title: Clinical examination of the foot and ankle.
abstract: The foot and ankle are critical components in our ability to ambulate. Injuries to either can significantly interfere with a patient's ability to carry out normal activities. In severe cases, they can be devastating to a patient's independence. Careful examination of the foot and ankle using established mechanical tests, along with understanding of the anatomy of the complex,is needed to confirm the history and to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle injuries. The following points are key to clinical examination of the foot and ankle: . The examination of the foot and ankle needs to be done with the patient in both weight-bearing and non-weight bearing positions. . The examination of the foot and ankle should include an evaluation of the patient's gait. . Reproduction of a patient's symptoms is the key to making a correct diagnosis. . Although anatomic variants may predispose some individuals to injury,in general, if asymptomatic, no treatment should be done.
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. cyoung@mcw.edu
authors.forename: Craig C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Niedfeldt
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Eerkes
mesh_terms: D000842:Ankle / Q000503:physiopathology; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012775:Shoes