How To Prepare for a Podiatrist Appointment: A Patient’s Guide

Patients often don’t visit a podiatrist until their foot issues become almost impossible to bear without treatment. Still, seeing a foot doctor for preventative care before problems start or worsen is best. As a patient, there are ways that you can prepare for a podiatrist appointment to ensure that you have all of your questions answered and all of your foot care-related needs met. Dr. James Hurst is an experienced podiatrist at the Centreville Foot & Ankle & Sports Medicine in Centreville, VA, who can assist with a wide range of foot conditions.

Why It’s Important to See a Podiatrist

Your podiatrist’s office isn’t just where you make an urgent appointment after an injury or major foot pain. Your Centreville, VA, podiatrist is a valuable source of support for maintaining good foot health as well. Seeing a podiatrist at least once per year will help you prevent the development and progression of major foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, or bunions. Foot doctors can also help diabetic patients with persistent issues with ingrown toenails and foot wounds.

How to Prepare for Your Appointment

After scheduling your next appointment with your Centreville, VA, podiatrist, these are some of the steps you can take to prepare for your visit:

• Document the pain and other symptoms you’ve been experiencing and where. Does it affect the bottom of the feet, ankles, heels or toes? What type of shoes do you wear every day?
• Write down a list of specific questions you have for your podiatrist.
• Gather your medical records, including any medications, diagnoses, treatments and any recent lab results for your foot doctor to review.
• If you have mobility issues, ask a trusted loved one to accompany you to the upcoming appointment to help.

Treatments Your Podiatrist May Recommend

If your podiatrist diagnoses you with a foot condition, you can relax knowing it can be treated immediately. The treatment plan may include:

• Shockwave therapy can help regenerate and heal damaged tissue.
• The design of custom orthotic devices to wear in your shoes.
• Medications to treat infections or corticosteroid injections for pain.
• Heating and icing the feet intermittently can promote healing and reduce inflammation.
• Surgical procedures to fix the alignment or structure of the foot.

Make Time for Foot Care

Call 703-830-3338 today to schedule your appointment with a podiatrist at Centreville Foot & Ankle & Sports Medicine in Centreville, VA. Then, you can start preparing for your visit. Dr. James Hurst and his team can help you get to healthier, stronger feet.