title: The foot and ankle examination.
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.
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Dean N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Papaliodis
authors.affiliation: Albany Medical College, MC184, 1367 Washington Avenue, Suite 202, Albany, NY 12206, USA.
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Vanushkina
authors.affiliation: Albany Medical College, MC184, 1367 Washington Avenue, Suite 202, Albany, NY 12206, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany Medical College, MC184, 1367 Washington Avenue, Suite 202, Albany, NY 12206, USA.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: DiPreta
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005528:Foot / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D063189:Symptom Assessment / Q000379:methods
keywords: Foot/Ankle physical examination; Ottawa ankle rules; Special tests; Structural abnormalities