A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps:
- General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further:
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Inspection (viewing).
- Gait pattern (fluid, limping)
- Body or joint posture (upright, bent, relieving posture).
- Malpositions (deformities, contractures, shortenings).
- Muscle atrophies (side comparison!, if necessary circumference measurements).
- Joint(abrasions/wounds, swelling (tumor), redness (rubor), hyperthermia (calor); injury indications such as hematoma formation, arthritic joint lumpiness, leg axis assessment).
-
Inspection (viewing).
- Orthopedic examination – including assessment of spontaneous foot posture, leg lengths, foot lengths, knee-foot axis, range of motion, passive redressability, circulation, motor function, sensitivity.
- Neurological examination – testing of reflexes, strength testing.