Your First Visit to a Maryland Podiatrist: What to Expect

Quick Facts

Get a referral from your primary physician
Ask questions
Bring a loved one & take notes

Podiatrists are medical professionals who specialize in the health of the feet. Our feet are the thankless heroes of our bodies, and we rarely think of them or notice them until there is something wrong, such as a bunion, plantar fasciitis, a sports injury, a diabetic ulcer, or any other problem that affects our feet and ankles. If you have an issue with your feet, a good podiatrist can help you get back on your feet again, but before you make that first visit, here are some steps to take (sorry for the puns).

To schedule a free case review with a podiatrist malpractice lawyer serving Baltimore, call Brown & Barron at (410) 698-1717 or contact us online today!

Get a referral from your primary physician

You don’t necessarily need a referral from a primary care physician (PCP) to see a podiatrist, but you should anyway. Your PCP can advise you if your situation requires a podiatrist and they can likely provide a possible recommendation for a podiatrist that specializes in your particular ailment. The physician might take x-rays or scans that your podiatrist will need, and if you have certain health insurance, it can be much less expensive if your PCP orders those scans.

Ask questions

Many of us have been conditioned to be “good patients.” This is a person who is exceedingly polite and doesn’t want to take too much of a doctor’s time or risk offending them with questions. It is BAD to be a “good patient.” A smart patient asks a lot of questions. At your first podiatry exam, you want to ask a lot of questions, especially if surgery is being considered. Ask your primary care physician for advice on what questions you should ask. Here are some basic ones you might want to ask:

What is the most conservative (safest) approach to my problem?
What clinical studies are there to support the approach you’re recommending?
Have you done this procedure before and what are the best and worst results for people like me?
Is the risk of this approach worth the reward? (e.g., Is fixing my occasionally sore toe worth the risk of maybe never walking again?)

Good doctors like questions. If your podiatrist is bothered by 15-30 minutes of questions, you should probably find another podiatrist.

Quick tips on what to expect from your first visit to a podiatrist

Bring a loved one & take notes

When you are discussing a medical procedure, you are at a disadvantage because there can be a lot of words that the average person doesn’t understand. Also, it can be a lot of information at once. If most people were given a quiz after any medical consolation regarding important details, they’d probably fail it. That is why it is important to bring a loved one or a friend along to help you get all the information. Two heads are always better than one. Whether you bring a partner or go solo, someone should take notes. You will have plenty of opportunities to put your trust in the podiatrist. However, before you make any decision on a podiatry procedure, take good notes on your questions and the podiatrist's answers and recommendations.

What Should I Do If I Suspect Podiatry Malpractice?

The vast majority of podiatry cases result in extraordinary care for the patient by talented and passionate professionals. Like all professions, there are inferior practitioners, and even the competent ones are not immune to unfortunate mishaps. When errors happen due to a podiatry error or negligence, it can result in long-term disability for the patient. For the victim of a podiatry error and their families, it can mean years of expenses and economic losses that can translate into thousands if not millions of dollars. It’s only fair that those responsible for medical malpractice contribute to help the families recover those damages.