Lower Extremity Lecture Questions Flashcards
What are the lower limb borderlines?
-Iliac crest separates LL from posterior abdominal walls
-PSIS separates the LL from the muscles of the back
-Sacrotuberous ligament separates the LL from the perineum
-Inguinal ligament separates the LL from the anterior abdominal wall
What are the major areas of transition in the lower limb?
-Femoral triangle
-Popliteal fossa
-Tarsal tunnel
What are the 4 major entry and exit points between the lower limb, abdomen, pelvis, and perineum?
-The gap between the inguinal ligament and pelvic bone
-The greater sciatic foramen
-The obturator canal
-The lesser sciatic foramen
What is the communication between the LL and the pelvis?
-Obturator canal
-Greater sciatic foramen
-Lesser sciatic foramen
What is the communication between the LL and abdomen?
Gap between inguinal ligament and pelvis
False pelvis
-Superior region
-Technically part of the abdomen
True pelvis
-Lesser pelvis
-Inferior region
-Sacrum & coccyx
Pelvic wall
-Bones: pelvic bones
-Muscles: obturator internus and piriformis
-Ligaments: sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments which connect each pelvic bone to the sacrum and coccyx and conver the two notches on the pelvic bones to the greater and lesser sciatic foramens
Female vs male pelvis
Females
-Pelvic inlet is more circular
-Ischial spine does not project as far medially in order for babies to come through
-Angle formed by the pubic arch is larger (80-85 degrees)
Males
-Pelvic inlet is heart shaped
-Ischial spine projects more into the pelvic cavity
-Angle formed by the pubic arch is smaller (50-60 degrees)
What are the 3 major apertures in the pelvic wall?
-Obturator canal
-Greater sciatic foramen
-Lesser sciatic foramen
What are the nerves in the gluteal region?
-Superior gluteal nerve
-Sciatic nerve
-Nerve to quadratus femoris
-Posterior femoral cutaneous
-Pudendal nerve
-Inferior gluteal nerve
What is a positive trendelenburg sign? What causes it?
-Hip drop on one side
-When the gluteus medius and minimus are inactive or weak due to an injury of the superior gluteal nerve
What is piriformis syndrome? What are the symptoms? What are the most common causes of it?
-When the piriformis muscle is tight and compresses the sciatic nerve
-Symptoms are pain, tingling, or numbness. Pain can extend all the way down the length of the sciatic
-Most commonly caused by prolonged sitting and running
What is the normal angle between the neck and shaft of the femur? What is it in kids?
-Normal is 125 degrees
-In kids it is normal to be 140 degrees (coxa valga)
What is coxa valga?
When the angle between the neck and shaft of the femur is greater than 140 degrees
What is coxa vara?
When the angle between the neck and shaft of the femur is less than 120 degrees
What is the ligamentum teres? What artery does it carry?
It is a flat band of connective tissue that attaches to the fovea of the femur and the acetabulum. It carries a branch of the obturator artery
What is the main blood supply of the hip?
Medial and lateral circumflex arteries of the femur
What is hemiarthroplasty?
When the head of the femur is replaced but the acetabular component is not
What is a total hip replacement?
When both the head of the femur and the acetabular component of the hip are replaced
What are the three capsular ligaments of the hip?
-Iliofemoral
-Ischiofemoral
-Pubofemoral
What is hip open-packed position?
-Flexion to 30 degrees
-Abduction to 30 degrees
-Slight external rotation
What movement does the iliofemoral ligament limit?
It limits hyperextension and external rotation
What movement does the pubofemoral ligament limit?
It limits hyperextension and abduction
What movement does the ischiofemoral ligament limit?
It limits hyperextension and internal rotation
What are the 3 compartments of the thigh?
-Anterior
-Medial
-Posterior
What do the anterior thigh compartment muscles do?
-Flex the thigh
-Extend the leg
What do the posterior thigh compartment muscles do?
-Extend the thigh
-Flex the leg
What do the medial thigh compartment muscles do?
-Adduct the thigh
What is the innervation to the anterior compartment of the thigh?
Femoral nerve (L2-L4)
What is the innervation to the medial compartment of the thigh?
Obturator nerve (L2-L4)
What is the innervation to the posterior compartment of the thigh?
Sciatic nerve (L4-S2)
What major structures go through the femoral triangle?
-Femoral nerve
-Femoral artery
-Femoral vein
-Lymphatic vessels
What are the boundaries of the femoral triangle?
-Base: inguinal ligament
-Medial: medial margin of the adductor longus
-Lateral: medial margin of the sartorius
-Floor: pectineus and adductor longus in the medial compartment & laterally by iliopsoas
-Apex: popliteal fossa
What muscles make up the anterior compartment of the thigh?
-Iliopsoas
-Rectus femoris
-Vastus lateralis
-Vastus medialis
-Vastus intermedius
What is a major role of the iliopsoas?
-Maintaining uprightposture
-Stronger contraction when walking or running up hill
What is the purpose of the patello-femoral joint?
It helps the quadriceps contract and helps them produce more force without placing wear and tear on the tendon
Which condyle of the femur extends more anteriorly? Which one posteriorly?
-The lateral femoral condyle extends more anteriorly
-The medial femoral condyle extends more posteriorly
What different types of intercondylar notches are there? Which one puts you at higher risk for ACL or PCL tear/injury?
-Type A
-Type U
-Type W
-Type A puts you at much higher risk for ACL or PCL injuries
Do the menisci get a lot of blood supply?
No, there is not much blood supply, so they don’t heal very well and typically need surgery
Which tibial plateau is larger than the other?
The medial tibial plateau is larger and more oval since the medial condyle of the femur is larger and more oval shaped than the lateral condyle
What is a major difference between the medial and lateral meniscus?
-The medial meniscus is attached to the MCL and the joint capsule
-The lateral meniscus is not attached to the LCL or the joint capsule so it is more mobile and less likely to be torn
What is the purpose of the menisci?
The menisci provide shock absorption and also help to spread synovial fluid
What happens to the pressure forces of the femur on the tibia when someone has a meniscectomy?
-When there is a meniscus, pressure forces are distributed across the whole tibia
-When someone has a meniscectomy, the area of pressure decreases, and more pressure is placed in the center of the tibia and not so much on the outsides