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Get StartedPreparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffWhile you may initially consult your family physician, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in foot disorders or sports medicine.
What you can do
You may want to write a list that includes:
- Detailed descriptions of your symptoms
- Information about medical problems you've had
- Information about the medical problems of your parents or siblings
- All the medications and dietary supplements you take
- Questions you want to ask the doctor
What to expect from your doctor
During the physical exam, your doctor will check for points of tenderness in your foot. The location of your pain can help determine if it's caused by other problems.
Your doctor may also check the musculoskeletal and neurological health of your ankle joint and foot by testing your:
- Reflexes
- Muscle strength
- Muscle tone
- Senses of touch and sight
- Coordination
- Balance
- Plantar fasciitis. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cf,?topic=A00149. Accessed Jan. 2, 2009.
- Sheon RP, et al. Plantar fasciitis and other causes of heel and sole pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 2, 2009.
- Pasquina PF, et al. Plantar fasciitis. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/115323583-3/0/1678/89.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50088-2_1412. Accessed Jan. 2, 2009.
- Thomas JL, et al. Clinical practice guideline: The diagnosis and treatment of heel pain. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery. 2001;40:329.
- Running and jogging injuries. American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20Running%20and%20Jogging%2008.pdf. Accessed Jan. 5, 2009.
- Stracciolini A, et al. Sports rehabilitation of the injured athlete. Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine. 2007;8:43.