Rearfoot / Ankle · Pediatrics · Reconstructive · Core
Mother's Worry
Podiatric surgery residency interview case. Work through it the way you would at an interview: take the history, ask for the exam and imaging, then commit to a diagnosis and plan.
Chief complaint
"His feet look turned in and they are not getting better."
4-month-old boy brought to the clinic by his mother who is concerned about his feet.
History of present illness
Mother noticed at birth that both feet pointed down and in. She was told it might improve on its own and no treatment was started. Over the following months the feet have not corrected, and the feet cannot be gently straightened by hand. Pregnancy and delivery were uncomplicated; no breech position, no oligohydramnios. Feeding and movement of the legs are normal; no pain behavior. No prior casting, bracing or physical therapy.
Questions a strong candidate asks at this step
- Onset: present at birth vs developed later
- Unilateral or bilateral
- Pregnancy, delivery, gestational age, breech or oligohydramnios
- Has the foot ever been corrected by hand; progression
- Prior treatment (casting, bracing, therapy)
- Other anomalies, hips, spine, tone, development
Present the rest of the case
Past history, exam, imaging, assessment, plan and discussion questions, with model answers, are in the interactive trainer. The diagnosis is kept there on purpose so you can practice committing to one.