What to Expect During A Foot Assessment
Posted on: 11 January 2019
If you have been having any foot symptoms that may include pain or ulceration, it is crucial that you visit your doctor for examination. If you have diabetes or your family has a history of diabetes, you are at high risk of foot conditions, and it is best to visit your podiatrist for regular examinations. The following includes what you may go through during foot assessment.
You May Be Asked Questions
Your doctor may ask if you have been experiencing any pain or discomfort in your feet, and if you have, invite you to describe it. He or she may also ask if you have had any previous ulcerations or foot treatment procedures performed. You may also not be aware of various medical terms, so your doctor may ask you to describe the sensations you are experiencing. For example, your doctor may not ask you if you are experiencing neuropathic symptoms, he or she may ask if you feel numb, tingly or burning sensations. You need to give an accurate history of your symptoms if any to help the doctor make an informed diagnosis.
Visual Inspection
After questioning, you may be asked to lie down for visual inspection. Your doctor will examine your feet for infection, corns or calluses, nail disorders, ulcerations and skin breaks, among others. He or she may also inspect the condition of your footwear to check on style and fitting.
Foot Pulse
Your doctor may check the rate of blood flow to your feet. This is achieved by checking your foot pulse in two distinct areas. The top of your foot at the dorsalis pedis and the space inside of your ankle, which is the tibialis posterior. Reduced blood flow may require further investigations that will require the use of vascular ultrasound.
Your doctor will also examine the sensitivity of your feet's nerve endings to see if they are damaged or deteriorating. You may undergo a monofilament test, which tests for peripheral neuropathy.
Self-Care
If you are at risk of foot conditions, your doctor may need to know if you are aware of how to perform feet examinations at the comfort of your home. If not, he or she will teach you. You may also be required to learn foot care practices to avoid symptoms. Your doctor may also assess you to find out whether you are capable of caring for your feet. This assessment may include your ability to reach your feet or the presence of any form of disability or factor that may hinder you to care for your feet.
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