A complete lesion of the tibial nerve on one leg will most likely result in which gait deviation?

A complete lesion of the tibial nerve primarily affects the muscles responsible for plantarflexion of the ankle and toe flexion. When this nerve is compromised, the individual loses the ability to effectively control these movements. As a result, there is a decreased ability to push off during the terminal stance phase of walking. This loss of push-off strength leads to an overall decrease in propulsion, which in turn causes the individual to modify their gait mechanics.

Specifically, the shortened step length on the contralateral side is a compensatory strategy that emerges in response to the loss of function on the affected side. By decreasing the step length on the opposite side, the individual can maintain balance and prevent excessive lateral sway, which might occur due to the instability associated with the ipsilateral foot's inability to effectively push off.

In this context, the gait adaptation is a direct response to the challenges posed by the tibial nerve lesion, making the increased reliance on the contralateral leg a necessary compensatory mechanism to sustain an efficient gait pattern.