Wiki Lower extremity=foot, leg, or both?

[krburke]

Physician wrote "LLE cellulitis" and all through his consult dictation, he just refers to the "left lower extremity" without specifically stating leg or foot. Is there a common assumption that the term "lower extremity" includes both parts? Or is it just the leg, or just the foot? Seems like I bump up against this a lot and can usually get some additional details in the consult dictation, but not this time! Thanks.

 

[nelsong5]

The lower extremities "starts" from the hip joints downward. It includes the hip joint, femur, knee joint, tibia-fibula, ankle joint, foot, metacarpal joints. Sometimes doctors refer to the upper leg or lower leg. Upper leg starts right above the knee joint and the lower leg stars from the knee joint downward. To directly answer your question; lower extremity=foot and leg.

Hope this helps.