Foot pain - which dr?

[luvmyfam444]

I've had pain on the top of my foot off and on for a couple of years...,just attributed to the kind of shoe I was wearing - if I put on laced tennis shoes the pain went away until I wore Birks or flip flops or cheap slip on flats.
I finally went to urgent care because something panful was on the side of my foot - wasn't sure what it was - that dr felt like it is a cyst...also said Xray seemed to look like I had a fracture at one point . He put me in a boot. I have no pain wearing the boot but barefoot I do. He told me to go to a podiatrist.

My question is who should I see? my mom says an ortho . Friends say podiatrist.
if you've used one of the other why did you choose the one you did?

 

[georgina]

I saw a podiatrist for persistent pain on the top of my foot. He did X-rays and thought it was tendinitis. Gave me a short-term prescription for meloxicam for swelling/pain, told me to try wearing a lace-up ankle brace, which actually worked to get rid of it. An elastic ankle brace also seems to work if it occasionally flares up.

 

[AaronB]

I would say podiatrist. They specifically focus on foot/ankle issues. An ortho does work on feet, but they normally deal with a range of muskoskelatal stuff like hips, shoulders, back, etc.

When I had a foot injury a few years ago (ended up being a small fracture), I went to a podiatrist. I figure if their focus is all foot/ankle they may have the deeper knowledge, compared to an ortho who also has to know/deal with a lot of other skeletal parts.

 

[HopperFan]

I vote Podiatrist. Based on experience with both, they would be the EXPERT on feet.

 

[luvmyfam444]

I would say podiatrist. They specifically focus on foot/ankle issues. An ortho does work on feet, but they normally deal with a range of muskoskelatal stuff like hips, shoulders, back, etc.

When I had a foot injury a few years ago (ended up being a small fracture), I went to a podiatrist. I figure if their focus is all foot/ankle they may have the deeper knowledge, compared to an ortho who also has to know/deal with a lot of other skeletal parts.

thanks - that's was my exact thoughts - ortho knows 206 bones the podiatrist only knows 20 something

 

[flyingdumbo127]

As someone recovering from long term feet issues, please take care of your feet and legs, friends. Mobility is such a blessing that I pray to be able to normally have again one day. From my experience looking back, I wish I had had an Xray taken initially. Smart place to start. Also think about flooring in your home and be sure you have comfortable and supportive footwear. Epsom salt warm soaks have helped me some. Truly healthy feet prayers to all.

 

[Meriweather]

I also go with Podiatrist,

When I had foot pain I went to my PC and she made a guess and said go to a podiatrist.
Went and they did x-rays and some other scans. And told me what to do and it got better and hasn't returned in over a year.

 

[lanejudy]

At our local medical system, the podiatrist is within the orthopedics practice.

 

[kanerf]

Podiatrist. I see mine once a quarter. I am a diabetic and that is recommended. He trims my toenails for me as well as looking at general foot health.

 

[tazdev3225]

I vote podiatrist also.

I tore up my ankle and saw an orthopedist, not my usual one as I needed to be seen ASAP based on the ER diagnosis and my ortho had nothing available since they said no fractures at the ER. Didn't like the ortho so finally went to my normal one. He agreed with the MRI and X-Rays but said I needed someone who specialized in feet and ankles. So even the ortho preferred a podiatrist for my injury.

My husband is diabetic and gets ulcers on his feet. He has been seeing our podiatrist for at least 10 years. When I reinjured my ankle I went to the podiatrist. Foot pain that turned out to be bone spurs and tendonitis and I went to the podiatrist. I love the guy. After trying shoe brand after shoe brand and being in pain again within a month or two he recommended the only shoe I wear now. The pain cleared up and no problems at all since I followed his advice.

Like others have said they specialize in all aspects of the feet and ankles.

 

[Cadiewampus]

I've had pain on the top of my foot off and on for a couple of years...,just attributed to the kind of shoe I was wearing - if I put on laced tennis shoes the pain went away until I wore Birks or flip flops or cheap slip on flats.
I finally went to urgent care because something panful was on the side of my foot - wasn't sure what it was - that dr felt like it is a cyst...also said Xray seemed to look like I had a fracture at one point . He put me in a boot. I have no pain wearing the boot but barefoot I do. He told me to go to a podiatrist.

My question is who should I see? my mom says an ortho . Friends say podiatrist.
if you've used one of the other why did you choose the one you did?

who cares what your mom or friends or us for that matter say? The urgent care "Dr" said podiatrist.

 

[TCRAIG]

I’ve been to both over the years - I 1000% recommend going to the podiatrist!

 

[Christine]

Only see an orthopedic doctor if his/her specialty is foot and ankle. You don’t really want to be seeing the shoulder guy for a foot issue. Most large orthopedic practices have their doctors broken down into sub specialties. Otherwise a well rated podiatrist is a good start.

 

[china mom]

I have a regular podiatrist, a "foot and ankle" orthopedic surgeon and a surgical podiatrist who specializes in my specific condition.

Frankly, I would probably start with the foot and ankle ortho surgeon for what you are describing.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Definitely a podiatrist. Sounds like you possibly have a Neuroma, which is a pinched nerve in the foot. I have one and when it flares up, I get pain on the top of my foot. For me, a steroid shot usually gets it under control.

 

[rwdavis2]

At our local medical system, the podiatrist is within the orthopedics practice.

This is what I would do.

 

[Giraffe_Zen]

I've been to both and I'd suggest Podiatrist. Good luck!

 

[lanejudy]

I hope the OP has been to some doctor in the 7+ months and hopefully the pain has been resolved.

 

[White Cat]

I hope the OP has been to some doctor in the 7+ months and hopefully the pain has been resolved.

That’s right. But I would have gone with the doctors suggestion. It’s amazing to me how many people these days question the advice of their doctors and want to self prescribe. Started to notice this starting maybe 10 or 20 years ago.

 

[lanejudy]

That’s right. But I would have gone with the doctors suggestion. It’s amazing to me how many people these days question the advice of their doctors and want to self prescribe. Started to notice this starting maybe 10 or 20 years ago.

That about fits with the push for patients to take more control over healthcare expenses. Insurance companies encourage shopping around and second-guessing recommendations.