Put Your best foot FORWARD
In addition to December being the time of year that most of us are enjoying the beauty and magic of the holiday season, it’s also the time that many of us begin to think about the coming new year. It is a common time to reflect on what we have experienced over the past year, and to begin thinking about what we can do to make a difference in our lives in the coming year.
For many of us, the additional standing and walking we’ve been doing during our annual holiday shopping experiences has only accentuated the pain in our feet. This is also the time of year that many of us dress up more often in order to attend holiday parties, travel, and attend services at our chosen religious institution. This generally includes the wearing of our fancier dress shoes, which may only serve to accentuate our foot pain.
As such, while we’re contemplating what we can do to make a difference in our lives in the coming year, one might wish to consider seeking a consultation from a podiatric or orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon as to what would be involved in correcting our foot problems so that we can be more comfortable when next year’s holiday season rolls around.
A podiatric or orthopedic consultation generally involves a review of one’s medical history, a complete physical exam of the feet and ankles, and often, a review of x-rays of the feet. For the proper diagnosis of many foot problems, the preferred method for taking x-rays is to take them while the patient is standing. Sometimes additional tests are also performed to test the level of arterial blood to the feet since adequate circulation is not only healthy, but is a requirement for patients to properly heal from foot surgery.
In addition to meeting the doctor and his/her staff to see if they have rapport and feel comfortable when meeting the new foot and ankle surgeon, there are three things that most patients want to learn about during this visit:
1) What type of foot problems are present and responsible for
2) What can be done to treat these foot problems?
3) What will the cost be for this treatment?
Of course, there are many more common questions that patients generally ask, such as the location of the surgery, what type of bandage, surgical shoe, cast, crutches, etc. will be necessary, whether it will be necessary for the doctor to insert any pins, wires, screws, or implants in the foot/feet and whether those will be removed or remain in the foot/feet. A discussion of alternatives to foot surgery and potential complications should also take place during this visit.
Finally, for those of you that have satisfied your 2018 health insurance deductibles, you may wish to consider having your feet treated before the this year as new deductibles usually commence on January 1.
My thanks to all of you who have been reading these monthly columns for the many years I’ve be been writing them and my very best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season and a wonderful new year. one’s foot pain? end of