Table 3.

Key components of the diabetic foot exam

Inspection

Dermatologic

skin status: color, thickness, dryness, cracking sweating infection: check between toes for fungal infection ulceration calluses/blistering: hemorrhage into callus?

Musculoskeletal

deformity, e.g., claw toes, prominent metatarsal heads, Charcot joint (Fig. 1) muscle wasting (guttering between metatarsals)

Neurological assessment

10-g monofilament + 1 of the following 4

vibration using 128-Hz tuning fork pinprick sensation ankle reflexes VPT

Vascular assessment

foot pulses ABI, if indicated