Supination
Pronunciation: soo-pih-NAY-shun
A rotational movement of the forearm or foot in which the palm faces upward or the sole of the foot is turned inward and upward, relevant to the design of upper-limb and foot orthoses.
Full Definition
In orthotics, supination refers to two distinct but related movements: in the forearm, it is the rotation that turns the palm upward or forward; in the foot and subtalar joint, it is the combined movement of inversion, adduction, and plantarflexion that raises the medial arch. Foot supination is a key factor in the assessment and prescription of custom foot orthoses. Editors must take care not to conflate 'supination' with 'inversion' (which is only one component of subtalar supination) or with 'pronation' (its anatomical opposite). Both terms are always lowercase.
Usage
Usage note: Do not use as a synonym for 'inversion.' Always lowercase. In foot orthotics, supination encompasses inversion, adduction, and plantarflexion—a more complex movement than inversion alone.
In Context
- "Excessive foot supination was identified during gait analysis, and a lateral wedge foot orthosis was recommended." — Podiatric orthotics assessment
- "The editor noted that 'supination' and 'inversion' had been used interchangeably and corrected the text to reflect their anatomically distinct meanings." — Clinical manuscript review