Position and motion of the subtalar joint during the contact phase of gait are best described as?

• A. Pronating 2-4 degrees and supinating 4-6 degrees
• B. Neutral position
• C. Supinating 2-4 degrees and pronating 4-6 degrees
• D. Everted 4-6 degrees

Answer: (C)

During contact in gait, the hindfoot moves from a near-neutral position into pronation to absorb shock and adapt to the ground, with a brief initial phase of mild supination before the main pronation occurs. The pattern described as a small early supination (about 2-4 degrees) followed by a larger pronation (about 4-6 degrees) best fits what happens in this phase. This combination captures the sequence and magnitudes observed as the foot transitions from initial contact through loading response. A neutral position doesn’t reflect the motion, and a purely everted description or a pattern lacking the early supination fails to describe the actual progression of subtalar motion during contact.