A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps:
- General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; furthermore:
- Inspection (viewing) of the foot and lower extremities, pelvis, and back while standing and walking [ingrown toenail?, leg length discrepancy?, deformities?, foot deformities?, warts?, swelling?, scoliosis?, color changes?]
- Palpation (palpation) of the foot [skin thickening?, bony prominences?, local tenderness and heat?, evidence of fatigue fracture (pressure on the long axis of the foot → pain in a metatarsal bone)?, peripheral pulse?]
- Orthopedic examination incl. functional examinations [restricted mobility?]
- Neurological examination – if neuropathy (nerve damage) is suspected.
Square brackets [ ] indicate possible pathological (pathological) physical findings.
