Arthrokinematics

Question 1

What is the difference between osteokinematics and arthrokinematics?

Answer 1

Osteokinematics describes movement between two bones around a joint axis (this movement is quantifiable and measured with a goniometer)
Arthrokinematics describes movement which occurs between two joint surfaces

Question 2

List the 3 types of NORMAL end feel.

Answer 2

1. Bony end feel - hard feel
2. Soft Tissue Stretch - firm with flight give
3. Soft Tissue Approximation - soft tissue pushing together

Question 3

List the 5 types of ABNORMAL end feel.

Answer 3

1. Abnormal bony end feel - bony block before normal end range of motion
2. Boggy end feel - spongy end feel usually due to edema
3. Empty end feel - patient will not let you get to an end feel; limited by pain
4. Springy block - rebound movement
5. Muscle spasm/guarding - reflex muscle spasm during motion

Question 4

Define mobilization.

Answer 4

Passive oscillatory motion or sustained stretch applied at a SLOW enough speed by an external force that the individual can stop the motion

Question 5

Define manipulation.

Answer 5

A passive movement applied with a very forceful thrust within a short range that cannot be stopped
(usually chiropractors do this)

Question 6

Discuss arthrokinematic movements.

Answer 6

Roll: both bones hit each other at different points
Spin: ie - radius against humerus
Glide: single point on one bone hits multiple points on another bones

Question 7

Discuss the concave-convex rule.

Answer 7

• Concave joint surface moves in the same direction as the body segment’s motion
• Convex joint surface moves int he opposite direction as the body segment’s motion
• If concave surface is moving - roll and glide are in the same direction
• If convex surface is moving - roll and glide are in the opposite direction

Be able to describe an example of this rule.

Question 8

Discuss open and closed pack position.

Answer 8

Closed pack position

• congruency
• joint surface in max contact and tightly compressed
• position most likely to result in joint surface damage

Open pack position

• max incongruency
• loose pack/resting position
• position most likely to result in soft tissue damage

Question 9

Discuss the following joint play and accessory motion forces:
Traction/distraction
Approximation/compression
Shear
Bending
Rotary

Answer 9

Traction/distraction: pulling joint apart
Approximation/compression: pushing joint together
Shear: one bone moves in one direction and the other bone moves in the opposite direction
Bending:
Rotary: rotation