Capsular Patterns

Question 1

Glenohumeral joint

Answer 1

Restricted motions: Greatest loss of lateral rotation, moderate loss of abduction, minimal loss of medial rotation

Question 2

Elbow complex (humeroulnar, humeroradial, proximal radioulnar joints)

Answer 2

Restricted motions: Loss of flexion greater than loss of extension, rotations full and painless except in advanced cases

Question 3

Forearm (proximal and distal radioulnar joints)

Answer 3

Restricted motions: Equal loss of supination and pronation, only occurring if elbow has marked restrictions of flexion and extension

Question 4

Wrist (radiocarpal and midcarpal joints)

Answer 4

Restricted motions: Equal loss of flexion and extension, slight loss of ulnar and radial deviation (Cyriax)
Equal loss of all motions (Kaltenborn)

Question 5

Hand (carpometacarpal joint digit 1)

Answer 5

Restricted motions: Loss of abduction (Cyriax); loss of abduction greater than extension (Kaltenborn)

Question 6

Hand (carpometacarpal joint digits 2-5)

Answer 6

Restricted motions: Equal loss of all motions

Question 7

Hand (metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints)

Answer 7

Restricted motions: Equal loss of flexion and extension (Cyriax)
Restricted in all motions but loss of flexion greater than loss of other motions (Kaltenborn)

Question 8

Hip

Answer 8

Restricted motions: Greatest loss of medial rotation and flexion; some loss of abduction, slight loss of extension; little or no loss of adduction and lateral rotation (Cyriax)
Greatest loss of medial rotation, followed by less restriction of extension, abduction, flexion, and lateral rotation (Kaltenborn)

Question 9

Knee (tibiofemoral joint)

Answer 9

Restricted motions: Loss of flexion greater than extension

Question 10

Ankle (talocrural joint)

Answer 10

Restricted motions: Loss of plantarflexion greater than dorsiflexion

Question 11

Subtalar joint

Answer 11

Restricted motions: Loss of inversion (varus)

Question 12

Midtarsal joint

Answer 12

Restricted motions: Loss of inversion (adduction and medial rotation); other motions full

Question 13

Foot (metatarsophalangeal joint digit 1)

Answer 13

Restricted motions: Loss of extension greater than flexion

Question 14

Foot (metatarsophalangeal joint digits 2-5)

Answer 14

Restricted motions: Loss of flexion greater than extension

Question 15

Foot (interphalangeal joints)

Answer 15

Restricted motions: Loss of extension greater than flexion

Question 16

Atlanto-occipital joint

Answer 16

Equal loss extension and lateral flexion

Rotation and flexion not affected

Question 17

C2-C7 cervical spine

Answer 17

Pain and equal limitation of all motions except flexion

Question 18

Unilateral facet involvement in cervical spine

Answer 18

Greater restriction of movement in lateral flexion to the opposite side and in rotation to the same side

Question 19

Thoracic spine

Answer 19

Greater limitation of extension, lateral flexion, and rotation than of forward flexion

Question 20

Lumbar spine

Answer 20

Equal restriction of lateral flexion followed by restriction of flexion and extension