Most people don’t realize just how important their feet or ankles are until they have an issue with them. This could be anything from sprains to breaks – which can incapacitate you for a long time. Once you run into such problems, your best move is to find the right podiatrist to take care of you and your feet. But how do you make the choice? If you're like most people, you might have not even heard of podiatry. Simply put, this is the practice that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of people with foot and ankle disorders. This includes the bones, nerves, joints, tendons, ligament, and skin.  Sometimes, finding a podiatrist isn’t just good for your feet, but also for your general happiness and well-being. Your feet are an incredibly important part of your body since you use them all the time. So, if you have any recurring pain in that area, it can affect your mood, attitude, and general outlook on life. Here are five tips that can help you find a reputable foot and ankle specialist in your area:

1. Consult your Doctor

If you have to see a podiatrist, you’ll have to get a referral from your family doctor or general practitioner. Because they are specialists, this may be the only way to get a podiatrist to see you. Your insurance agency may also require that you do things this way. So it makes sense to consult your doctor before starting your search. This is actually a great way to get the best information. Your doctor will be able to give you advice on who you should trust with your feet and ankles. And better yet? Your doctor will be able to direct you to some excellent podiatrists.

2. Find the Right Kind of Podiatrist

There are a number of different specializations within the field of podiatry. For instance, there is sports podiatry which focuses on sports-related injuries. There is also biomechanical podiatry which specializes in getting the feet to move how they should. But there are also the more general podiatrists that can help you deal with normal, day-to-day pains and aches. And, if you have a more serious condition, you could start looking for surgical podiatrists. Their main focus is on fixing foot and ankle problems using surgical means. It is important to choose a podiatrist based on who will be the best fit to solve the issue that you’re having. For example, a sports-based specialist won’t be much help in dealing with a foot issue that is related to diabetes.

3. Search Online

Even with your doctor’s recommendation, it might be a good idea to do some research yourself. The main advantage of this is that it allows you to ensure that ay doctor you choose will be covered by your insurance. 

4. Check out their Qualifications

Whenever you are trusting someone new with your health, it’s important to make sure that they are qualified enough to know what they are doing. Take time to ensure that your new podiatrist is properly licensed and certified by the relevant board. To this end, keep in mind that different specialties might require your podiatrist to be certified by an additional board. For instance, surgical podiatrists must be certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. 

5. Visit their Office First

Before making a final choice, take time to visit your potential podiatrist in their office. This is a very important step. First, it will show you if the specialist is reliable and trustworthy. A trusted podiatrist will be ready to have a sit-down meeting with you before turning to diagnosis and treatment.It will also help you know if you are comfortable with the new doctor. Sure, the podiatrist’s qualification matter. But a big part of long-term care is the relationship you have with your doctor. This is one of the best ways to ensure that you receive the best care available.