The skilled podiatric team at Central Kansas Podiatry Associates understands that any first appointment with a doctor can cause anxiety and be a little unsettling—especially because you don’t know what to expect. While it’s normal to be apprehensive about creating a new patient-doctor relationship, Dr. Benjamin Weaver and his team will make you feel welcome and comfortable.
Dr. Weaver will spend time explaining each step of the exam process with you and answer any questions you have. We believe that when you’re informed, you can make informed decisions about your health. Here, help you prepare for your first podiatry visit and know what to expect.
Your First Podiatry Appointment: Steps to Prepare
After you contact our podiatry team, there are a few things you can do to prepare for your visit. Our team offers some helpful tips to get you ready for your appointment:
- Jot down information about your medical history, so you can share it with our team. This may include the medications you take, past and current illnesses, injuries, treatments, and surgeries.
- Make a list of the symptoms you’re experiencing.
- Write down any questions you have about your symptoms or anything you want to ask Dr. Weaver about the appointment.
- Jot down any information you’ve read or heard regarding the symptoms you have or your concerns about a type of illness or condition, so he can explain if this information is accurate.
- Prepare your feet by making sure you’ve washed and dried them thoroughly and removed any nail polish, so Dr. Weaver can evaluate your toenails during your exam, as well.
- Bring with you the shoes you wear often and/or on a regular basis. These might include athletic shoes, dress shoes, and your work shoes.
Your First Appointment: What to Expect
After Dr. Benjamin discusses your medical history with you, he’ll conduct a thorough physical exam of your ankles, feet, and possibly your lower legs. This may include the following:
- A visual check to look for any type of abnormality. This could include discoloration of the skin, calluses, bunions, or hammertoes. This check will also include looking at your foot structure and any alignment issues that be causing your symptoms.
- A hands-on exam to feel for tender spots, to check for joint mobility, and to assess the strength of muscles that control the movement of your foot. This evaluation will help to identify problems that might not be obvious during the visual check.
- A gait analysis to observe your walking pattern. This will help assess how your feet function when you move normally. Dr. Weaver may ask you to walk barefoot to see how your foot hits the ground.
- Neurovascular testing to check the nerve function and circulation in your feet. This is especially critical if you have diabetes or other conditions that affect blood flow.
For some conditions, Dr. Weaver might use specialized tools to measure pressure points on your feet or to evaluate the height of your arch while standing. These measurement tools will help guide his recommendations for treatment.
Other Types of Possible Tests
Depending on your symptoms, Dr. Weaver may recommend various diagnostic tests to confirm a diagnosis or rule out certain conditions. These may include the following:
- X-rays. These are commonly taken during a first podiatry visit, especially if you're experiencing pain. These images allow us to see the bones in your feet and ankles and identify arthritis, bone spurs, fractures, or other identifying fractures, arthritis, bone spurs, or other structural problems that could explain your symptoms.
- CT scan, an ultrasound, or an MRI. For soft tissue injuries that don't always show up clearly on X-rays, Dr. Weaver might order these other tests. These advanced imaging techniques provide detailed views of tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues that X-rays can't capture.
- Blood tests. These might be ordered to check for conditions such as diabetes, gout, or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Biopsy. If Dr. Weavers suspects you have a skin condition or infection, he might take a small sample of skin or nail tissue for a lab analysis.
Dr. Weaver will explain why each test is necessary and what information it will provide about your condition. Don't hesitate to ask questions about the purpose, procedure, or cost of any recommended diagnostic tests.
Treatment and Follow-Up Care
After completing the exam and any necessary diagnostic tests, we will discuss the findings and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your specific condition. We might suggest conservative treatments first, recommend custom orthotics, and/or injections to reduce inflammation and pain.
Before leaving your appointment, we will provide clear instructions about any at-home care, including activities to avoid and what should prompt an immediate call to the office.
What You Can Expect From Our Team
At Central Kansas Podiatry Associates, you can expect excellent podiatric care. Our medical professionals will treat you with the respect and care you deserve as a patient. You can expect the highest quality medical care, cutting-edge medical facilities, and only the most effective medical techniques. Read our testimonials to learn how our patients feel about our practice.