what-when-how
In Depth Tutorials and Information
Pes cavus/cavoid foot:
a high-arched foot with an inverted
calcaneus. Associated with lateral weightbearing, lateral instability and
lateral ankle sprains.
Pes planus/pes planovalgus:
an elongated foot with an everted
calcaneus and flattened arch.
Plantarflexed/plantarflexion:
a 'toe-down' motion of the foot at the
ankle which moves the dorsum of the foot further away from the
anterior aspect of the tibia. Digital plantarflexion involves moving the
toes downwards away from the dorsum of the foot.
Plantigrade:
walking on the sole of the foot with the heel touching the
ground. Plantigrade function is compromised, for example, in cerebral
palsy if there is an ankle equinus which restricts the heel from
contacting the ground.
Posterior:
located behind a part or towards the rear of a structure.
Pronation/pronated:
a combination of dorsiflexion, eversion and
abduction movements taking place in the tarsal and metatarsal joints
which results in lowering of the medial margin of the foot and hence
of the longitudinal arch.
Proximal:
nearer to a point of reference or attachment, usually the
trunk of the body, than other parts of the body. Proximal
interphalangeal joints are those closest to the foot.
Sagittal plane:
the longitudinal plane that divides the body into right
and left sections.
Supination/supinated:
a combination of plantarflexion, inversion and
adduction taking place in the tarsal and metatarsal joints which results
in raising of the medial margin of the foot and hence of the
longitudinal arch.
Toe spring:
the front part of the shoe sole. The height can range from
being completely flat on the floor, i.e. no toe spring, to being elevated
enough to create a rocker sole, and is dependent on shoe design and
intended function.
Transverse plane:
the plane passing through the body from side to
side, at right angles to the median plane, dividing the body into top
and bottom or superior and inferior parts.
Valgus:
a frontal plane position in which the foot or part of a limb is
turned outwards away from the midline.
Varus:
a frontal plane position in which the foot or part of a limb is
turned inwards toward the midline.
