Pronation is the inward rolling of the foot and ankle while walking or running. It can be caused by an inherited defect, non-supportive footwear, tight muscles, and internal rotation of the leg. Overpronation can lead to overuse and repetitive strain injury. A comprehensive gait analysis can determine the underlying causes.
There are a variety of potential causes of pronation. The condition is often the result of an inherited defect that causes the ligaments and muscles that support the joint to loosen. It can also be caused by regular wearing of non-supportive or harmful footwear such as high heels, tight muscles surrounding the joint, and internal rotation of the leg.
Pronation, a condition in which the foot and ankle roll inward when running or walking, is a normal and natural part of human gait. Problems start when the foot pronates too much, something known as overpronation or overpronation. When this happens, the foot and lower limb move inward too much, causing the rest of the body to compensate. Over time, this increases the chances of overuse and repetitive strain injury.
While there are several potential causes of pronation, the most common is an inherited defect. If a person is born with loose tissue in the ankle and foot, the bones aren’t held securely in place. This allows the foot to turn inward more than it should while walking. As the person continues to grow, the bones, ligaments and muscles all develop to compensate for this defect. Over time, the looseness of the fabric tends to get worse.
Other potential causes of pronation are less common but still important. Women who wear high heels regularly, for example, are thought to be more susceptible to overpronation. This is because high heels place the foot in an abnormal position which can cause laxity of the surrounding tissue.
Older people are also more likely to suffer from overpronation. This is because the muscles that support the ankle joint naturally weaken as people get older. The result is a collapsed arch of the foot, which can contribute to excessive overpronation.
There are a number of other potential causes of pronation. If the muscles and tendons in the back of the lower limb, such as the calf muscles and Achilles tendon, are tight, the foot and ankle may be forced to pronate to compensate. If the femur — the thigh bone that starts at the hip — is internally rotated, this too can cause the foot to pronate. In most cases, the only way to determine the underlying causes of pronation is through a comprehensive gait analysis, which usually involves recording equipment so that the movement can be slowed down and analyzed.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
