Which term describes inward leaning of the ankle and heel that can affect gait?

• A. Pronation
• B. Foot drop/Drop foot
• C. Hammertoe
• D. Tinea pedis

Answer: (A)

Pronation describes the inward rolling of the ankle and heel during stance and gait. As the foot pronates, the subtalar joint everts, the medial arch lowers, and weight shifts toward the inside of the foot, which can change how you walk and how load is distributed through the leg. While some pronation is normal, excessive or prolonged inward leaning can alter gait mechanics and contribute to fatigue or overuse issues in the foot and lower leg.

Foot drop refers to difficulty lifting the front part of the foot (inadequate dorsiflexion), leading to toe drag. Hammertoe is a toe deformity with abnormal bending at the toe joints. Tinea pedis is a fungal infection of the skin of the foot. These describe different conditions and do not describe the inward ankle/heel movement associated with pronation.