The evaluation of a foot injury begins with a history and physical examination.

Physical findings in someone with a foot injury may include:

• Foot contusion:
• Bruising to the foot
• Foot swelling (unilateral)
• Foot tenderness:
• Overlying a bone

Additional findings in someone with a serious foot injury may include:

• Foot or toe deformity
• Foot laceration
• Foot puncture wound
• Inability to walk
• Inability to move the foot
• Foot weakness (unilateral)
• Foot numbness (unilateral)

Testing is often necessary to detect a foot fracture.

Tests that may be used to evaluate foot injury include:

• Foot x-rays:
• Used to detect a fracture or dislocation.

Less commonly performed tests that may be used to evaluate foot injury include:

• Bone scanning:
• Detects hairline fractures (stress fractures) you cannot see on x-ray

For more information:

• Foot fracture evaluation
• Foot wound evaluation