweight, the doctor may recommend that you alter your diet and exercise more to help alleviate your condition. Losing weight will help to relieve the excess pressure on your feet.
You may also receive medication to combat the foot problem. For instance, your doctor might prescribe a topical or an oral antifungal medicine, or a treatment for neuropathy.
You may also be recommended to get orthotics to help provide support if you have an issue such as fallen arches. Your podiatrist may prescribe a boot if you have supination or pronation, which can occur when your weight is distributed to one side of your foot when you stand or walk.
Skilled Podiatrists in San Antonio, TX
Here at The Podiatry Group of South Texas, our practitioners truly take the time to address your concerns, answer your questions, and thoroughly evaluate you for any leg, ankle, and foot problems.
Contact us today for a thorough foot examination with one of our podiatrists here in San Antonio. You may reach us at (210) 227-8700 or fill out our online scheduling form now. We look forward to helping you enjoy a more pain-free lifestyle once again!
