Podiatrists are doctors, who specialize in the field of foot and ankle treatment, or precisely, specialize in the structures of the leg. A podiatrist is also known as a chiropodist, and it is in his field of expertise to look into any kind of problems related to feet, for example:

When visiting a doctor, we generally make sure that our symptoms and reasons for trouble are jotted down, our case history is with us, and the previous prescriptions are in order. We should do the same when we visit a podiatrist. Discussed below are certain things that one must keep in mind while visiting a podiatrist.

#1. Case history: Carry any previous prescriptions you may have. If you are undergoing any medical treatment at the same time, do carry the details with you, such as test reports etc. Ensure that doctor goes through your case history in detail, and you must update him about any medical conditions you may have.

#2. Vanity comes second to health: However well-groomed you may want to look, it needs to be kept in mind that the doctor needs to examine your condition in detail. Nail paint may hinder him from seeing the exact ailment you are suffering from. The podiatrist is here to examine the state of the patient’s foot, just the way it is. He might not be able to do a proper diagnosis if the toe nails are covered with nail paint, because many fungal infections or abnormalities get hidden by the paint. Similarly, when a person gets a pedicure, there are chances that he or she might become vulnerable to the various diseases and infections. In some cases, it can also lead to dislocation of foot bones. Similarly, while examining the feet, the doctor may also feel the need to get a sample of the toe nail and have a look at the hair growth on the legs. Shaving does not allow the podiatrist to do so, making one’s treatment incomplete.

#3. Footwear: Many a time, people visit a podiatrist with foot pain. In such cases, the doctors generally want to examine the kind of shoes the person is wearing, in order to diagnose the problem properly. The shoes may even be changed by a foot doctor, and special kinds of shoes may be recommended if a doctor feels that the problem lies with the kind of footwear you are wearing. Therefore, it is recommended that when consulting a podiatrist, wear the footwear you generally use.

#4. Clean your feet before the visit: Although a patient is supposed to show his/ her feet just the way they are for proper diagnosis, it is always advisable that the person cleans his feet before he visits the doctor. Cleaning does not include getting a pedicure, since that may do more harm than good, but it involves the washing and drying of feet. This is to ensure that the doctor does not have to face the brunt of a dirty or smelly pair of feet while examining the patient.