Evaluate the patient’s foot pain. Is there any:
- History of trauma?
- Chronic or acute pain?
- Obvious swelling or deformity?
- Appropriate range of motion?
- Point tenderness?
- Neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease?
Urgent Referrals–refer to our office:
- Displaced or rotated foot fractures
- Lacerations with tendon, nerve or bony injury
- Diabetic wounds
- Sub-acute infections such as paronychia, ulcerations
- Stable fractures and dislocations
Emergent Referrals–refer to the emergency room:
- Compartment syndrome
- Necrotizing fasciitis
- Infection with sepsis
- Open fractures
- Injuries with neurovascular compromise
- Joint infections
Severe Foot Injuries–refer to the emergency room:
- Purulent wounds
- Exposed bone, tendon, nerve
- Gross deformity
- Fever, systemic signs
- Acutely swollen joints