Common Misalignments

Question 1

Genu Valgum

Answer 1

Knock Knees

Knees touch but ankles don’t

Question 2

How do you correct Knock Knees?

Answer 2

• increase the range of motion and strength of the muscles that support the medial knee
• stretch and release the muscles that stress the lateral side of the joint
• use balls or resistance bands to help with alignment during footwork

Question 3

Genu Varum

Answer 3

Bowlegs

Ankles touch but knees don’t

Question 4

How do you correct bowlegs?

Answer 4

• Increase the ROM and strength of the muscles that support the lateral knee
• stretch or release the muscles that stress the media knee joint

Question 5

Malicious malalignment

Answer 5

Internally rotated femurs with externally rotated tibias and pronation of feet.

• work to improve ROM and strength of external rotation of hip

Question 6

Genu Recurvatum

Answer 6

Hyper extended knees

Knee extends beyond 180 degrees

Question 7

how do you fix hyper extended knees?

Answer 7

• improve the balance between quads and hamstring strength- support knee in neutral position
• for dancers only use hyper extension in non weight bearing activities

Question 8

Internal rotation of the femur

Answer 8

Cross- eyed knees

The patallae will point towards each other on full extension of the knee and hip.

Corrections:
- increase the ROM and strength of the hip in external rotation
- stretch and release the hip flexors and internal rotators

Question 9

External rotation of the femur

Answer 9

External rotation of the hip and knee—- weak medial leg structure (adductors) and tight external rotators

Corrections:
- increase ROM and strength of the internal rotators
- stretch external rotators

Question 10

Tibial torsion or tibial bowing

Answer 10

Tibia externally rotates relative to the femur causing the feet to be more externally rotated than the knees

Question 11

Ankle pronation

Answer 11

Flat foot

Medial foot collapses (arch)

Question 12

Ankle supination

Answer 12

Medial foot is tight and weight is carried on the outside of the foot (high arch)

Question 13

What is Scoliosis?

Answer 13

A lateral deviation of the spine usually accompanied by rotation. Can occur in 1 or 2 spots in the spine

• maintain as much balance as possible
• stretch shortened side and strengthen the longer side

Question 14

What is lordosis?

Answer 14

A spinal curve toward the front of the body. (But sticks out)

• tight low back extensors, tight hip flexors and weak abdominals in the neutral spine
• work on mobility of the lumbar and hip flexors and increasing the strength of the abdominals and hamstrings while stabilizing pelvis in neutral

Question 15

What is an anterior pelvic tilt?

Answer 15

When the ASIS is anterior of the public bone (butt sticks out)

• lengthen the hip flexors and lumbar extensors and strengthen the hamstrings and abdominals
• train to maintain posture in standing

Question 16

What is Pelvic up slip and down slip?

Answer 16

“High hip or low hip”
When the high point of the iliac crest is not level- the high side is called an up slip and low side is down slip

• balance the hip abductors and adductors, quadratics lumborum and lateral torso muscles

Question 17

What is posterior pelvic tilt?

Answer 17

When the ASIS is posterior to the pubic bone (butt tucked in)

• strengthen the hip flexors and lumbar extensors and lengthen the hamstrings and abdominals

Question 18

What is pelvic in flare and outflare?

Answer 18

Pelvic Rotation
When one one hip is anterior and closer to midline while the other hip is posterior and farther away from the midline.

• balance the rotation of the torso and pelvis through the anterior and posterior oblique slings and the hip rotators

Question 19

What is femoral medial rotation?

Answer 19

When the femurs are rotated toward the midline around their long axis. Patella’s aim toward the midline when the legs are straight as if they were “cross eyed”

• strengthen lateral femoral rotation and stretch the adductors and medial rotators

Question 20

What is femoral lateral rotation?

Answer 20

When the femurs are rotated laterally around their long axis. Patella’s will aim away from the midline when the leg as are in a neutral position.

• Strengthen the femoral medial rotators and stretch the lateral rotators.

Question 21

What is winging scapula?

Answer 21

When the scapula lifts away from the ribcage

• strengthen the capsular stabilizers and thoracic extensors

Question 22

What is elevated scapula?

Answer 22

When the scapulae are lifted up toward the ears

• strengthen the scapular depressors in their inner range
• improve coordination of scapulohumeral rhythm in upward rotation

Question 23

What is upper crossed syndrome?

Answer 23

“Tech Neck”
Forward head and rounded shoulders

• stretch the chest in a variety of angles, strengthen the scapular stabilizers and depressors. Strengthen the upper back extensors.