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Hi there,

I have a couple of questions about the dorsalis pedis pulse that I'm sure somebody could help me with:

Is it the case that it is absent in 10 percent of the population as a normal variation?

And sometimes when palpating the DP, I find it much more lateral than usual. What's that all about? Is it a different pulse or is it a normal variation in position?

Thanks in advance.

Rebecca

 

Dorsalis pedis arterial pulse: palpation using a bony landmark
A Mowlavi , J Whiteman , B J Wilhelmi , M W Neumeister , R McLafferty
Postgraduate Medical Journal 2002;78:746-747

 

You may be palpating the perforating peroneal pulse, which is sometimes anterior to lateral malleolus.

 

>>>>>>"I find it much more lateral than usual. What's that all about? "<<<<<<<
My smart ass reply would be -they don't all read Gray's anatomy!

There is some variation. My opinion is that the Popliteal and Post Tib are far more important in evaluating vascularity clinically (along with the rest of your exam) - if the DP is absent or perhaps not exactly where you expect it, it's not significant.

Palpate on!
Steve

 

I was always told if struggling to find the DP locate the vein and then it usually is located just lateraly, not a 100% but a good guide i usually find.

 

Another question I have about pulses and that is bounding pulses (as opposed to a stong pulse). I know in diabetics that acute Charcot arthropathy needs to be ruled out. What about bounding pulses in non-diabetics? Do bounding pulses always indicate something of concern?

Rebecca