Unit 3: Biomechanics of the Lower Limb Flashcards
What are the 2 functions of the joints of the lower limb?
Movement
Weight bearing
What type of joint is the hip joint?
Ball-and-socket shaped synovial joint
What are the movements of the hip joint?
Flexion/extension
Abduction/adduction
Internal/external rottion
Circumduction
Describe the structure of a synovial joint
Covered in articular cartilage
Enclosed in a sleeve of tough fibrous tissue (joint capsule) which forms the synovial cavity.
Synovial cavity is filled with synovial fluid.
Synovial fluid is produced by the synovial membrane which lines the inner surface of the capsule
Why is the hip joint intrinsically stable?
Surrounded by a very strong articular joint capsule and several ligament. These are the surrounded by several large, strong muscles. This along with the ball-and-socket shape make the joint very stable
In which plane is the range of motion greatest in the ip?
Sagittal plane (flexion & extension)
What is the range of flexion of the hip?
140 degrees
What is the range of extension of the hip?
20 degrees
What is the range of abduction of the hip?
30 degrees
What is the range of adduction of the hip?
25 degrees
In which plane to internal & external rotation occur?
Transverse plane
What is the range of external rotation of the hip when it is flexed at 90 degrees?
90 degrees
What is the range of internal rotation of the hip when it is flexed at 90 degrees?
70 degrees
Why is there less internal and external rotation possible when the hip is extended?
Restrictions of soft tissues
What degree of movement is required of the hip for normal daily activities?
120 - flexion/extension
20 - abduction/adduction
20 - rotation
What is the motion in the sagittal plane of the hip when walking?
30 flex to 15 extension
Which muscles are active at the hip joint during bilateral stance?
Normally no muscles active
What percentage of body weight does the upper body (head, arms & trunk) make up?
70%
Which muscle group is used to stabilise the body in unilateral stance?
Abductor muscles
What are the 4 forces involved in calculating the hip joint force during unilateral stance?
Weight of lower limb
Abductor muscle force
Joint force at hip
Ground reaction force
Where is the insertion point of the abductor muscles?
Greater trochanter of the femur
What are the 2 articulations of the knee joint?
Tibiofemoral
Patellofemoral
What are the menisci of the knee?
2 crescent shaped pieces of fibrocartillage that are attached to the tibia by short tough ligaments
What is the purpose of menisci in the knee?
Make the flat top of the tibia slightly concave which aids stability. Also act as load distributors and shock absorbers
What is the trochlea?
Smooth anterior depression between the femoral condyles
What is the intercondylar notch?
Deep posterior depression between the femoral condyles that the cruciate ligaments are lodged in
What is the largest sesamoid bone in the body?
Patella
Where is the patella located?
In the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle
Does the fibula form part of the knee joint?
No (but does act as anchor for biceps femoris muscle and lateral collateral ligament )
How do the cruciate ligaments aid stability in the knee?
Limit forward and backward sliding of the femur on the tibia & limit hyperextension
How do the collateral ligaments aid knee joint stability?
Prevent abduction & adduction
How does the tibia rotate as the knee moves?
Knee flexes - tibia rotates internally
Knee extends - tibia rotates externally