This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Palpation

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

When examining the foot, palpation is first carried out when the patient is sitting. Feel for:

  • tenderness
    • diffuse or localised
    • heel tenderness: Sever's disease, calcaneal exostosis, plantar fasciitis, pes cavus
    • forefoot tenderness: metarsalgia, pes cavus and planus, gout, RA, Freiberg's disease, March fracture
    • big toe tenderness: gout
  • temperature:
    • compare the temperature gradient between legs
    • determine if there is a temperature gradient along the leg
  • crepitus of joints
  • swelling
  • oedema
  • lumps
  • sensation: especially if the patient reports changes
  • pulses:
    • dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial
    • popliteal and femoral

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

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.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.