Diabetic foot examination – OSCE Guide
geekymedics.com/diabetic-foot-examination-osce-guide
October 10, 2010
Diabetic foot examination frequently appears in OSCEs. You’ll be expected to pick up the
relevant clinical signs using your examination skills. This guide provides a clear step by
step approach to examining diabetic feet, with an included video demonstration. Check out
the diabetic foot examination mark scheme here.
Equipment
Inspection
Palpation
Sensation
Gait
Other tests
Completing the examination
Interactive mark scheme
Mark Scheme (PDF)
Introduction
Wash hands
Introduce yourself
Confirm patient details – name / DOB
Explain the examination
Gain consent
Position patient on an examination couch at 45°
Expose patient’s lower legs and feet
Gather equipment
Monofilament
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https://www.coursehero.com/file/34537411/geekymedicscom-Diabetic-foot-examination-OSCE-Guidepdf/
, Tuning fork (128 Hz)
Tendon hammer
Inspection
Inspect legs and feet thoroughly (make sure to inspect the posterior aspects of the legs and
between the toes)
Colour – pallor / cyanosis /erythema (e.g.ischaemia / cellulitis)
Skin:
Dry / shiny / hair loss – peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
Eczema / haemosiderin staining – venous disease
Ulcers – inspect limbs thoroughly (including posterior aspects and between toes)
Venous ulcers – moderate to no pain – larger /shallow – associated with
venous insufficiency / varicose veins
Arterial ulcers – very painful – deep punched out appearance – associated with
diabetes mellitus / peripheral vascular disease
Swelling:
Oedema – – e.g. venous insufficiency / heart failure
Deep vein thrombosis – tender on palpation
Calluses – may indicate incorrectly fitting shoes
Venous filling – guttering of veins / reduced visibility suggests PVD
Deformity caused by neuropathy (e.g. Charcot arthropathy)
Inspect legs for hair loss / skin changes
Inspect limb colour
This study source was downloaded by 100000829818949 from CourseHero.com on 02-03-2022 17:58:17 GMT -06:00
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https://www.coursehero.com/file/34537411/geekymedicscom-Diabetic-foot-examination-OSCE-Guidepdf/
geekymedics.com/diabetic-foot-examination-osce-guide
October 10, 2010
Diabetic foot examination frequently appears in OSCEs. You’ll be expected to pick up the
relevant clinical signs using your examination skills. This guide provides a clear step by
step approach to examining diabetic feet, with an included video demonstration. Check out
the diabetic foot examination mark scheme here.
Equipment
Inspection
Palpation
Sensation
Gait
Other tests
Completing the examination
Interactive mark scheme
Mark Scheme (PDF)
Introduction
Wash hands
Introduce yourself
Confirm patient details – name / DOB
Explain the examination
Gain consent
Position patient on an examination couch at 45°
Expose patient’s lower legs and feet
Gather equipment
Monofilament
This study source was downloaded by 100000829818949 from CourseHero.com on 02-03-2022 17:58:17 GMT -06:00
1/8
https://www.coursehero.com/file/34537411/geekymedicscom-Diabetic-foot-examination-OSCE-Guidepdf/
, Tuning fork (128 Hz)
Tendon hammer
Inspection
Inspect legs and feet thoroughly (make sure to inspect the posterior aspects of the legs and
between the toes)
Colour – pallor / cyanosis /erythema (e.g.ischaemia / cellulitis)
Skin:
Dry / shiny / hair loss – peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
Eczema / haemosiderin staining – venous disease
Ulcers – inspect limbs thoroughly (including posterior aspects and between toes)
Venous ulcers – moderate to no pain – larger /shallow – associated with
venous insufficiency / varicose veins
Arterial ulcers – very painful – deep punched out appearance – associated with
diabetes mellitus / peripheral vascular disease
Swelling:
Oedema – – e.g. venous insufficiency / heart failure
Deep vein thrombosis – tender on palpation
Calluses – may indicate incorrectly fitting shoes
Venous filling – guttering of veins / reduced visibility suggests PVD
Deformity caused by neuropathy (e.g. Charcot arthropathy)
Inspect legs for hair loss / skin changes
Inspect limb colour
This study source was downloaded by 100000829818949 from CourseHero.com on 02-03-2022 17:58:17 GMT -06:00
2/8
https://www.coursehero.com/file/34537411/geekymedicscom-Diabetic-foot-examination-OSCE-Guidepdf/
