A new consumer awareness campaign by American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society asks individuals to “look for the O” if they are experiencing pain in their foot and ankle.
The “O” in this case stands for Orthopedic Surgeon, and they are experts in all things foot and ankle. If you suffer an acute injury or just begin to notice that something feels different in your foot or ankle, look up an orthopedic expert in your area.
“Consumers don’t generally give much thought to their foot health – that is, until something goes wrong,” stated Jeffrey E. Johnson, MD, president of the AOFAS Board of Directors. “But 75% of all people experience foot pain at some point in their lives. That’s why AOFAS leadership felt it was imperative to educate consumers, so that they know how to find the best medical care before a problem arises.”
Look For The “O”
The “Look For The O” campaign stresses the importance of heading to a professional who specializes in foot and ankle conditions when you have concerns over foot or ankle pain. These professionals have distinct knowledge of common and uncommon foot disorders, and they can better diagnose and treat the condition than a primary care doctor.
The “Look for the O” campaign is grounded in five core messages, which are:
- That foot and ankle surgeons are fully trained medical doctors who can balance foot and ankle concerns with the patient’s whole body health.
- That foot and ankle surgeons complete extensive as well as ongoing medical training, which increases their expertise and effectiveness.
- That foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons don’t just operate, but provide both surgical and non-surgical treatments for everything related to foot and ankle health.
- That foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons are particularly competent at treating complicated cases.
- That consumers should seek a second opinion from a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon, particularly when foot or ankle surgery is advised.
