Removing socks for an exam?

I have taken my socks off before while undressing at my exams, but I usually leave them on and the doctor removes them when they examine my feet.

During a few of my exams, the doctor specifically said I had to leave my sock on when he instructed me to undress. My guess is that it had to do with the usage of the body scale (hygiene?) , because after the initial part (which included the weighing) I had to take them off anyway for the remainder of the exam.

In most cases however I simply took them of from the start without the doctor giving me any specific instructions to do so. The feel of the cool floor on my bare feet actually adds to the experience for me. In most cases the doctor also checked the reflexes and flexibility of my ankles and the reflex of the soles of my feet so taking off my socks was a necessity anyway. Only in one or two cases the doctor inspected my feet and toes.

During a play exam I’m very often instructed to wear white sports socks. When told to undress I’m told to strip to underpants and socks. The socks on occasions are removed by the Dr during the exam, on other occasions they remain on throughout

In real life events I’ve had my socks removed by a nurse during emergency admission

I'm fortunate to live in So Cal. If I go in for a physical I wear sandals. I have not removed clothing of any sort for physicals for the past several years so it is a moot point about being barefoot.

I keep my socks on, you never know what other people have as far as athletes foot or whatever.

Agreed, Its burn everytime. Now since l was 20 that i was instructed to go barefoot, it just feels weird chilling in a sweatshirt and shorts but my socks inside my shoes on the ground

Anyone think if i wore ankle socks instead of the Nike shin socks i might be able to leave them on?

For the majority of my exams until I was 16, I was able to keep my socks on for my physical exams, but starting when I was 16 my socks always had to come off. It was like that at both my pediatrician and current doctor‘s office when I switched. At first, I did not like taking my socks off because I did not like going barefoot when I was a kid. Things changed after that exam at 16, and started to like being barefoot because of the sensory experience I felt during that exam. I’d like to know how other people felt when you first had to take your socks off for a physical, and were you told to do so?

I always had to take them off and stilll do

It's up to you and your Physician. Feet can show symptoms of many conditions.

Ones I know of involve swelling caused by circulatory problems, fungal infections, reflex and nerve tests and Symptoms of diabetes, frostbite, and arthritis. Ultimately it's up to you. Say no I would rather keep them on if you like. If the Physician misses something because of it, that's on you too.

My Doctor has me naked and checks everything. One time I had a broken little toe and did not know it, hurt a bit sometimes. Not enough for me to mention it.

At my most recent physical last month with a new doctor who is incredibly thorough and “old school," following the medical history / discussion portion of the appointment he instructed me to “remove everything, including socks but to leave your underwear on for now and we'll get started.” And so I did. Most thorough physical I've ever had.

During a play exam I’m very often instructed to wear white sports socks. When told to undress I’m told to strip to underpants and socks. The socks on occasions are removed by the Dr during the exam, on other occasions they remain on throughout

I think the briefs/white socks look is very emasculating. I often start off dressed that way when I have play sessions with myself.

For a real physical the socks must come off at some point. Otherwise the Dr doesn't do a thorough enough exam.

As a play doc, I ask my patients to remove everything, including socks.

The floor is always cold, so I prefer to leave my socks on, however, some doctors have allowed it and others have said no, they have to come off.

The floor is always cold, so I prefer to leave my socks on, however, some doctors have allowed it and others have said no, they have to come off.

@RandiGrove I find that the cold floor adds to the sensory experience for me. I find walking on cold floors a bit refreshing especially in summer, which is when most of my exams took place.

At a recent work exam i had to remove boots and socks to be weighed as the scales had electrodes for some measurement. What struck me as more bizarre though was that i did not have to strip off my clothes, meaning the weight measurement was way off

At a recent work exam i had to remove boots and socks to be weighed as the scales had electrodes for some measurement What struck me as more bizarre though was that i did not have to strip off my clothes, meaning the weight measurement was way off

Wow socks off for work exam? Even just for weight that seems excessive.

@YOLO I think that scale measured body fat. That’s why you had to remove your socks.

For the more thorough exams I've had, I had to take my socks off.

@YOLO I think that scale measured body fat. That’s why you had to remove your socks.

How common are these?

If I am told to either strip, or undress, they come off.

Several clinics I have been to have had signs posted to that effect.

Always been told to undress to my briefs then put on the exam gown I also don’t like taking off my socks only because my feet get cold

I left my socks on at the pediatrician. I take them off now.

How common are these?

@Bosguy95 very common. They’re called InBody Scanners and are common at some gyms like Edge Fitness. I’ve had a few InBody Scans done in the past.

I've never been asked to remove them for an annual physical.

Always off for a dermatologist appointment.

How common are these?

While most medical facilities probably have BMI scales, from what I've read they aren't always that accurate or meaningful.. A well musculared person may have an unusually high BMI but very little body fat. There are other ways to measure BMI that may be more accurate, albeit more time consuming - but it is only a data point that must be considered among other factors. Most likely used by doctors treating obesity or other weight problems.

As far as removing socks for an exam - I keep mine on until the doc wants to look at my feet - which has only happened once.

When my brother and I went to the pediatrician, we were told to undress by the nurse upon entering the exam room with the exception of our underwear. During the reflex check, the doctor would run a stick like thing along the soles of our feet, hence the need for the socks to be off.

At my most recent physical last month with a new doctor who is incredibly thorough and “old school," following the medical history / discussion portion of the appointment he instructed me to “remove everything, including socks but to leave your underwear on for now and we'll get started.” And so I did. Most thorough physical I've ever had.

I would love to find a doctor like that.

Regarding this issue if you prefer to keep your socks on, one word sums it all up: COMMUNICATION! Communicate with the staff and your provider. I absolutely will not remove them until it is needed, then my socks go back on. I don’t go barefoot in an exam room. The floor etc are generally vile Petri dishes of germs. If I am wearing socks in, I have a separate pair I put on. After the exam, the socks worn go in a ziplock bag to be laundered or the trash.

@Fawkes - Communication and patient rights are paramount. We have the right to refuse anything and do NOT have to submit to any procedure or direction the doctor gives. Something as trivial as not removing socks - or even underwear - when asked to disrobe is no big deal, simply tell your doc you'll keep what ever on until needed if you're uncomfortable removing it, or don't even mention it, just maintain dress to a comfortable level.

As far as your “phobia” about the floor being a Petri dish - that's a bit far out for me, but again, if that's your reason for not wanting to remove your socks - it's as good a reason as any. My reason for keeping socks on is I don't want my feet to get cold! I can't see any decent doctor getting upset about this.

I once complained about urges for frequent urination, and my doc suggested a DRE (my PSA was low). I said no (guess I'm in the minority here), not unless there was some other indication of an enlarged prostate. She was fine with that.

@Rigel,

AMEN regarding patient rights.

My ”phobia“ regarding exam rooms, I’ve worked in clinics and back office. I’ve seen some pretty nasty things. Hence, my “phobia” is what it is. Cold feet, that is my other reason as well. It closely follows the “phobia“ reason.