Forefoot / Midfoot · Reconstructive · Pediatrics · Standard
Teen Bump
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
"My bunion hurts in my school shoes."
14-year-old female seen in the podiatry clinic with her mother.
History of present illness
Painful bump on the inside of the right great toe joint for about 2 years, progressively larger. Pain is 6/10, aching, worse in closed shoes and with sports, relieved by removing shoes.
- Tried wider shoes, bunion pads and OTC inserts without relief
- No trauma; no numbness, redness or drainage
- Mother had bunion surgery as an adult
Questions a strong candidate asks at this step
- Onset, duration and progression of the bump
- Character, severity, aggravating and relieving factors
- Shoe-gear and activities affected
- Previous treatments
- Family history of bunions (strong in juvenile HAV)
- Is she still growing? Menarche / recent growth spurts
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.