 Plantar flexion and dorsiflexion are motions in the sagittal plane.- Adduction and abduction are motions in the transverse plane.
- Inversion and Eversion are motions in the frontal plane.
Pronation = abduction dorsiflexion eversion
Supination = adduction plantarflexion inversion
Both pronation and supination are triplane motions.
Structural Positions
Knock Kneed Position - Genu Valgum
Genu valgum is the medical name for knock knees. Knock knees has to do with how the knee lines itself up with the hip and ankle. In a normal standing position, if someone's knees are touching, then their ankles will also touch. Excess pronation causes an anterior tilt to the pelvis and resultant knock kneed position.
The typical gait pattern is circumduction - requiring that the patient swing each leg outward whilst walking to avoid striking the planted limb with the moving limb. The mechanics of gait are compromised and with the significant angular deformity, a high degree of anterior and medial knee pain are common, reflecting the pathological strain on the knee and its patello-femoral extensor mechanism.
Bow Legged Position - Genu Varum
Genu varum is the medical name for bow legged position. This condition is recognisable by an abnormal out-curving of the legs, which results in a gap between the knees on standing. A certain degree of bowing is normal in small children, but persistence into adult life, or later development of this deformity results from abnormal growth of the epiphysis or arthritis. Average tibial varum angle in adults should be between 4-6° to the vertical.
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