Most podiatrists in Scottsdale, Arizona, treat a variety of foot and ankle conditions, including the following: broken or injured ankles, bunions, arthritis, fallen arches, Diabetes Mellitus. So, where do you start with your research? How do you find the best podiatrist in Scottsdale, Arizona for foot and ankle pain? Read our tips for finding an adult and pediatric foot and ankle specialist to treat you and your family’s foot and ankle pain. If you’re suffering from severe pain in the foot or ankle, we encourage you to search for an emergency podiatrist for immediate intervention.
First, look for specialties
While most Scottsdale podiatrists can attend to common foot and ankle complications, only a handful treats more specific concerns of the foot and ankle, including the following subcategories:
- Podiatric Orthopedics
- Podiatric Sports Medicine
- Podiatric Primary Care
- Podiatric Surgery
- Pediatric Podiatry
- Preventative Podiatric Services
It’s critical that you find a podiatrist who can attend to your specific needs and concerns. Conduct your research online and search for “about” pages for each podiatrist to learn about their subspecialties and experience.
- If you are looking for a podiatrist that can handle a wide range of foot and ankle concerns, it may be best to select a podiatry practice over a standard health clinic or your primary care physician.
- If you have children, you will need a pediatric foot and ankle specialist who understands growing bones and ligaments and how to prevent future complications.
- If someone in your family suffers from diabetic foot and ankle pain, you may want a doctor with the necessary experience to monitor that condition
Next, look at education and affiliations
A medical degree and residency are part of the qualifications to practice in podiatry and idiopathic foot and ankle conditions. Many patients place great emphasis on the institutions from which their doctors graduated or completed their residencies. Hospital affiliations are also an excellent way to determine if a doctor is in the same network as the rest of your medical team.
Ask your primary care physician
Your primary care physician (PCP), who knows your general medical history and the symptoms you’re experiencing, can recommend you to a podiatrist. Your doctor works with an extensive network of other physicians and is likely familiar with their credentials and reputation. The PCP has the knowledge available and is in a position to filter out and assist you in selecting the best podiatrist in Scottsdale, Arizona, for you. If you already have a podiatrist in mind, consider speaking with your primary care physician to determine if they offer the care you need.
Ask your health insurance provider
Whether you were recommended to a podiatrist by a friend, family member, or PCP, double-check with your health insurance provider to ensure that your health plan will cover your podiatry visits. It is always good to confirm that your health insurance provider will cover your treatment with a particular doctor before scheduling a visit. You can also visit a podiatry clinic’s website for information about the insurance they accept.
Next, read testimonials
One of the best ways to find and evaluate a podiatrist is to read through online testimonials. Current (or past) patients can provide valuable insights about the quality of the foot and ankle pain treatment you might receive. A doctor who consistently receives positive reviews on sites like Google or Zocdoc will likely be a promising choice.
Contact professional organizations
Most medical specialties, including podiatry, have professional organizations to which the majority of physicians in a field belong. The American Podiatric Medical Association maintains a roster consisting of many of the nation’s podiatrists. If you don’t know where to begin, or if you want to verify the qualifications of a specific podiatrist, you can search the organization’s website to locate podiatrists close to where you live. This tool will provide each doctor’s contact information, education, qualifications, certifications, and office location.
Phone your top 2-3 offices
If you are undecided, narrow your search down to two or three podiatrists and phone their offices. Although you will likely not communicate with the doctors, pay attention to how the support staff responds to your inquiries. Are they pleasant and patient? Do they seem hurried or put you on hold? How easy is it to get an appointment? You can tell a great deal about the standards of the office from an initial phone call.
Consider the location
Often foot or ankle pain makes it difficult to travel long distances. To avoid discomfort during travel, consider choosing a podiatry office close to your home.
Partner with Arizona Foot Doctors for your foot and ankle pain needs
Through compassion, expertise, and transparency, the team at Arizona Foot Doctors strive to be the best podiatric choice for patients in and around Scottsdale, Arizona. Not only do we treat adults, but we also offer pediatric podiatry to help everyone in the family get back on their feet! Discuss with your primary care provider, your insurance company, and request an appointment at our practice to determine if Arizona Foot Doctors offers the foot and ankle pain treatment you need.