Diagnostic Tests for Foot pain

Diagnostic Test list for Foot pain:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Foot pain includes:

• Physical examination
  • Inspect the gait including limping and abnormal toe in or out
  • Inspect for any deformities - e.g. hammer toes, bunions, claw toes.
  • Look for any skin changes - e.g. signs of peripheral vascular disease such as cold skin, lack of hair, non- healing ulcers; focal redness may suggest cellulitis, osteomyelitis, other types of infections or erythermalgia ; plantar warts.
  • Feel the foot for tenderness
  • Move joints of foot to detect any reduced range of movement which suggests various types of arthritis, fracture, torn ligaments or inflammation of bursa or tendons
  • Feel peripheral pulses. If pulses were reduced or absent may suggest peripheral atherosclerosis
  • Neurological examination of foot including power, reflexes and sensation
• Blood tests
  • Full blood count ( anemia can cause pain due to poor vascular supply) and ESR (as marker of inflammation)
  • Blood glucose
  • Biochemistry including calcium level (hypocalcaemia may cause painful muscle spasms of the feet)
  • Rheumatoid factor, ENA, ANA autoantibodies
  • Uric acid (marker of gout)
  • Parathyroid hormone (hypothyroidism may cause painful muscle spasms of the feet)
• Radiological investigations
  • Plain X-Ray of foot and ankle
  • CT Scan of foot and ankle
  • Bone scan will help diagnose obscure fractures and osteomyelitis
  • Ultrasound scan ( useful at detecting Morton's neuroma)
  • Femoral angiography if suspect peripheral vascular disease
• Synovial joint fluid aspiration - for microscopy and culture.
• Nerve conduction velocity study - to establish the presence of a neuropathy.
• Electromyelogram (EMG) - to establish the presence of a neuropathy.

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Foot pain causes:

• Nerve Neuropathy: Related Home Testing:
  • Home Diabetes Test Kits
  • Home Blood Glucose Testing Kits

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