Contents
Foot Examination: What to Expect During Your Check-Up
Published: Feb 09, 2024
A foot examination is a vital part of diagnosing foot pain, but what does it involve? Here's a step-by-step guide.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Doctors visually inspect and palpate the foot for abnormalities.
It helps assess how foot pain affects movement.
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.
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. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
AI Doctor Visit Required
Appointments available 24/7
Top licensed doctors
Available in all 50 states
Full service care
Prescriptions, referrals & treatment
No insurance needed
All notes available in Doctronic
15-min consultation. No hidden costs.
AI Doctor Visit Required
Please Chat With Our AI Doctor First
Our AI doctor assessment helps our human doctors prepare for your video visit and provide better care
For safety reasons we have been forced to end this consultation.
If you believe this is a medical emergency please call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
If you are experiencing emotional distress, please call the the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or your local crisis services immediately.
Contact us
You can also email us at help@doctronic.ai
We aim to reply within 5-7 days
How likely are you to recommend Doctronic to friends or family?