Forefoot / Midfoot · Pediatrics · Sports Medicine · Standard
Soccer Player
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
"The ball of my foot hurts when I run."
16-year-old female soccer player with progressive pain at the 2nd MPJ.
History of present illness
Several months of gradually worsening pain at the ball of the right foot under the 2nd toe joint, worse with running, cutting and cleats; now aching after games and at rest.
- Swelling around the 2nd MPJ; the toe feels stiff
- No specific injury
- Failed CAM boot immobilization and a cortisone injection
Questions a strong candidate asks at this step
- Onset, duration, activity relation
- Trauma
- Swelling, stiffness, clicking
- Treatment so far
- Menstrual history/diet if stress injury is suspected (female athlete triad)
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.