THEME HANDS AND FEET

Persistent foot pain can present significant diagnostic challenges. Even if a diagnosis has been made, relevant pathology can be difficult to settle. As an approach to likely diagnoses, the discussion in this article will be in terms of location (rear foot, midfoot, forefoot) with allowances for medial and lateral pain in each region. likely diagnoses will also vary depending on the patient’s age and activity level. Management options vary with circumstances such as geographic factors and access to imaging and further opinion. While plain X-ray is critical in presentations where there is doubt as to a diagnosis, mention will be made of preferred further imaging if appropriate. This article aims to describe an approach to management of conditions presenting in primary care, rather than a definitive review of management. As such, content will be in significant part based on observations and opinions of current management trends in clinica