Supination Foot: Causes, Treatment And Exercises

How many times have you had pain in your ankles or toes? You blamed it on too much stress and improper shoes. Right?

Incorrect Pronation is often the reason for most foot-related issues. Over and underpronation of feet have different effects on the overall gait of a person.

Normal Pronation includes inward rolling of the foot during movement. This causes a uniform weight distribution on the balls of the foot rather than the toes or arches.

It is especially important to understand the correct Pronation position of the foot to assess its overall effect on the physical movement. Incorrect Supination can cause anything from plantar fasciitis, tendonitis to even ankle and toe injury.

In the case of Supination or Underpronation, the weight distribution is towards the outer toes. This causes the ankles to roll outward and distribute the body weight unevenly.

Supination Foot is a common after-effect of Underpronation. It is seen to occur in people with high arches and tight Achilles Tendon. If left disregarded and untreated, Supination could cause severe and permanent damage to the feet.

What Are The Common Traits Of Supination Foot?

Few specific common denominating traits can help in recognizing Supination Foot. These include –

Ankle spraining frequently.
The occurrence of Hammertoes commonly seen as abnormal bending or curving of the toes.
Shin Splints, widely known as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome. The ligament and musculature around the Tibia are inflamed and painful.
Constant swelling and pain in the ankle and ball of the feet.
Weakness and throbbing sensation during running or prolonged periods of standing.
Formation of Calluses or corns all around the foot base.
Plantar Fasciitis.
Achilles Tendonitis.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome is characterized by pain and inflammation of the outer aspects of the Thigh and Knee.
The outer border of the shoes is worn out faster.

What Can Cause Supination Foot?

Though a familial occurrence due to hereditary traits, there can be numerous other reasons too. Some of the common etiological contributing factors leading to Supination feet include –

Incorrect length ratio of both legs.
Improper Ankle stability due to genetic reasons.
Insufficient foot area.
Incorrect body alignment.
A prolonged period of standing without rest.
A sedentary lifestyle with the absence of limbic movements.
Prior to lower limb injury with incorrect healing.
Arthritis and other age-related joint stiffness.
Improper shoes and worn-out footwear.
Too much exercise without proper ankle support.
Too much walking on uneven and rough terrains.
Poor Posture.

How Do You Detect Supination Foot?

The supination Foot can be detected by careful observation of small details in the physical trait of a person. These pointers include –

Checking of the older shoes for worn-out outer edges and borders.
Place wet feet on a flat surface like concrete. Check the impression and see the position of the arches. If half of the arch is visible, it is a sign of normal gait. In case of absence of arch or only partial or fractional imprint, it is a sign of Underpronation.
Examination via a Sports therapist or Podiatrist.

Treating Supination Foot The Correct Way

Regardless of the long list of causes, the Supination foot is treatable. Necessary changes in the lifestyle and right rehabilitation methodology can help in correcting Underpronation.

Detecting the reason for its occurrence is the first step. Once diagnosed, a specific treatment regime can be planned accordingly. Although non-fatal, Supination foot if left untreated can result in disability.

The first line of treatment to correct under pronation or Supination Foot includes –

Physical rehabilitation to strengthen the lower body musculature and bones using various forms of exercise regimes.
Choosing the right shoes with excellent ankle support. Special shoes for Supination are prescribed by the Therapist and Podiatrists to correct misalignment and provide ankle support.
Using orthopedic insoles, custom made to correct Underpronation.
Ensure the shoes worn have ample room for toe movement.
Use shoes with thick insoles and padding. Shoes with extra buffer layering and cushion help in weight distribution and stress relief.
Correction of the foot placement with help from a Physical Therapist.

The Perfect Exercises For Treating Supination Foot

Gait correction and proper footwear are only partially responsible for managing the Supination Foot successfully. Physical rehabilitation using various forms of exercise is the primary route of treating and correcting Underpronation.

The most common exercise routines selected by Physical Therapists include –

Jumping Rope.
Stretching and warming of the calf muscle and Achilles tendons.
Stretching of the Knee joints.
Stretching of the Plantar Fascia.
Stretching of the Shin Muscles.
Loosening of the musculature using foam rollers.

The supination Foot is caused mainly due to improper footwear. It is also one of the most neglected and misdiagnosed ailments of the feet. Even though treating the Supination foot is very easy and rehabilitation is also rapid, many often disregard it.

Painkillers and rest can only provide temporary relief in treating Supination Foot. It is best to eradicate it rather than suppress it for some time. The cure is correct shoes and a proper exercise routine only.

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