What to Expect When You See a Podiatrist
Just like you see a physician for a checkup or an ophthalmologist for an eye exam, everyone – men and women of all ages and children, too – should see a podiatrist like Dr. Stavros O. Alexopoulos for an annual exam, even if they are not experiencing foot pain or other symptoms. Have you been wondering what happens when you see a foot doctor? Here’s some information to help you feel more comfortable any time you visit a podiatrist.
A visit with your foot doctor will be much the same as any medical appointment. Your doctor will probably begin with questions about your health and will want to know if you have been diagnosed with any illnesses, if you’re taking any new medications, and if you’re experiencing any new or unusual symptoms. Be forthcoming – you’re in a judgement-free zone! It’s especially important to share information around arthritis or diabetes, as these illnesses frequently affect foot health. Your podiatrist will also ask questions specific to your feet, like whether you’ve been experiencing heel pain. This is a common symptom that can point at plantar fasciitis, a treatable inflammation of the tissue spanning the sole of the foot from heel to toe, but it can point to other conditions as well. Your podiatrist will be able to pinpoint the cause of your discomfort.
A careful examination of your feet, ankles, and lower legs, will come next. Your doctor will look for anomalies to the appearance or shape of the feet, such as a toe rising out of line with the others, which might be a developing hammertoe or a new bump where the big toe meets the rest of the foot, which could mean a bunion. The skin on your feet will also get a thorough once-over, as your doctor looks for redness, scaling, itching, or flaking, any of which can indicate an infection. Your nails will be examined for signs of fungus or other conditions such as an ingrown toenail.
If your doctor finds cause for concern, a plan of care will be the final step. The good news is that many issues can be resolved with non-invasive treatment options such as custom orthotics, over-the-counter and prescription medication, new shoes, and physical therapy.
Are you ready to schedule an appointment for expert foot and ankle care? Call the friendly My Chicago Foot Expert staff at (773) 561-8100 or click here to schedule a visit with Cook County podiatrist Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM in our modern, comfortable Ravenswood office today.
