← Full lesson and references Paired practice cardsSt Emlyn’s · MLA

One learner performs. One learner checks the key steps and gives feedback. Then swap roles. This is a practice aid, not an official mark scheme.

Examiner / observer

Ankle and foot examination

Tick the actions you observe. Discuss any step that was not needed for this examination; unchecked boxes are not a score.

Examiner / observer · 1 of 3

Ankle and foot examination

Preparation · History and inspection

Agree supervision and any communication or chaperone support before starting. Use a consenting partner and provide a couch and any equipment needed for the agreed examination. Practise comfortable movements; describe or use a suitable model for uncomfortable or provocative manoeuvres unless an appropriate supervised teaching setup is agreed.

St Emlyn’s · MLA · Practice aid, not an official mark schemeObserver 1 of 3

Examiner / observer · 2 of 3

Ankle and foot examination

Palpation · Forefoot symptoms

Palpation

Compares warmth, swelling and local tenderness.

After trauma, assesses relevant malleoli, navicular, fifth-metatarsal base, midfoot and proximal fibula.

Assesses relevant anterior talofibular, deltoid and syndesmotic findings gently.

Movement

Compares active dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion and eversion; adds passive/resisted movement only when safe.

Supports the heel and assesses toe movements as indicated; stops at pain or suspected injury limits. Key step

Achilles tendon

For Simmonds–Thompson, positions prone with feet free, squeezes the calf and compares plantarflexion.

Recognises that preserved voluntary plantarflexion does not exclude Achilles rupture. Key step

Forefoot symptoms

If assessing Morton’s symptoms, gently compresses the forefoot and relevant plantar web space.

Relates reproduced web-space pain/paraesthesia, with or without a click, to the history.

St Emlyn’s · MLA · Practice aid, not an official mark schemeObserver 2 of 3

Examiner / observer · 3 of 3

Ankle and foot examination

Completion and imaging · Close

Completion and imaging

Records relevant tendon function, perfusion and neurological findings.

Explains why imaging is indicated; does not use Ottawa rules to exclude every tendon or midfoot injury. Key step

Close

Restores comfort and privacy, thanks the patient and discusses the findings with the responsible clinician.

Explains the agreed plan to the patient.

Ask the candidate

How would you present your findings and their significance? Describe affected bones or soft tissues, movement, tendon function and neurovascular findings. Plantar bruising raises concern for Lisfranc injury; Ottawa rules address particular fractures, not all important injuries.

What would you do next, and why? Explain the important uncertainty, a relevant next assessment and when help is needed. State what you could not assess.

Feedback

What went well:

One thing to improve:

Try again focusing on:

St Emlyn’s · MLA · Practice aid, not an official mark schemeObserver 3 of 3

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Return to the examination notes and references

Ankle and foot examination

Your task

Starting information

Ankle and foot examination

Ankle and foot examination

Preparation

History and inspection

Ankle and foot examination

Palpation

Movement

Achilles tendon

Forefoot symptoms

Ankle and foot examination

Completion and imaging

Close

Ask the candidate

Feedback