Rearfoot / Ankle · Pediatrics · Reconstructive · Standard
Tired Feet
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 feet hurt and get tired when I play."
12-year-old male brought in by his mother for painful flat feet.
History of present illness
Aching in the arches and along the inside of both ankles for over a year, worse after sports and long walks, better with rest. Over-the-counter arch supports and supportive shoes helped only briefly.
- No trauma
- No night pain, no swelling of the joints
- Fatigue and calf tightness
Questions a strong candidate asks at this step
- Location of pain (medial arch, sinus tarsi, PT tendon)
- Duration, activity limitations
- Treatment tried (orthoses, shoes)
- Night pain or systemic symptoms (red flags)
- Recurrent ankle sprains (coalition)
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.