In spastic hemiparesis, what is the typical posture of the ankle?

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Multiple Choice

In spastic hemiparesis, what is the typical posture of the ankle?

Explanation:
In spastic hemiparesis after an upper motor neuron injury, the ankle commonly assumes a plantarflexed and inverted position due to overactivity of the calf muscles and the tibialis posterior. The plantar flexors pull the foot into an equinus (tiptoe) posture, while the invertors tilt the hindfoot into varus. This combination—plantarflexion with inversion—creates the characteristic equinus-varus alignment seen during stance and gait. Dorsiflexion with eversion, a neutral ankle, or plantarflexion with eversion do not fit this typical pattern, which is why plantarflexed and inverted is the correct description.

In spastic hemiparesis after an upper motor neuron injury, the ankle commonly assumes a plantarflexed and inverted position due to overactivity of the calf muscles and the tibialis posterior. The plantar flexors pull the foot into an equinus (tiptoe) posture, while the invertors tilt the hindfoot into varus. This combination—plantarflexion with inversion—creates the characteristic equinus-varus alignment seen during stance and gait. Dorsiflexion with eversion, a neutral ankle, or plantarflexion with eversion do not fit this typical pattern, which is why plantarflexed and inverted is the correct description.

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