Foot pain is extremely common and millions of patients schedule a podiatrist appointment each year for diagnosis and treatment. A podiatrist is a physician who specializes in foot and ankle care, and is well trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating both common and rare diseases of the foot and ankle. While an examination of the feet and various tests can result in an accurate diagnosis.
The history of the condition reported by the patient is as important as a clue in determining what is causing the pain or problem.
This article looks at several key information points that a patient should have before seeing the podiatrist to help with the diagnosis.
Your complete medical history
The first thing one should collect before seeing a podiatrist, or any other doctor, for the first time, is her medical history. This includes all medical conditions for which one has been treated, in addition to coughs or colds, including childhood illnesses. You should also compile a list of all surgeries you have had from head to toe. All medications currently being used and their dosages, if possible, all allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medications.
Chemicals or other materials, and a list of any other medical problems or symptoms one is actively dealing with. Even if it is not related to the foot. The foot is connected to the body, and many chronic diseases or changes in the body due to previous surgeries can directly affect the foot and lead to foot pain, skin disease, or inflammation. A podiatrist will also need to know current medications and medication allergies in order to safely prescribe medications for treatment if needed.
Tell your Podiatrist the nature of the pain or problem
It is important that you try to isolate the exact place where you are experiencing pain or discomfort. The foot is a very complex part of the body. With numerous tendons, muscles, bones, nerves, skin structures, and joints that can be a source of pain or disease. Simply pointing to the foot in its entirety and telling the podiatrist that it hurts “there” does not help. One should try to focus beforehand on isolating the location of the pain. Or at least the general side of the foot on which the pain appears.
How to find a Podiatrist near me
Some conditions create pain throughout the foot and cannot be isolated. If this is indeed the case, the podiatrist in Chattanooga Tennessee will want to know for sure rather than assuming that the patient simply has not focused enough on the location of the pain. Knowing the general location of the pain can save valuable diagnostic time. As the problem can be more easily addressed by the doctor. The nature of the pain can help determine the nature of the disease process. For example, heel pain is common and is usually acute due to plantar fasciitis.
However, constantly burning heel pain may indicate some other condition altogether. By letting the podiatrist know if the pain is sharp, stabbing, burning, tingling, throbbing, itching, etc.. One can have a faster and more accurate diagnosis. As the pieces of the puzzle will fit better in the mind of the podiatrist who determines the nature of the problem.
When and how the problem started
It is important to remember how long ago and under what circumstances the problem started. Some conditions are treated differently if they are present for a time rather than newer. The length of time the condition has been present, in whatever severity or form. Can provide insight into how it evolved, as well as the overall prognosis for the condition. treatment. . The circumstances of how a condition appears can also help determine whether the condition is due to an acute injury. A situation of chronic stress or strain, or whether it stemmed from some other condition such as a secondary injury or compensation by the body for the initial injury.
What makes the pain or problem appear or disappear
In many cases. The situations that cause the problem to appear or resolve may indicate the best way to treat it. For example, if foot pain is felt when walking barefoot alone rather than when wearing athletic shoes. Then the condition can be more easily treated with better structural support in addition to the usual treatment for the actual condition. Also, the diagnosis may depend on this information.
