Patient Checklist

Is this your first visit to a podiatrist?  Here are some tips to help prepare you for your appointment and let you make the most of your time with the foot and ankle specialists.

Before Your Visit:

1. Bring a list of your symptoms and questions.
2. Bring a list of all medications and any previous surgeries.
3. Gather and bring important medical records and laboratory test reports from other doctors or hospitals (including X-rays, MRIs, and lab results).
4. Check with your insurance provider to see if a referral is needed.
5. Call before your visit to tell the office if you have special needs.
6. Bring a friend or family member if you think it will be helpful.
7. If your problem involves walking and/or exercise, bring your walking/exercise shoes with you to the appointment.

During Your Visit:

• Review your list of questions.
• If you don’t understand an answer, ask for further explanation.
• Take notes and listen carefully.

ON-THE-JOB FOOT INJURIES

To remain a productive and valuable worker, you must be able to be on your feet with ease and comfort.

You have some risk of foot injury if you have a job that requires you to walk and stand for hours at a time.

Watch out for hazards like:

Surfaces that are oily, wet, slippery, hot. Sparks from metal, chemicals, static electricity. Wear shoes with a rubber sole to avoid these.




 These are some of the things you should keep in mind:

1. Be cognizant of the hazards at your work area and take the necessary steps to avoid an accident.
2. Keep your workstation clean and uncluttered.
3. Work steady at a moderate speed, pace yourself.
4. Focus on your duties, be attentive.
5. Do not take the shortcut, use all equipment properly.
6. Be thoughtful of those around you, safety first.
7. Watch for hazards, be alert.

Here are some things to remember when you are off-the-job:

1. Wash and dry your feet in warm water everyday.
2. Look at your feet everyday and check for any changes, redness, swelling, blisters, etc.
3. Keep your feet cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
4. Always trim your nails straight across or have your podiatrist do this for you.
5. See your podiatrist annually for regular check ups.
6. Always wear protective foot wear when you are in a construction zone, using  lawn tools, in extreme temperatures, moving heavy furniture etc.,

Your feet are very important and are the most likely to be exposed to hazardous situations. Because of the many dangers your feet could be in, you should talk to your supervisor about the correct shoes, boots or other protective equipment that you will need.

If you do receive an injury at work, make sure you tell someone in authority and get prompt medical attention. Pain in your feet is not something to ignore. See your podiatrist anytime you experience pain in your feet or ankles. They are foot and ankle specialists, they treat foot and ankle injuries all day.

TENDONITIS

WHAT ARE TENDONS?

Your tendons are soft tissues that connect your muscles to the bones. If you overuse your muscles, you could strain the tendons and develop TENDONITIS. 

Initially, you will experience pain and swelling and it will come and go quickly. But, if you do not let the muscles rest and continue to use that set of muscles too often the outer layer of the tendon may swell or some of the fibers in the tendon may rip apart. If you keep straining this set of muscles you will develop tendonitis. 



WHERE ARE THE TENDONS LOCATED?

There are four major tendons in the foot and ankle:

1. Achilles Tendon
2. Posterior Tibial Tendon
3. Anterior Tibial Tendon
4. Peroneal Tendon

The Achilles Tendon is located in the back of the foot. It connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. If you have tendonitis in the achilles you will have pain when your foot touches down or when your heel lifts off the ground.

The Posterior Tibial Tendon is located on the inside of the ankle and foot. If the pain is in this tendon you will feel  it hurt when your foot pushes forward off the ground, or when it moves back and forth.

The Anterior Tibial Tendon is on the front of your foot. It is where your foot first meets the ground. If this tendon is strained your pain will happen when you are going up and down the stairs.

The Peroneal Tendon is located on the outside of your foot. It wraps along the bottom of your foot, from the outside to the inside. You may experience pain when standing.

The best way to relieve the pain right away is ice and heat. Your Podiatrist may recommend anti-inflammatory medications and you should limit your use of these muscles and rest them for a few days.

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY 
Is a disease or condition that is caused by poor diet, injuries and other diseases. It involves loss of sensation, numbness, tingling and burning. It is a disease that can damage nerves in your feet and keep them from functioning correctly. It is very common in people who have diabetes. When your nerves are damaged you are more likely to injure your feet without being cognizant of it. Over a long period of time your neuropathy may lead to permanent loss of function in your nerves as well as joints.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Try eating foods that are healthy for you like meals high in Vitamin B. They can help nerve problems caused by poor nutrition. If you are diabetic, be sure to monitor your blood sugar often and develop planned menus.

Get plenty of exercise daily. It will improve the blood flow in your feet. It will also increase strength and flexibility in your feet. Start with low impact exercises like walking and riding a bike. Talk with your podiatrist or regular primary care physician about your routine. Make sure to give them a complete history of the exercises that cause discomfort or are difficult for you.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FEET
You need to examine your feet every day for problems. You need to have great shoes that fit properly. Check inside the shoe for rough seams and See your podiatrist for regular nail care and callus trimming. Be sure to watch for red spots or blisters or sores, calluses, color changes in the skin, thick or yellow toenails.