SCHEDULING YOUR APPOINTMENT
We realize that your time is valuable and we will make every effort to see you at your scheduled time, but we ask for your understanding should unanticipated emergencies arise that delay the doctors from seeing you. We also ask that you provide as much advance notice as possible if you are running late for your appointment or need to reschedule it, so that we may accommodate other patients who are waiting for appointments. Call us at (201) 599-5911.
NEW PATIENT FORMS
For the convenience of our new patients, we are providing our Patient Registration and Patient Medical History forms on this website. Please DOWNLOAD, PRINT AND FILL OUT these two forms AND BRING THEM TO YOUR APPOINTMENT; otherwise, please plan on arriving 15 minutes before your first visit to us so you can fill out the required forms.
PATIENT REGISTRATION/MEDICAL HISTORY FORM (PDF)
BASIC RULES FOR PATIENTS
WHAT (ELSE) TO BRING TO WITH YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT
- Insurance Card(s)
- Referral Forms (as required by your insurance provider)
- List of all medications that you are currently taking
- The co-payment specified by your insurance policy
WHAT TO EXPECT
A Podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the medical, surgical and non-invasive treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle. Your primary physician may refer you to Dr. Haber for foot complaints that may be related to other conditions you may have, including, but not limited to:
- Nail problems
- Deformities such as bunions and hammertoes
- Shin splints and sports-related injuries
- Nerve disorders
- Arthritic joints
- Circulation problems
The podiatric physician may be the first doctor to diagnose and treat these problems, and may send you to another type of medical specialist depending on the findings of the foot examination.
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION & HISTORY
A thorough account of your foot problem’s history will help Dr. Haber to determine the proper treatment. This information should answer the following questions:
How would you describe the problem?
What is the exact location of the pain/discomfort associated with the problem?
What kind of pain is it?
Is the pain constant? Does anything make it better or worse?
When did it begin?
Did it develop suddenly or gradually?
Feel free to discuss your concerns with the doctor as he is dedicated to accurately diagnosing your problem and resolving it quickly and comfortably.
RELEVANT MEDICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
Your medical history can provide important insights about your current foot condition, so you should expect Dr. Haber to ask:
Are you currently under a doctor’s care for any other problems?
Are you currently taking any prescription and/or over-the-counter medications?
Have you had surgeries in the past and were there any complications?
Have you been hospitalized for any previous conditions?
Do you have any allergies to medications and/or foods?
Do any illnesses that may have a connection to your foot problem (e.g. diabetes) run in your family?
THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Regardless of how seemingly minor your foot complaint may be, most podiatrists will conduct a full examination of your lower extremity to determine whether your problem is limited to your foot or is an indication of a larger condition or health problem. Many health problems requiring medical attention may first present by causing symptoms in the foot, such as diabetes and spinal disorders.
Dr. Haber will check your skin and nails for signs of discoloration, infection, wounds or growths, and will check your pulse on top of your feet as well as the inside of your ankle to determine whether the arteries are providing adequate circulation. He also will examine the nerves of your legs and feet by checking your reflexes and observing how well you feel certain types of sensation he will apply to areas around your feet. The doctor also may gently squeeze the joints of your foot to see if they are painful, and may rotate the foot to see if the motion is restricted or in any way painful.
In some situations, Dr. Haber may do an X-ray of your foot right in his office, or may order other types of scans to be performed elsewhere, such as an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or vascular tests, as well as blood and urine tests. For certain types of skin growths or tumors that may present on the foot, he may order a biopsy.
He also will not hesitate to confer with your primary care physician and/or appropriate specialists to enhance the management of your foot problem.
Once the physical exam is complete and the results of any supportive tests are evaluated, Dr. Haber will discuss treatment options and his recommendations with you, and will answer any questions you may have. Treatment may begin immediately or at a later date.
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