Supination
Pronunciation: soo-pih-NAY-shun
The outward rotation of the foot or forearm; in the foot, the combined movement of inversion, adduction, and plantarflexion of the subtalar joint.
Full Definition
In the context of orthotic services, supination refers to the triplanar movement of the subtalar joint that results in the foot rotating outward and the arch rising. Excessive supination (also called underpronation) is associated with high-arched (cavus) foot structure and can increase the risk of ankle sprains and lateral stress fractures. Orthotic management of supination typically involves lateral wedging and accommodative padding. Editors must distinguish 'supination' from 'pronation' and should not conflate foot supination with forearm supination, which, while sharing the term, refers to a different anatomical movement.
Usage
Usage note: In orthotic contexts, 'supination' refers to foot movement. Avoid using 'inversion' as a full synonym, as it describes only one component of subtalar supination.
In Context
- "The assessment noted bilateral supination with a high medial arch bilaterally." — Podiatric biomechanical assessment
- "The writer had confused supination with pronation when describing the patient's gait pattern; the editor corrected this." — Clinical report proofreading