Your ankle likely bends inward due to a condition called overpronation.
What is Overpronation?
Overpronation happens when your foot flattens too much and rolls inward when it hits the ground. This inward rolling of the foot can cause your ankle to appear to bend inward.
Causes of Overpronation
The reference explains that overpronation occurs when the muscles, ligaments, and plantar fascia (arch) of the foot are strained, overused, or worn down. Here is a more detailed look at the causes:
- Strained Muscles: The muscles in your feet and lower legs can become strained from overuse or improper support.
- Overused Ligaments: The ligaments that hold your foot bones together can weaken from excessive stress.
- Worn Down Plantar Fascia: The plantar fascia, which supports your arch, can weaken with age or overuse.
How Overpronation Affects Your Ankle
When these structures weaken, your foot loses its ability to properly support your body weight, causing the arch to flatten and the foot to roll inward. This inward rolling motion is what causes your ankle to bend inward.
Impact of Overpronation
Here are a few key points about the impact of overpronation:
- Altered Foot Mechanics: The change in the way your foot hits the ground.
- Ankle Appearance: Makes the ankle appear to bend inward.
- Potential Pain: Can lead to foot pain, ankle pain, and other issues.
What Can You Do?
While this response focuses on the cause of inward ankle bend due to overpronation, if you are experiencing discomfort you may want to:
- See a doctor or physical therapist who can diagnose and recommend treatments
- Try specialized footwear like supportive shoes and orthotic inserts
- Practice strength training for muscles in the lower leg and feet.
