Look

Look for swelling, redness, wounds or scars, sinuses - all with respect to the anatomical structures.

Feel

Feel round the whole ankle, even the bits the patient is not complaining of. It may be worth leaving the most painful area to last, so that if the patient's compliance is then lost, you do not lose information on the rest of the ankle (and foot). Again, relate palpation to the areas the patient is complaining of and to the anatomical structures.

Move

Ask the patient to move the ankle through a full range. Ask if any movement produces pain.

Special tests

Ankle instability

The main tests are the anterior draw test and varus tilt test.