How to choose a foot doctor

How to choose a foot doctor

Foot and ankle are critical parts of our body. Foot and ankle conditions that require medical attention are not uncommon, however, most people do not know what to look for while choosing a foot and ankle specialist. Therefore, discussed below is how you can choose a foot doctor.

Firstly, understand that like for every other body part, there are specialists for foot and ankle also, and they are called Podiatrist. A podiatrist is a medical professional who is devoted to the treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower extremities. A podiatric surgeon is a doctor who specializes in foot surgery.

Podiatrists treat a range of foot conditions. The most common foot problems include muscle pain, nail infections, ingrown toenails, foot injury, blisters, ligament pain, warts, arthritis, calluses, sprains, corns, neuromas, bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, heel spur, and smelly feet.

Some podiatrists, however, are equipped to treat even special conditions like surgery, wound care, sports medicine, diabetic reflections on foot, and pediatric care. You may need to visit a podiatrist cypress tx at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center if you have a foot injury, or foot and ankle pain, or visible deformities on foot.

In fact, a podiatrist can also prescribe the right kind of shoes for your feet! Hence, it is best to visit a podiatrist even for the slightest of discomfort, to treat the condition in the initial stages itself. Podiatrists have years of study invested in the foot and ankle regions, hence, from muscle to skin, they can treat most types of foot and ankle conditions.

• Identify your case

Now, in order to choose a foot doctor for yourself, it is advisable to find a doctor who specializes in your case if you know for sure what the condition is. However, you can visit a general physician initially, who can diagnose the problem, and in most cases, can even treat it. Sometimes, it is best to find one that has a comprehensive amount of services, including both medical and surgical competencies.

Dr Ejodamen Shobowale, DPM, is a general podiatrist, a foot and ankle doctor in Houston, Texas. She provides treatment at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center, for sprains, hammertoes, heel spurs, nail fungus Achilles tendon pains, etc. This specialist is known to offer quality ankle and heel pain treatments and is one of the leading foot doctors in Houston, Texas. Dr Shobowale also performs procedures and minor surgeries as per the requirement.

• Set your comfort zone

Health is a very personal concern, hence, it is important that you should be comfortable with your doctor, in order to get the best out of the treatments. Comfort is a big part of receiving medical treatment, especially for the foot area, that may require touching and probing in order to diagnose the situation. Therefore, be very aware of your comfort limit and accordingly look for a doctor who suits your comfort level.

• Choose an Expert

It is always better to look for non-surgical treatment options first. To do that, you will require to see a podiatrist who is not only an expert but also has years of experience. Experience speaks volume for they may have seen numerous cases, and hence, will probably suggest the best treatment for you.

If you have already diagnosed your condition, then the next step would be to choose the right expert to treat you. If you require surgery, opt for a surgeon directly, and if you need medication, you may go for a podiatrist. Some podiatrists also specialize in foot conditions arising due to another bodily malfunctioning like diabetes, which requires a different approach for treatment. Hence, depending on the case, look for a suitable specialist or expert.

• Consider the monetary aspect

It is a known fact that every doctor has their own rates for treatment, depending on their expertise and experience. It is not advisable to compromise on your treatment just because it is a bit costly. However, you should watch out for the fees and charges, so as to find one which offers quality treatment for an affordable price.

You may also avail insurance for major treatments. In that case, you should look for a podiatrist or surgeon who can be covered through your insurance money.

• Convenience

There is no point in choosing an expert podiatrist if you cannot avail their service conveniently. Understand that foot conditions inhibit your movement, you may not be able to walk or drive. Hence, choose a podiatrist who has working hours that fit your schedule, in the vicinity, you can easily access and also fits your bills.

• Referral

It is best to seek reference for foot and ankle doctor in houston tx from a trusted source if you do not know what you are looking for. The easiest way is to approach your general physician, who can then refer you to a good podiatrist. This can be especially useful if you have emergency conditions that require immediate attention, or are extremely rare cases and may be difficult to find an expert.

In conclusion, choosing the right foot and ankle doctor is very important, as the foot is a sensitive part of your body that requires special attention, and is often overlooked. Many people do not even realize that they have a foot condition until the problem becomes severe. It is advised to get regular checkups, especially if you have health conditions like obesity, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, cholesterol or heart diseases. If you are a sports person, you must be prone to foot and ankle injuries, which if not properly tended to, can get extremely severe.

Therefore, look out for the symptoms of a foot condition, like smelly feet, sharp or burning pain, tenderness, numbness or tingling sensation, ulcers and sores, discolouration, calluses or hard skin. Get them checked as soon as possible, as prolonging attention may lead to something much more complicated and malignant.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Houston, TX. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.