Is a podiatrist a good place to start?

In My Humble Opinion
1

You, my friend, are absolutely not my doctor. I have in fact seen my doctor and he prescribed cold packs and patience, and if that doesn’t work, to send me to a specialist (but he didn’t say which kind). Symptoms below**

I’m 62 and up until the past few months my legs and feed have been pretty much pain free, except for the fact that I have flat feet, so I need good arch support and standing for long periods does not feel good.

A couple of years ago I got custom orthotics, but I got them from the chiropractor I was seeing for my back (stiff upper back, which she fixed right up, then she went looking for other things to fix). She took impressions and sent away for the orthotics and they seemed to help some (but not as much as I had hoped). Since then I wonder if they wear out, because they seem less effective.

I bought a pair of very sensible-seeming Clark’s from their Un Structured line. Again, they seemed better at first but now not so much.

**My left knee is very sensitive to the position of my leg, and it hurts a lot of the time. If I press on the right side (inside, since it is the left knee) at the widest part of the knee, that is sensitive and it hurts. It also hurts when walking much of the time.

Also, I have mildly turned my right ankle a couple of times and it doesn’t seem to want to heal from the second time. Sometimes it aches and sometimes it’s fine. But it does hurt much of the time when I am walking. I can move it in any direction without causing pain, but when it aches it comes from the very inside of the joint.

So, podiatrist or some other specialist? I don’t want to waste time going to my PCP just to find out what kind of specialist he thinks is best (although, written down, that sounds a little dumb).

Opinions? Be kind…
Roddy

2

Opinion the first: Any chance you can call your PCP and ask for an opinion as to whether a podiatrist is a good place to start? And perhaps a recommendation?

Opinion the second: If calling the PCP doesn’t work out, making an appointment to discuss such things doesn’t strike me as stupid and a waste of time, unless they can’t see you for four months.

Opinion the third: on second thought, I don’t know enough about podiatry to answer the question. I think I’ll stick to encouraging you to attempt more communication with your PCP before going elsewhere on your own.

3

In my experience, podiatrists are amazing in their knowledge and treatments. Since at least some (probably most if not all) of your concerns relate to your feet, I’d say that’s a fine place to start.

4

I don’t know about a podiatrist, but the knee pain you’re describing sounds to me like an issue with your medial collateral ligament. (IANAD, but I’ve had my share of knee issues.) Maybe and orthopedic surgeon?

5

Ohhhh, boy, another orthopedic referral, another MRI, (probably) another PT referral. Not that I don’t loooooove PT (actually, those guys are great, they always help) but come on. Earlier in the year it was frozen shoulder and 3 months of PT at twice a week. Now this.

It’s official. I am Falling Apart. I think I will change my user name to Falling Apart Today, or Notorious F.A.T.

And to think that 15 months ago I was hiking up the grand canyon. Now I can barely hike upstairs.

Off to the PCP I go, then, to get his best opinion on what kind of specialist I should see.

Crap.
Roddy

6

Some prefer chiropodists.