Preparing For Your Next Appointment

A doctor visit can be nerve-wracking, especially if this is your first time at a podiatrist’s office. But with some simple preparation, you can limit the anxiety you feel prior to your appointment and make the most out of seeing your specialist. At Kentlands Foot and Ankle Center, we take extra care in making sure your visit is as comfortable and helpful as possible! Below is a useful guide to help you prepare for your next appointment.

Before Your Visit

It might be helpful to make a physical or mental checklist of some important information to make your podiatrist’s questions easier to answer, such as:

• The symptoms you’re experiencing
• Any medication you’re taking
• Relevant lab test results
• Allergies they should know about
• Previous surgeries
• Any questions or concerns you have for your doctor

During Your Visit

• Expect your podiatrist to go over all the information listed above
• Be sure to ask for any clarification if you’re unclear with what your doctor is saying
• Take notes if you find it helpful
• If you’re attending a virtual appointment, be sure you arrive to your appointment on time and check that your technology is working properly

After Your Visit

• Make sure you follow your podiatrists’ recommendations for healing and recovery
• Pick up any medication your doctor may prescribe and take them as instructed
• Schedule a follow up appointment if necessary
• If your doctor has not gotten back to you with test results, give them a call
• Reach out to your podiatrist if you have any follow up concerns or questions

Schedule A Visit

It is recommended that you visit your local podiatrist once a year for an annual checkup. If you’ve been experiencing any foot or ankle pain, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist so they can examine and treat any problem you might be facing. To schedule an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Jon M. Sherman, at our Montgomery County office, call (301)-825-9697 or visit our website for more information.

Put Your Best Foot Forward

April is National Foot Health Awareness Month and it is also the perfect time to think about how much we count on our feet each day, and how important it is to develop healthy habits to keep them free of pain. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population has at least one-foot problem annually. At Kentlands Foot and Ankle Center, our podiatrist, Dr. Jon M. Sherman, is Board Certified in Foot Surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. Dr. Sherman is also a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, all of which set him apart from other podiatrists.

Fun Facts About Feet

• Each foot is composed of 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles and tendons.
• Together both feet contain 1/4 of the bones in the entire body.
• The average person, over their lifetime, will walk approximately the same distance as if they had walked around the earth 4 times.
• 5 times a person’s body weight is transmitted through each foot with every step!

How To Maintain Healthy Feet

Do:

1. Try foot massages or reflexology.
2. Soak your feet in Epsom salt if they are sore.
3. Change your socks daily.

Don’t:

1. Share footwear
2. Wear poor-fitting shoes
3. Try “DIY” fixes for your foot problems

When To Visit a Podiatrist

The field of podiatry strives to improve the overall health and well-being of patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with the foot and ankle. It is time to see a podiatrist anytime you have foot or ankle discomfort, changes in the appearance of your feet, abnormal growth, an injury, or a medical condition that affects your feet. It is also very important to have an annual check-up with your podiatrist to maintain healthy feet.

To schedule an appointment at our Gaithersburg, MD office, please call (301) 330-5666 or visit our website for more information.