According to American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), approximately 77% of American adults have experienced foot pain at some point in their life, and about one-third of those individuals seek care from a podiatrist. A podiatrist is a medical doctor with expertise in diagnosing, treating, and preventing these injuries and other medical conditions.
If you have sustained a foot injury or have foot pain due to an underlying condition, you may be looking for a podiatrist who can provide you with the right care. But, with so many doctors and podiatrists around, how do you find the right one for you?
Here are some useful tips for choosing the right podiatrist for your foot and ankle problems in West Orange, NJ.
Tip#1 Ask Your Social Circle and Your Doctors
Start your research by asking for recommendations from people you trust, like your family members, friends, and neighbors who may have seen a podiatrist in the past for their foot and ankle conditions or know someone who has. You can also ask them about their experience with their podiatrist, the services their podiatrist offers, and the ease of scheduling an appointment.
You can also request a referral to a podiatrist from your primary care doctor, like a family doctor. Compile all your recommendations and referrals and do background checks to narrow the list.
Tip#2 Find an Experienced Podiatrist
The more experienced your podiatrist is, the more successful the outcomes of your treatments will be. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a podiatrist with extensive experience treating foot and ankle conditions like yours.
Tip#3 Research Credentials
When looking for a podiatrist, choose a podiatrist who is board certified, as board certification indicates that the podiatrist has the necessary training, knowledge, and skills to administer high-quality podiatric care to patients.
You can check the credentials of the podiatrists from the state’s website or official databases.
Tip#4 Consider What Other People Say About Podiatrists
It is beneficial to check the online reviews of recently treated patients about the podiatrist you are interested in. These reviews will provide you with information about other patient’s experiences with the doctor and staff, the quality of care provided, and appointment wait times.
Tip#5 Accessibility and Convenience
Accessibility and convenience are important factors to consider when choosing a podiatrist. Foot or ankle injuries can limit your mobility or may cause walking difficulty; therefore, it is beneficial to choose a podiatrist that has a clinic located near your home or office and whose office hours are flexible.
Tip#6 Make an Appointment
Once you have completed all your research and narrowed your list, make an appointment with your short-listed podiatrists. In your meeting with potential podiatrists, ask the podiatrist questions and the concerns you have in your mind, and observe if the foot and ankle doctor understandably answers your questions.
Additionally, assess the staff’s behavior, observe how the practice operates, and determine whether you are comfortable with the podiatrist.
Ultimately, choose the podiatrist you are comfortable with and who considers your treatment preferences before developing a treatment plan.
Podiatrist in West Orange, NJ
Are you looking for a podiatrist for your foot and ankle injury or pain? Visit us at Hudson MD Group, where we have highly qualified and experienced podiatrists who provide top-notch podiatry services. We offer advanced non-surgical and surgical treatments so that you can get back on your feet faste
To schedule a consultation, feel free to call us today at (973) 705-4914 or fill out our online appointment request form.
