Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Pedal Artery Pulse Palpation

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

With the patient supine, use the pads of two or three fingers to palpate the dorsalis pedis pulse on the dorsum of the foot just lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon, and the posterior tibial pulse just behind and below the medial malleolus. Compare the pulses side to side and assess their strength.

How to Interpret

Showing all 1 finding

Peripheral Artery Disease

Any palpable pulse abnormality on pedal pulse palpation
Rule in
Somewhat helpful
Rule out
Somewhat helpful
Evidence:Strong

References

  • Khan NA, Rahim SA, Anand SS, Simel DL, Panju A. Does the clinical examination predict lower extremity peripheral arterial disease? JAMA. 2006 Feb 1;295(5):536-546. doi:10.1001/jama.295.5.536. PMID: 16449619. (JAMA Rational Clinical Examination systematic review.) MEDLINE January 1966 to March 2005 + Cochrane databases search, English language; 51 articles identified, 17 included after dual-author independent extraction with consensus resolution. Reference standards: ankle-brachial index, duplex sonography, or angiogram.
  • McGee S. Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.

Related Diagnoses

Peripheral Artery Disease

Related Systems / Regions

CardiovascularLower Extremities

Related Bedside Tests

🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Ankle-brachial Index
aka Ankle-brachial pressure index; ankle-arm index
Rule in:SHPeripheral Artery Disease, NHMedial Arterial Calcification (Incompressible Vessels), IESevere Peripheral Artery Disease (Critical Limb Ischemia) +1 more
Rule out:SHPeripheral Artery Disease, NHMedial Arterial Calcification (Incompressible Vessels), IESevere Peripheral Artery Disease (Critical Limb Ischemia) +1 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Capillary Refill
Rule in:HHypovolemia, SHDehydration in Pediatric Patient, MHModerate-to-severe Peripheral Artery Disease +4 more
Rule out:MHDehydration in Pediatric Patient, MHHypovolemia, MHShock +3 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Carotid Artery Auscultation
Rule in:SHCarotid Artery Stenosis
Rule out:MHCarotid Artery Stenosis
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Oxygen Saturation
aka Pulse oximetry
Rule in:SHPneumonia, IEChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbation, IEHeart Failure +5 more
Rule out:IEChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbation, IEHeart Failure, IEPeripheral Artery Disease +4 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Femoral Artery Palpation
Rule in:SHAortoiliac Occlusive Disease, IEAortic Coarctation
Rule out:IEAortic Coarctation
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Lower Extremity Inspection and Palpation
Rule in:HPeripheral Arterial Disease, SHHeart Failure, MHDeep Vein Thrombosis
Rule out:MHDeep Vein Thrombosis, MHHeart Failure