Examination of the Foot and Ankle

Abstract

This is done from the moment a patient enters the examining room. A deformed foot may be seen in a deformed shoe when the patient walks into the examining room. Certain examples are as follows: The shoes of a patient with drop foot show scuffed toes due to scrapping the floor in the swing phase. Similarly a patient with a toe-in shows excessive wear over the lateral border of the sole. Inspection is started in the normal manner with the counting of the toes, as in some cases an extra toe may be seen (supernumerary toe or digit). A disproportionately large great toe may be seen which is swollen or as a congenital anomaly.