Joint Biomechanics - Lower Limb Q&A

Question 1

What forms the tenon of the talocrural mortise joint?

Answer 1

Talus (the key)

Question 2

Name the plane and axis for the subtalar inversion and

eversion

Answer 2

Diagonal plane, oblique axis

Question 3

In open kinetic chain plantar- and dorsiflexion is the moving surface concave or convex?

Answer 3

Convex

Question 4

Which ligaments control end of range plantarflexion?

Answer 4

Anterior tibiotalar ligament

Anterior talofibular ligament

Question 5

What is the name of this mechanism in the foot? (triangular arch of the foot)

Answer 5

Windlass mechanism

Question 6

Which combination of movements produce pronation?

Answer 6

Eversion, Dorsiflexion, Foot abduction

Question 7

What type of joint is the talocalcaneonavicular joint?

Answer 7

Synovial ball and socket joint

Question 8

Which muscles are synergists to ankle dorsiflexion?

Answer 8

Extensor Digitorum Longus

Extensor Hallucis Longus

Question 9

Which muscles are agonists for subtalar inversion?

Answer 9

Tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior

Question 10

Why is the ankle (talocrural) joint less stable in

plantarflexion?

Answer 10

Talus is narrower posteriorly and wider anteriorly. The narrower posterior part of the trochlea of the talus moves forward into the broader part of the tibiofibular mortise, making it less stable.

Question 11

Which bones articulate with the three cuneiforms?

Answer 11

1st to 3rd MT (with 1st to 3rd cuneiform)
Navicular (with all)
Cuboid (with 3rd cuneiform)

Question 12

To which two bones is the bifurcate ligament attached

(Other than its origin on the calcaneus)?

Answer 12

Navicular and cuboid

Question 13

Around which plane and axis does the transverse tarsal

joint produce inversion and eversion?

Answer 13

Frontal plane, antero-posterior axis

Question 14

Which are the agonists for IP joint flexion?

Answer 14

Flexor digitorum longus (toes 2-5) and flexor hallucis

longus (1st toe)

Question 15

Which biomechanical abnormality presents with the

knees touching and the feet apart (knock-kneed)?

Answer 15

Genu valgus

Question 16

In what position is rotation possible at the knee?

Answer 16

Knee flexion

Question 17

Which muscle(s) can produce internal tibia rotation?

Answer 17

Agonist muscles: Semitendinosus and semimembranosus

Synergist muscles: Gracilis and Sartorius

Question 18

What is the maximal range of knee flexion and in what position does it occur?

Answer 18

160° in hip extension.

Question 19

When moving from extension into flexion, in which

direction do the menisci move?

Answer 19

Posteriorly

Question 20

Name the facets on the patellar surface of the

patellofemoral joint

Answer 20

Medial and lateral facets.

Question 21

What are the two different types of exercises (in terms of weight bearing) used commonly for the rehabilitation of anterior knee joint pain?

Answer 21

NON-WEIGHT-BEARING (OKC)

WEIGHT-BEARING (CKC)

Question 22

What are the functions of the medial and lateral menisci?

Answer 22

• Joint stability
• Shock absorption
• Load distribution across the joint
• Joint lubrication

Question 23

What are the origin and insertion of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament?

Answer 23

Origin: Anterior intercondylar area of the tibia
Insertion: Posterior and medial surface of the lateral
condyle of the femur

Question 24

Which cruciate ligament is taut with more of its fibers in

extension, and which is taut more in flexion?

Answer 24

ACL taut in extension

PCL taut in flexion

Question 25

What are the insertions of the medial collateral

ligament?

Answer 25

Origin: Medial femoral condyle
Insertion: Medial tibial condyle + medial meniscus,
medial surface of the capsule and tibial shaft

Question 26

Which force (direction of movement) will injure the
lateral collateral ligament?

Answer 26

Varus

Question 27

Will a greater or lesser sulcus angle predispose a

patient to patella dislocation?

Answer 27

Greater

Question 28

What is the normal range of q-angle for

a female?

Answer 28

15-17°

Question 29

What does the angle of Wiberg represent?

Answer 29

Inferior tilt of acetabulum

Question 30

Which extra capsular ligament is the strongest and where is it situated?

Answer 30

Iliofemroal ligament
Origin: AIIS, acetabular limbus
Insertion: Intertrochanteric line

Question 31

Which direction is the glide in open chain abduction?

Answer 31

Convex femoral head gliding on concave acetabulum.

Inferior.

Question 32

Around which plane and axis do anterior and posterior

pelvic tilting occur?

Answer 32

Sagittal plane, transverse axis

Question 33

What limits the range of hip adduction?

Answer 33

Limited by the opposite limb, tension in the abductors

and iliofemoral ligaments

Question 34

Which are the agonists for hip flexion?

Answer 34

iliopsoas, sartorius, tensor fasciae latae, rectus

femoris, adductor longus, pectineus

Question 35

Name this ligament and its origin and insertions: (the posterior ligament)

Answer 35

Ischiofemoral
Origin: Ischium
Insertion: Greater trochanter

Question 36

What can be an indication of femoral retroversion (looking at position of foot)?

Answer 36

External rotation at foot

Question 37

What is coxa valga?

Answer 37

Pathologic increase in the angle of inclination of the femur.

Question 38

What is the name of this angle in the hip? (neck to shaft)

Answer 38

Angle of inclination

Question 39

What is the angle of torsion in the hip?

Answer 39

Degree of torsion of neck of femur from femoral condyles, normal is anterior.

Question 40

What happens to the extra-capsular ligaments in hip

flexion?

Answer 40

All 3 ligaments are relaxed

Question 41

What are the synergists to hip flexion?

Answer 41

Adductor brevis, gracilis and gluteus minimus (anterior

fibers)

Question 42

Around what plane and axis does pelvic rotation occur?

Answer 42

Horizontal plane, longitudinal axis

Question 43

What are the antagonists of hip internal rotation?

Answer 43

obturator internus, quadratus femoris, gemellus

superior + inferior and gluteus maximus (inferior fibers)