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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou'll probably first see your family doctor or general practitioner. However, he or she may refer you to a bone specialist (orthopedist) or a foot specialist (podiatrist).
Because appointments can be brief, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
For metarsalgia, some basic questions you might want to ask your doctor include:
- What's causing my symptoms?
- Do I need any tests?
- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What treatment do you recommend?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- How long will it be before I start feeling better?
- Are there any activity restrictions that I need to follow?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, as well. Some questions your doctor may ask include:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous, or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
What you can do in the meantime
While you're waiting to see your doctor, rest your foot as much as possible and wear properly fitting shoes. If your pain is severe, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or aspirin may help ease your discomfort.
- Maguire S. Metatarsalgia. In: Frontera WL, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/108516156-8/764507225/1678/87.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50086-9_1382. Accessed Oct. 27, 2008.
- Metatarsalgia. The American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine. http://www.acfaom.org/metatarsalgia.shtml. Accessed Nov. 4, 2008.
- Bunions. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00155. Accessed Nov. 4, 2008.
- Morton's neuroma. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00158. Accessed Nov. 4, 2008.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Metatarsalgia. Rochester, Minn. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2002.
