what happens at podiatrist appt?

[anniemae]

I made an appt with a podiatrist for my foot pain. I literally cannot walk when I wake in the morning, the bottom of my feet hurt so much. It loosens up during the day, but never goes away completely

Has anyone gone for an appt with a podiatrist? What does the exam consist of? Just wondering what to expect.

 

[npmommie]

I occasionally help out my friend who has a podiatry clinic.
If you came in I would take a brief health history, list of meds you are on.........take the history of your problem, symptoms onset etc etc.........
physical exam of your problem foot/feet.
then treatment/plan based on what I thought the problem was.
possibly med prescription too.

 

[minniecarousel]

I think my doctor initially asked me questions about my symptoms, then manipulated my foot, asking what hurt, where. He may order x-rays. Mine gave me foot exercises. I learned how to ice it. (2 methods: filled a used roundish water bottle with water, froze it and roll it under my foot; and filled a five ounce Dixie cup with water, froze it, then peel away the cup and rubbed the ice on my sole.)

I have also had: physical therapy, cortisone patches, custom orthotics.

Good luck!

 

[lovetoscrap]

They may do an Xray to check for anything. It is pretty quick and easy, they have a specialized machine that you just step onto for foot Xrays.

The Dr will probably just push in different places on your heel and ankle to identify the exact areas of pain. They should show you some stretching exercises and some of the other things that can help out.

Depending on your doctor's methods, they may suggest a cortisone shot, a night splint or orthotics in addition to the other things mentioned, or any combination of them.

 

[Micca]

First, they tickle the bottom of your feet for a few minutes. You will be strapped down so ressitance will be futile.

 

[minkydog]

First, they tickle the bottom of your feet for a few minutes. You will be strapped down so ressitance will be futile.

OP: Look up Plantar Fasciitis. BTDT, got the $600 orthotics Good luck at the podiatrist.

 

[KAMLEM]

I occasionally help out my friend who has a podiatry clinic.

So are you a podiatrist, too??

 

[minniecarousel]

I forgot about the night splint! That helped tremendously with my PF.

 

[beattyfamily]

Welcome to the world of Plantar Fasciitis.

I had the same issues after several Disney trips with shoes without enough support. I did research and kind of knew before I saw the doctor what it was.

Anyway, he just listened to me, gave me advice and tips which was never go barefoot again, wear good shoes with arch support (he said New Balance sneakers were the best), do NOT wear Crocs or flip flops, gave me some stretching excercises, told me to freeze water bottles and rub your arches on them daily etc...

He gave me some options like custom inserts or a slpint at night but meanwhile gave me a pair of Superfeet (green) inserts for my shoes which did wonders. He also gave me cortisone shots (OUCH!!!). They helped for awhile. He also wrapped one foot, which was the worst off and I kept that on for a few days. Then I implemented some of his advice/tips and I hardly ever have pain anymore and I do not go to him anymore.

Since then, I never go barefoot. I have a pair of slip on NB sneakers with the green inserts for around the house.

I bought Orthaheel Tide Flip Flops and they are amazing!!! Never thought I could wear flip flops again but I was wrong. No blisters and no heel pain ever and I even wore them to Bermuda sightseeing and to the mall all day!

Oh and for my sundresses I have a pair of Rocket Dog Crush flip flops and I have worn them for hours dancing with no pain and no blisters. I LOVE them!

In the winter I wear sneakers and other shoes with the green inserts always.

Good luck!!!

 

[lilosurf11]

When I was in grade school I had to go because I had ingrown toenails (TMI and yuck!) I had to fill out some forms and then the podiatrist looked at my foot. I wouldn't be too worried, it should be fine. Good luck!!

 

[aprilgail2]

OP: Look up Plantar Fasciitis. BTDT, got the $600 orthotics Good luck at the podiatrist.

Thats what it sounds like to me! Orthotics are a LIFE SAVER! I got to the point where I could not walk in the mornings once I started wearing the orthotics it was like magic- no more pain anytime of the day! Mine were covered in full by insurance but even if they were not it would have been well worth the money!

 

[anniemae]

Thanks everyone, I feel better about going now!

I had done some research on line and suspect I have planters facitis. My knees hurt as well as my hands and I think it's all connected. My knees hurt since I am not walking correctly and my hands hurt since I am grabbing onto railings etc. Is it common for other areas to hurt like that from PF?

 

[anniemae]

Oh and one more question-what are orthotics?

 

[minkydog]

Oh and one more question-what are orthotics?

Orthotics look like insoles. They can be custom made or you can buy them at a shoe store. They don't show and no one knows you're wearing them. Orthotics help to balance your fore-foot, heel and ankle so they're more stable. The end result is you don't have so much pain. The thing about feet is, they hold up everything else. So when we develop foot pain (and thereby change our gait) it puts a lot of stress on our ankles, knees, hips and back. And even our shoulders, if we're hunching our shoulders because we're limping all the time.

Personally, I have had the best experience with the custom orthotics.

Thats what it sounds like to me! Orthotics are a LIFE SAVER! I got to the point where I could not walk in the mornings once I started wearing the orthotics it was like magic- no more pain anytime of the day! Mine were covered in full by insurance but even if they were not it would have been well worth the money!

I"ve been wearing orthotics for 10 years now and my insurance has not paid for them even once! But you are right--it is WORTH the money to pay for them out of pocket. I can hardly walk without mine, to the point that I am actually debilitated with my feet.

This will strike you funny: We were pulling our camper a few weeks ago and the car went out of control and the whole thing rolled over(okay, this wasn't funny!) Once we got everyone out of the car and safe I realized that I didn't have shoes on--they were in the camper! Some Army guys stopped and offered to go into the camper(which was on it's side) to retreive stuff for us. All I could think about was my brand new $600 orthotics somewhere in that camper. Well, and my husband's heart meds (ahem!) They climbed up on top of the camper, lowered themselves in and rooted around. Came back with BOTH shoes in hand and a pocketful of meds. Hey, I can get more meds at the pharmacy. I can't just walk around with no orthotics for 3 weeks while new ones get made.

 

[aprilgail2]

I"ve been wearing orthotics for 10 years now and my insurance has not paid for them even once! But you are right--it is WORTH the money to pay for them out of pocket. I can hardly walk without mine, to the point that I am actually debilitated with my feet.

This will strike you funny: We were pulling our camper a few weeks ago and the car went out of control and the whole thing rolled over(okay, this wasn't funny!) Once we got everyone out of the car and safe I realized that I didn't have shoes on--they were in the camper! Some Army guys stopped and offered to go into the camper(which was on it's side) to retreive stuff for us. All I could think about was my brand new $600 orthotics somewhere in that camper. Well, and my husband's heart meds (ahem!) They climbed up on top of the camper, lowered themselves in and rooted around. Came back with BOTH shoes in hand and a pocketful of meds. Hey, I can get more meds at the pharmacy. I can't just walk around with no orthotics for 3 weeks while new ones get made.

I would be in pain if I had to go 3 weeks without orthodics--and in more pain if I had to spend 600 again after just paying that for new ones!
I get a new pair every couple years and my insurance always pays for all of it, I have never had to pay for them.