2. Diagnosis of Disorders of the Foot

The predominant symptom causing the patient to consult a specialist is pain arising from disorders of loading of the foot during standing or walking. Congenital and acquired deformities are aggravated by fatigue, age, subsequent injury of the weightbearing tissues, trauma, shoe pressure or even the complications of unsuccessful attempts at treatment. The symptom may relate directly to some obvious area of abnormality involving the integument, the skeleton, a joint or a vascular or neurological condition. Alternatively, the symptom can be diffuse without relation to any particular sign. A disciplined approach to diagnosis is essential.