Ankle & foot exam

Page 1

Wash hands

Introduce & confirm patient details

Explain exam

Ask about pain

Page 2

Assess gait:

Normal gait cycle?

Antalgia

Smoothness/ Symmetry

Ask to walk on tiptoes

Difficulty implies issues with calf muscles & achilles tendon or pain due to joint problems

Walk on heels

Difficulty implies weakness in ant. compartment od lower leg or pain due to joint problems

Inspect:

From front:

Symmetry

Swelling & erythema

Scars

From side:

Foot arches

Swelling & erythema

Scars

Behind:

Achilles tendon

Symmetry

Scars, swelling and erythema

Page 3

Assess & compare joint temp

Palpate pulses in foot:

Dorsalis pedis pulse = Lateral to extensor hallucis longus over 2nd/3rd cuneiform bones

Posterior tibial = Post to medial malleolus

Palpate achilles tendon

Squeeze MTPJ's - Note any discomfort

Palpate tarsal bones

Palpate calcaneum

Palpate malleoli

Page 4

Active plantarflexion 0-50

Active dorsiflexion 0-20

Active toe flexion

Active toe extension

Ankle inversio n 0-35

Ankle eversion 0-15

Passive dorsiplan

Page 5

Knee and hip examination

Neurovascular exam of lower limbs