inspection
Last reviewed 01/2018
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