Inspection
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
Create an account to add page annotations
Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page