Foot Examination: What to Expect During Your Check-Up
Foot Examination: What to Expect During Your Check-Up
What's This About?
A foot examination is a vital part of diagnosing foot pain, but what does it involve? Here's a step-by-step guide.
Contents
- Visual and Physical Inspection
- Dynamic Assessment
- Key Areas of Focus
Visual and Physical Inspection
The examination begins with a visual inspection of the foot. The doctor looks for abnormalities like swelling or color changes. Next, they will palpate the foot to identify tender areas or signs of inflammation, helping to pinpoint the source of pain.
Dynamic Assessment
The doctor will observe your gait, both while walking and possibly running. This helps assess how foot pain affects your movement and identify any unusual patterns that might indicate underlying issues.
Key Areas of Focus
Attention is given to specific areas, such as the first metatarsophalangeal joint in the forefoot, the navicular bone in the midfoot, and the plantar fascia in the hindfoot. Each area is palpated carefully to detect any abnormalities or sources of pain.
FAQs
What happens during a foot exam?
Doctors visually inspect and palpate the foot for abnormalities.
Why is gait observation important?
It helps assess how foot pain affects movement.
Which areas are focused on during a foot exam?
The forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot are key focus areas.
Know What to Expect
Understanding the foot examination process can help you prepare and ease any concerns.
Additional References
- Clawson DK, Jackson DW, Ostergaard DJ. It's past time to reform the musculoskeletal curriculum. Acad Med 2001; 76:709.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.