Postural Assessment Flashcards
Posture
Is the positioning and alignment of the skeleton and associated soft tissues in relation to gravity, the bodys center of mass, and the bodys base of support
What does a standard posture look like
- bones of the lower extremeities are in ideal alignment for weight bearing
- neutral position of pelvis is conducive to good alignment of the abdomen and trunk
- chest and upper back are in a position that favours optimal respiratory organs
- head is erect in a well balanced position that minimizes stress on the neck musculature
correct posture
position in which minimum stress is applied to each jt
Faulty posture
Abnormal jt alignment or deformity within a bone
Name 3 reasons to assess posture
- Gives important information about soft tissue
- Poor posture can give rise to pain
- Increase effectiveness of treatments
What are some factors affecting posture
- Structural factors (leg length discrepency, hemipelvis)
- Ligamentous laxity
- Muscular tightness or weakness
- Fascial restriction/tightness
- Jt position and mobility
- Excess weight
- Postural habits (occupational, sports)
- Pain (antalgic postures can also become habitual)
- Pathology (scolosis, neurological, respiratory)
Pointers and Process:
Look for ____ ____
Gross abnormalities, small differences are not likely to be clinically significant
Compare BL
Note the symmetry of body contours and mm bulk throughout the body
Note findings that indicate further assessment
Landmarks of head and neck (anterior view)
- orientation with the end of the nose with the manubrium, xiphoid process & umbilicus
- Vertical alignment of the head (is there a tilt or rotation)
- Level of the eyes
- Vertical alignment of the jaw
- Contours of the trapezius muscle
Landmarks of upper extremeties (anterior view)
- Carrying angle of elbows (5-15 degrees)
- Level of hands (asymmetrical shoulders?)
- Direction of palms (humeral rotation)
Trunk (anterior view)
- Trunk in vertical alignment: note asymmetry of skin folds or distance of arms from trunk
- Level of acromiclavicular jts
- Level and length of clavicles
- Sternum and costocartilage aligned: Note superior, inferior, or lateral deviation
- Ribs aligned and symmetrical billaterally
- Difference in weight bearing on the lower extremities reflected by the position of the trunk over extremities
Lower extremeties and pelvis (anterior view)
- Level of the ASIS
- Torsion (twisting or turning) of the tibia and femurs
- Orientation of the knees (varus or valgus)
- Fibular heads (levels)
- Lateral & Medial malleoli
- Foot angle (10 degrees of ext. rotation normal)
- Orientation of arches (protonated/supinated/planus/cavus)- compare with usual posture and corrected posture, if they wear orthotics may want to assess with shoes on
Lateral View: Ideally the following structures should be in line with each other
- Ear lobe
- Bodies of cervical vertebrae
- Acromion process
- Lumbar vertebrae
- High point of iliac crest
- Hip jt
- Anterior knee jt
- Anterior ankle jt
Lateral view, other things to look for
Position of the GH jt
Position of sternum (Prominent or depressed)
Tilt of pelvis (30 degree -PSIS slightly higher than ASIS)
Knees (recurvatum- to bend backwards, or excessive flexion)
Posterior view landmarks:
Head & neck
Vertical alignment of the head upper extremities
What to look for in the Upper extremities (posterior view)
Level of shoulders
