Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology

The Ankle and Foot 327

is called rearfoot varus (L. bent inward) (figure
6.30C). Rearfoot varus is commonly associated with
excessive supination during gait and increased risk
for ankle sprains, and it requires midtarsal eversion

to bring the medial toes down to the ground in the

same plane with the lateral toes during standing. A

dancer with rearfoot varus will find it easy to “roll

out,” with too much of the body weight placed on

the outside of the foot and inadequate weight borne

by the hallux.

Position of the Toes

The arches and position of the rearfoot, as well as

genetic factors, can also influence the position of the

toes. Prevalent problems involving the toes include

claw toes, hammertoes, and hallux valgus.

Claw Toes and Hammertoes

Claw toes and hammertoes represent conditions in

which the lesser toes, usually particularly the second

toe, remain excessively flexed. With claw toes the

Pes Planus

Perform the following observations to identify the presence of flexible or rigid pes planus.

1. While sitting down (non-weight bearing), mark the following landmarks on one foot:
   a. Inferolateral aspect of the head of the first metatarsal
   b. Tubercle of the navicular
   c. Distal point of the medial malleolus
   Note the relationship of these three points. If the tubercle of the navicular falls on the line between
   the head of the first metatarsal and the medial malleolus, this is considered a normal arch. In
   contrast, if the tubercle of the navicular drops markedly below this line, this is considered rigid
   flatfoot, or rigid pes planus.


2. Now stand up, placing weight on the foot that has the markers, and note if the relationship of
   the points changes. If the three points still stay in line, this would still be considered a normal
   arch. However, if the navicular was in line when non-weight bearing but drops below the line when
   weight bearing, this is considered a flexible flatfoot, or flexible pes planus. The degree to which
   the navicular drops is reflective of the severity of the pes planus.

TESTS AND MEASUREMENTS 6.2

FIGURE 6.30 Rearfoot position (right foot, posterior
view). (A) Neutral, (B) rearfoot valgus, (C) rearfoot varus.

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