Sudden Foot Pain and Swelling? Your Next Healthcare Steps in Long Beach, CA
Sudden Foot Pain and Swelling? Your Next Healthcare Steps in Long Beach, CA
Feeling sudden, severe swelling, heat, and pain in your big toe or parts of your foot can be very unsettling, especially when it happens overnight and makes walking difficult. It’s understandable that you’re worried and want answers about what could be causing this and how to get help. You’re not alone — many people experience sudden foot pain and swelling, and it’s important to address it promptly.
This post is here to guide you through your next steps in Long Beach, CA. We’ll explain which types of healthcare providers are best suited to help, what kinds of tests or procedures you might expect during your visit, and an overview of typical costs in your area. Knowing what to expect can help ease your worry and empower you to take action quickly.
Who to See for Your Symptoms in Long Beach, CA
With your symptoms, there are a few types of doctors you might consider starting with. Each can evaluate your foot pain and swelling from different perspectives:
- Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who can diagnose and treat a wide range of health issues, including sudden foot pain and swelling. They are an excellent first stop if you’re unsure what’s wrong.
- Podiatrist: A specialist focused on foot and ankle health. If your symptoms are localized to your foot and toe, a podiatrist offers expert care specific to these areas.
- Rheumatologist: A doctor specializing in diseases affecting joints, muscles, and bones, such as arthritis or gout, which can cause sudden swelling and pain.
- Internal Medicine Doctor: They manage adult health issues and can assess systemic causes that might affect your feet, such as infections or inflammatory conditions.
Each of these providers can help diagnose your condition and recommend treatment or further tests.
What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs
Here’s a breakdown of the common procedures you might encounter with each provider type in Long Beach, along with estimated self-pay costs to help you plan.
Visit with a Family Practice Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: A detailed visit where the doctor discusses your symptoms, examines your foot, and decides what tests might be needed.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $212.06 (typically ranges from $159.05 to $265.08)
This estimate is based on 574 providers in the Long Beach area. -
Procedure: X-ray of toe, minimum of 2 views (CPT Code: 73660)
Purpose: An X-ray helps check for fractures, dislocations, or bone issues in your toe.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $40.10 (typically ranges from $30.07 to $50.12)
This estimate is based on 1 provider in the Long Beach area. -
Procedure: Aspiration and/or injection of fluid from large joint (CPT Code: 20610)
Purpose: Removing or injecting fluid can diagnose infections or inflammation in your joints to aid treatment decisions.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $112.67 (typically ranges from $84.50 to $140.84)
This estimate is based on 14 providers in the Long Beach area. -
Procedure: Insertion of needle into vein for collection of blood sample (CPT Code: 36415)
Purpose: Blood tests help assess for infection, inflammation, or other causes of foot pain and swelling.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.00 (typically ranges from $9.00 to $15.00)
This estimate is based on 239 providers in the Long Beach area.
Visit with a Podiatrist
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Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: A focused foot and ankle evaluation with a specialist to diagnose your symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $218.53 (typically ranges from $163.90 to $273.16)
This estimate is based on 62 providers in Long Beach. -
Procedure: X-ray of foot, minimum of 3 views (CPT Code: 73630)
Purpose: Used to identify bone injuries or abnormalities in the foot area causing swelling and pain.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $61.26 (typically ranges from $45.95 to $76.58)
This estimate is based on 67 providers. -
Procedure: Simple or single drainage of skin abscess (CPT Code: 10060)
Purpose: If an infection is causing swelling, this procedure drains pus to relieve pain and aid healing.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $200.72 (typically ranges from $150.54 to $250.90)
This estimate is based on 21 providers. -
Procedure: Aspiration and/or injection of fluid from medium joint (CPT Code: 20605)
Purpose: This helps diagnose and treat joint inflammation or infections.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $78.62 (typically ranges from $58.97 to $98.28)
This estimate is based on 13 providers.
Visit with a Rheumatologist
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Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Specialized consultation to evaluate joint diseases like gout or arthritis that often cause sudden pain and swelling.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $216.29 (typically ranges from $162.22 to $270.36)
This estimate is based on 41 providers. -
Procedure: X-ray of foot, minimum of 3 views (CPT Code: 73630)
Purpose: Detailed imaging to assess joint damage or inflammation in the foot.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $59.09 (typically ranges from $44.32 to $73.86)
This estimate is based on 2 providers. -
Procedure: Aspiration and/or injection of fluid from large joint (CPT Code: 20610)
Purpose: Helps confirm diagnosis and reduce joint inflammation or infection.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $119.84 (typically ranges from $89.88 to $149.80)
This estimate is based on 22 providers. -
Procedure: Complete ultrasound scan of joint (CPT Code: 76881)
Purpose: Non-invasive imaging to check for inflammation, tears, or fluid buildup.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $107.28 (typically ranges from $68.76 to $145.80)
This estimate is based on 3 providers.
Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: A thorough exam to identify systemic health issues that may cause foot pain and swelling.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $209.33 (typically ranges from $157.00 to $261.66)
This estimate is based on 602 providers. -
Procedure: Insertion of needle into vein for collection of blood sample (CPT Code: 36415)
Purpose: Blood work to examine for infection, inflammation, or other causes.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.74 (typically ranges from $9.55 to $15.92)
This estimate is based on 232 providers. -
Procedure: Aspiration and/or injection of fluid from large joint (CPT Code: 20610)
Purpose: Diagnostic and therapeutic fluid removal or injection to reduce swelling and pain in joints.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $117.58 (typically ranges from $88.19 to $146.98)
This estimate is based on 23 providers.
Your Recommended Next Steps
Taking the right steps quickly can help you get relief and a clear diagnosis. Here’s what you should do next:
- Schedule an Appointment: Contact a Family Practice doctor, Podiatrist, Rheumatologist, or Internal Medicine provider in Long Beach to discuss your symptoms and get a timely evaluation.
- Prepare for Your Visit: Write down when your symptoms started, how they have changed, any other symptoms, and questions you want to ask the doctor.
- Discuss Costs: When booking, ask the office about self-pay or insurance costs. The estimates here can help but costs vary by provider.
- Seek Help Early: Prompt professional care can prevent complications and get you on the path to feeling better.
Remember, sudden foot pain and swelling should not be ignored. You are doing the right thing by seeking information and preparing to see a healthcare professional.
Need Help Navigating Your Options?
Finding affordable, trustworthy care can be confusing, especially if you’re uninsured or new to the system. That’s why we built Transparent Health: a tool to help you understand your options and find the right provider for your needs.
Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information and estimated costs based on available data. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health.