TEC1 - Semester 2: Lower Extremity Flashcards
What are the functions of the LE?
- locomotion
- carry weight of entire erect body
- subject to exceptional forces
What are the components of the LE?
femur, patella, tibia & fibula, bones of foot
Describe the femur.
- largest, longest and strongest bone
- larger Q-angle in women
- articulates with acetabulum, tibia and patella
Describe the patella.
- sesamoid bone; contained within patellar ligament
- improves leverage of thigh muscles
- articulates with femur
Describe the tibia.
- receives body weight from femur and transmits it to foot
- articulates with femur, fibula (proximally and distally), interosseous membrane
Describe the fibula.
- NOT weight bearing
- increases surface for muscle attachment
- stabilizes ankle joint
- articulates with tibia, lateral talus and interosseous membrane
Describe the hip joint.
- between femur and acetabulum
- ball and socket joint
- multiaxial synovial, diarthrodial
- good ROM
Describe the knee joint (femur + tibia)
- modified hinge joint
- biaxial synovial, diarthrodial
Describe the knee joint (femur + patella)
- plane joint
- uniaxial synovial, diarthrodial
Describe the proximal tibia + fibula joint.
- plane gliding
- synovial, diarthrodial
Describe the distal tibia + fibula joint.
- fibrous
- synarthrotic
Describe the ankle joint.
- between tibia, fibula, talus
- hinge
- uniaxial synovial, diarthrodial
What does the joint stability in the lower limb depend on?
- stability in hip, knee and ankle joints
- stability of dynamic structures (muscle, tendon, fascia): ability to adjust length in response to demands
- integrity of ligaments in flexion and extension
What is the Angle of Inclination?
angle between long axis of neck of femur and shaft in frontal plane
Where is the normal angle of inclination?
115-140 degrees. usually less in women
What is Coxa Vara?
when angle is less than 115 degrees
What does coxa vara result in?
- shortening of limb
- reduction of load on femoral head
- load on femoral neck increased
Causes for coxa vara?
trauma, congenital, Paget’s disease, Perthe’s disease, osteomyelitis, osteogenesis imperfecta, tumors
What is coxa valga?
when angle is greater than 140 degrees
What does coxa valga result in?
- lengthening of limb
- reduction of load on femoral neck
- load on femoral head is increased
Causes for Coxa Valga?
skeletal disease, spasticity, cerebral palsy, spinal dystrophism, poliomyelitis
What is the angle of torsion?
angle of femoral neck in the transverse planew
what is the normal angle of torsion?
12-15 degrees
What is anteversion?
angle of torsion is >15 degrees
What happens to the femur in anteversion?
internal rotation of femur -> toes face inward
What is retroversion?
angle of torsion is <15 degrees
What happens to the femur in retroversion?
external rotation of femur -> toes out
Name the hip ligaments.
iliofemoral, pubofemoral, ischiofemoral, ligamentum teres
Describe the iliofemoral ligament.
- one of the strongest in the body
- anterior
- v-shaped
Describe the pubofemoral ligament.
- medial inferior
- blends with iliofemoral
- limits abduction and external hip rotation