The foot and ankle examination

Dean N Papaliodis; Maria A Vanushkina; Nicholas G Richardson; John A DiPreta

doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2013.10.001

The foot and ankle examination

Med Clin North Am. 2014 Mar;98(2):181-204. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2013.10.001. Epub 2013 Dec 18.

Authors

Dean N Papaliodis¹, Maria A Vanushkina², Nicholas G Richardson², John A DiPreta³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany Medical College, MC184, 1367 Washington Avenue, Suite 202, Albany, NY 12206, USA. Electronic address: papalid@mail.amc.edu.
² Albany Medical College, MC184, 1367 Washington Avenue, Suite 202, Albany, NY 12206, USA.
³ Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany Medical College, MC184, 1367 Washington Avenue, Suite 202, Albany, NY 12206, USA.

PMID: 24559868
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2013.10.001

Abstract

Most foot and ankle disorders can be diagnosed after a proper history and clinical examination and can be effectively managed in a primary care setting. It is important to assess the entirety of patient disorders that present as they can be multifactorial in cause. A broad differential should include disorders of bones, joints, muscles, neurovasculature, and surrounding soft tissue structures. Physical examination should be thorough and focused on inspection, palpation, range of motion, and appropriate special tests when applicable. This article highlights some of the salient features of the foot and ankle examination and diagnostic considerations.

Keywords: Foot/Ankle physical examination; Ottawa ankle rules; Special tests; Structural abnormalities.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Ankle Joint* / pathology
Ankle Joint* / physiopathology
Biomechanical Phenomena
Diagnosis, Differential
Foot Diseases* / diagnosis
Foot Diseases* / etiology
Foot Diseases* / physiopathology
Foot* / pathology
Foot* / physiopathology
Humans
Physical Examination / methods
Primary Health Care / methods
Range of Motion, Articular
Symptom Assessment / methods