LIFE+ Blog

Over pronation of the foot is a common dysfunction in the foot.  One of the most common causes of increased pronation is categorized as a compensated supination of the foot.  This occurs when the joints of the mid foot, the bones between the heel and toes, become stiff and lose mobility in the joints between them.

Pronation is a necessary motion that starts at the rearfoot and continues through the mid foot and forefoot that allows the foot to contact the ground and disperse forces efficiently through the foot in the contact and stance phase of gait (walking).  When the joints of the mid foot are stiff and do not move correctly, this area of the foot loses it’s ability to pronate.  When this occurs, this loss of mid foot pronation is dispersed through the rearfoot contributing to a compensatory over pronation at the rearfoot which increases stress on to the foot and ankle, decreases load dispersion at the foot, and can contribute to increased internal rotation at the knee and hip.  Because of this the foot and ankle should be addressed in assessing knee, hip, and back pain.