When your feet and ankles start to hurt, it can get in the way of your daily routine. Fortunately, there are many doctors out there that can treat foot and ankle pain – the best of which is an orthopedic doctor. The question is: which one is the right one for you?
In this blog, we cover the steps to find the right orthopedic doctor for you.
Make Your List of Doctors
The first thing you should do when trying to find the right orthopedic doctors is to make a list of doctors to consider.
Start out by checking your insurance coverage. Many insurance providers have a network of covered healthcare providers and don’t just cover all doctors. Asking your insurance about this will help you build a list of doctors who can treat you and bill your insurance, instead of you having to pay for appointments and services yourself. Some insurance plans require you to ask a primary care doctor within the network for a referral to a specialist such as an orthopedic doctor. By looking into these details, you will save yourself much time and effort in your search for an orthopedic doctor. You can call your insurance company or check their website to learn about your insurance coverage.
If your insurance plan does not restrict you to in-network orthopedic doctors, or if you are going to pay out-of-pocket for your medical bills, you can simply go online to search for orthopedic doctors in your area. Look for the doctors in your area by Googling searches like “top orthopedic doctor in Plantation, Florida.”
Check for Board-Certification
Now that you have a list of possible doctors, you should take the time to learn more about each one. Researching will help you determine which ones are best for you.
The first thing to check is whether the doctors are board-certified. Being board-certified is a sign of quality education, training, and experience. To ensure the doctors you’re interested in are board-certified, you can look through their websites. You can also check the American Board of Medical Specialties’ online database.
Check Patient Reviews
Check out each doctor’s website, Google reviews, and other places that offer patient testimonials and reviews. Read up on all the doctors on your list and cross off any that have repeated negative patient reviews or if you feel they don’t match your communication style or treatment approach.
Schedule A Consultation
After you’ve researched and made your list shorter, it is time to meet the doctors and see if they are a good fit for you. Schedule a consultation with each doctor.
During your consultations, don’t hesitate to ask questions that come to mind regarding your condition, diagnosis methods, appointment flexibility, and more. You can also ask the doctor if they have experience treating conditions like yours and how they approach treatment. Make sure to ask about their experience treating foot and ankle issues. Remember, not all orthopedic doctors have the same level of experience in every area of the body. You want a doctor who can expertly treat your specific issues.
After each consultation, ask yourself the following questions:
- Did the doctor and their staff make me feel comfortable?
- Was the office clean, welcoming, and updated?
- Was I able to ask questions comfortably and get appropriate answers?
- Did they answer my questions in a way that I could understand?
- Were they comprehensive when explaining my treatment options?
Ideally, after you’re done with your consultations, you will know which doctor is best based on your experience with them.
Orthopedic Doctor For Foot Pain In Plantation, FL
Finding the right doctor to help with your foot and ankle pain is an endeavor that requires some time and effort. However, having the right doctor for you means getting the best treatment that will make you feel better.
If you are suffering from pain in your feet and ankles, our Baylis and Brown Orthopedics team is here for you. Dr. Robert Baylis and Dr. Christopher Brown are both board-certified and dedicated to giving you the kind of care you deserve.
If you’d like to know more about our services, call our clinic at (954) 476-8800. You can also fill out our online request form to book a consultation. We look forward to serving you!
