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Inspection

Authoring team

The first part of the foot examination involves inspection:

  • examine weight-bearing posture:
    • the pattern of weight distribution can be gauged by coating the soles in ink and asking the patient to stand on a sheet of paper
  • examine gait
  • ankles, legs and back must also be examined
  • inspect sole and between toes
  • note:
    • colouration
    • condition of the skin: colour, callus formation, ulceration, infection, trophic changes along legs
    • nails: deformed, ingrowing, elevated, rough texture
    • swelling
    • masses: calcaneal prominence, ganglia, exostoses, fibrous tissue on sole - Dupuytren's contracture
    • bunions, especially over metatarsophalngeal joint

  • deformity:
    • compare both sides
    • specifically look for pes cavus and planus, hammer toes, mallet toes, intoeing, eversion and inversion, genu valgum and varum, splaying - broadening - of the foot

  • inspect the patient's shoe: wear is normally medially at the ball of the foot and posterolateral at the heel

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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