What to Bring to Your Appointment

First-time patients need to arrive early for their first appointment so that they may fill out our patient registration form. Also, we request patients bring the following items to the appointment:

1- Insurance card(s) and information
2- Referral forms (if necessary)
3- List of all current medications
4- Medical and surgical history information
5- Required co-payment

Podiatry is a Medical Specialty

Podiatrists are doctors that specialize in the disorders of the foot and ankle, and their medical and surgical treatment as it relates to those disorders. There are a large number of conditions that affect the feet and ankles, including, but not limited to:

• Simple nail problems (Ingrown toenails)
• Arthritis
• Bunions, Hammertoes and other deformities
• Skin rashes and infections
• Nerve disorders
• Circulation problems

Oftentimes, podiatrists are the first physicians to diagnose and treat your feet and ankle problems. While your Primary Care or Emergency Room Physician may refer you to Dr. Caldwell for your foot problems, Dr. Caldwell may choose to send you to another type of medical specialist after a careful examination of your foot complaints.

Most podiatrists, perform a full history and lower extremity physical examination because the first symptoms of many health problems may begin in the foot. An example if this would be Diabetes. High blood pressure (HBP), spinal disorders, and many potentially serious problems may be first recognized during a thorough foot examination.

Describing the Problem

Dr. Caldwell will inquire about your foot problem in detail. You should expect the following questions:

• When did your first notice the problem?
• How did the problem begin?
• Where is the exact location of the pain or discomfort?
• Can you describe how the pain or discomfort actually feels?
• Does anything make the problem feel better or feel worse?
• Does it change depending on the time of day?

Medical History

Dr. Caldwell will also ask about your medical and your family medical history. Here are a few of the questions you can expect to be asked:

• Are you currently being treated for any problems?
• What prescription and/or over-the-counter medications are presently taking?
• What past surgeries and hospitalizations did you undergo, and did you experience any complications that resulted from them?
• Do you have a history of allergies to medications and/or foods?
• Do you have any illnesses that run in your family that may have a connection to your foot problem?

Dr. Caldwell may then inquire about various parts of your body, such as your head, ears, eyes, nose, throat, lungs, heart, kidneys, skin and nails, and your joints. This is to ensure you did inadvertently leave anything out of your medical history. He will also ask about other important factors that could relate to your foot problems, such as your occupation and particular areas of your social history.

After these questions are answered, Dr. Caldwell may start to see a pattern between your problems and your medical history.

Physical Examination

Dr. Caldwell will examine your skin and nails for signs of discoloration, hydration, wounds, infections, or any growths. He will also ensure your feet are getting adequate circulation and look for swelling or discoloration or swelling in the legs, as this could be a warning sign for a disease of the veins. By checking your reflexes, Dr. Caldwell will be able to determine if there are any problems with the nerves in your legs and feet. He may gently squeeze the joints of your foot to see if you experience any pain or discomfort, as well as moving them to determine if the range of motion is restricted or painful.

Dr. Caldwell may also need an x-ray exam of your foot, or perhaps another type of scan such as an MRI so he can arrive at the most accurate diagnosis to your problem. Vascular tests, such as Doppler ultrasound, are also sometimes needed. He may call for a blood and urine test, and in some cases where certain kinds of skin growths and tumors of the foot are present, biopsies are required. The biopsy can range from a very simple needle aspiration to an open surgical procedure. Podiatry as a Step to Better Health Management

Health Management

Your first visit to Foot Care of Northeast Arkansas can be your first step toward better health management. It is important to open and honest with Dr. Caldwell during your visits. It is through your honesty and his overall dedication that he will be able to arrive at an accurate diagnosis and prescribe an effective treatment to your problem. Also, in some cases, it will allow him to refer you to the appropriate specialist and/or primary care physician to treat your problem.