Preparing for an appointment

While you may initially consult your family physician, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in orthopedic surgery.

What you can do

You may want to write a list that includes:

• Detailed descriptions of your symptoms
• A short explanation of how the injury occurred
• Information about other medical problems you've had
• All the medications and dietary supplements you take
• Questions you want to ask the doctor

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask some of the following questions:

• How did this injury occur?
• Were you barefoot at the time?
• Exactly where does it hurt?
• Is more than one toe involved?
• Do any particular foot motions make your injury feel better or worse?