General considerations in the examination of the foot and ankle in your patient in office practice.

This article contains observations regarding history taking and physical examination of the foot and ankle which previously have not been compiled in this exact manner. The significance of the chief complaint in relation to problem solving is a major feature. The steps in the actual physical examination are related in a practical order. Terminology is reviewed. Documentation is stressed. The panorama of those involved in decisions relating to solving foot problems is placed in perspective. The general considerations reflect long-standing involvement in minuscule attention required to accurately arrive at a diagnosis. There may be more than one solution for a problem but only one accurate diagnosis.