Supination Symptoms

Supination is a condition involving the hand and the foot, wherein one or both body parts have abnormal rotating movements. When the condition affects the hands, it results in a movement that shows the palm facing upward. Meanwhile, when the condition affects the foot, the sole of the foot moves upward--resulting in a person walking on the exterior border of the foot.

Facts

• Supination is often associated with an individual walking or running. This is not entirely a disadvantageous or crippling condition. In fact, a supinated foot can provide the individual a rigid surface for the foot wherein she can push off in taking her next step. Moreover, supination can also be found in everyone's foot as it automatically supinates to give leverage in moving forward. Excessive supination, however, can cause injury and a couple of problems.

Symptoms

• Because supination causes the joints and bones to twist, the bones in the foot are one of the things that one should look at in diagnosing this condition. The bones shift significantly outward such that the supinated feet seem to be putting the body's weight on the exterior side of the feet. Other symptoms include tendonitis, pains, muscle aches, cramps and reduced muscle efficiency, resulting in slow walking or running.

Causes

• Supination is a hereditary condition and a congenital defect, which is the common cause of individuals with this condition. As the bones develop, supinated individuals have tighter than normal tissues holding the bones and muscles together. This causes the individual to not move properly. As the individual further grows, the foot exhibits rigidity, an appearance that is high arched, and the person puts his weight on the other borders of the foot.

Excess Supination

• As stated before, excessive supination can be dangerous. Since the supinated individual mainly puts his weight on the outer border of the foot, the foot is prone to excessive callousing. Moreover, as supination is an abnormal condition that affects walking, it can also affect the knee and back, causing pain in both areas. This is also true for the ankles and may also cause intensified pain accompanied by tendonitis.

Treatment

• Providing custom-made orthotics is the most effective and non-invasive method in curing supination. These orthotics can correct the body's means of putting weight on the whole feet, not just on the outer border of the foot. With orthotics implemented, the ankle is not likely to twist again and cause sprains. Most orthopedic doctors can provide custom-made orthotics to treat supination.