A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps:
- General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further:
- Examination of the affected joints, including side-by-side comparison with examination of the extent of movement [pain; restriction of movement (occurrence painful to impossible); swelling (edema), formation of a hematoma (bruise)].
- Inspection (viewing) of the skin and mucous membranes.
- Auscultation (listening) of the heart
- Auscultation of the lungs
- Orthopedic examination[due todifferential diagnoses:
- Fracture (fracture) of the upper ankle/foot, unspecified.
- Cartilage/bone injuries, unspecified.
- Luxation (dislocation), unspecified
- Sprain (twisting; distortion), unspecified
- Strain, unspecified]
[due topossible sequelae: recurrent dislocations (recurrent dislocations)]
Square brackets [ ] indicate possible pathological (pathological) physical findings.