Purpose: A specific Foot and Nail Care interventional plan has shown in the literature to be an effective approach for promotion of comfort, prevention of injuries, and reduction of amputations. Our population is aging. By the year 2030, there will be 69 million people over the age of 65 and 32 million diagnosed with diabetes. Both populations are at highest-risk for foot health issues and injury. The purpose of this paper is to offer the assessment content of the lower extremity in preparation for the WOCN Foot and Nail Board Examination for Certification. The content will discuss the essential components of a physical assessment of the foot and lower extremities to determine underlying systemic and localized diseases or conditions that directly affect the health of the foot.

Objective: The key components of assessment utilized in a foot and nail care practice is to identify conditions requiring intervention, education, and/or referral. These components include the use of non-invasive, inexpensive, and quantitative tools to assess individuals for risk of lower extremity wounds that may lead to amputation. The physical examination should be thorough and address functional disability, circulation, sensory neuropathy, edema, musculoskeletal deformities, pain, dermatologic conditions, and toenail and cuticle conditions.

Outcomes: Comfort, accommodation of deformity, identification and referral for lower extremity arterial disease and sensory neuropathy can be addressed with a proactive approach to foot and nail care. Opportunities for identifying patient and caregiver education needs identified and strategies of offering a wide-variety of instruction implemented.

Conclusion: Appropriate and immediate referral facilitates a promotion of comfort and healing. Simple, basic foot care for our high-risk population can reduce lower limb injury and loss.