Degrees of Freedom and Planes of Motion APK3220c

Sagittal plane

Axis: mediolateral

Movements: flexion/extension, dorsiflexion/plantarflexion, protraction/retraction, posterior/anterior roll

Transverse/horizontal plane

Axis: inferosuperior

Movements: internal/external rotation, supination/pronation, left/right rotation

Frontal/coronal plane

Axis: anteroposterior

Movements: abduction/adduction, elevation/depression, inversion/eversion, radial/ulnar deviation

Multiplanar

Axis: Oblique

Movements: circumduction

Ball and socket

3 rotational DOF

Hinge

1 rotational DOF

Pivot

1 rotational DOF

Saddle

2 rotational DOF

Condyloid

2 rotational DOF

Gliding

2 translation DOF

Hip/Coxofemoral/Femoracetabular

Joint: Synovial

Mechanical Representation: Ball and socket

# of DOF: 3

Rotational:

1) flex/extension

2) int/external rotation

3) abd/adduction

Can also do circumduction and horizontal abd/adduction

Notes: Hip is a relatively stable from a bony structure standpoint, as compared to the shoulder

Knee/tibiofemoral joint

Joint: Synovial

Mechanical Representation: Modified hinge/double condyloid (ellipsoid)

# of DOF: 2 main, 2 lesser

Rotational:

1) flex/extension (largest)

2) int/external rotation (2nd largest)

3) abd/adduction (min ROM)

Translational:

1) Anterior/posterior

Notes: Internal/external rotation can only be accessed when the knee is in a significantly flexed position. This DoF does not exist when the knee is extended

Ankle/talocrural joint

Joint: Synovial

Mechanical Representation: hinge

# of DOF: 1

Rotational:

1) plantar/dorsiflexion

- sagittal

Subtalar joint

Joint: Synovial

Mechanical Representation: Mitered hinge (axis is oblique)

# of DOF: 1

Rotational:

1) pronation (eversion)/supination (inversion) of the hind foot

Shoulder/glenohumeral joint

Joint: Synovial

Mechanical Representation: Ball and socket

# of DOF: 3

Rotational:

1) flex/extension

2) int/external rotation

3) abd/adduction

Can also do circumduction and horizontal abd/adduction

Notes: Less stable from a bony structure standpoint and higher mobility. Relies more on passive (ligaments and joint capsule) and active (muscles) soft tissue for stability.

Horizontal abduction/adduction is not a distinct DoF and does not occur from anatomical position. Most joint movements ought to be referenced back to anatomical position to understand plane and axis of motion.

Scapulothoracic joint

Joint: Treated like a synovial, but is not one as the scapula articulates

Mechanical Representation: N/A

# of DOF: 3

Rotational:

1) upward/downward rotation

Translational:

1) Protraction(abduction +lateral tilting/internal rotation)/Retraction (adduction + medial tilting/external rotation)

- about mediolateral axis

2) Elevation (+anterior tilting)/Depression (+posterior tilting)

- bc of tilt, in the inferosuperior axis

Notes: These "translational" movements imply some amount of rotation because of the curvature of the rib cage.

Upward rotation of the scapula is critical to achieve full 180 deg functional range of motion of the shoulder complex.

Sternoclavicular

Joint: synovial

Mechanical Representation: saddle

# of DOF: 3

Rotational:

1)elevation/depression

2) protraction/retraction

3) posterior/anterior roll

Notes: This "saddle" joint describes the joint surface articulation but the DoF are unexpects because typically you would expect a saddle joint to have only 2 rotational degrees of freedom whereas here there are three largely due to the incongruence of the joint. Strong joint for the transmission of force from the upper extremity to the axial skeleton.

Radioulnar (proximal) joint

Joint: synovial

Mechanical Representation: pivot

# of DOF: 1

Rotational:

1) pronation/supination

Notes: The radius mainly crosses over the ulna causing rotation about the long axis.

Elbow/humeroulnar joint

Joint: synovial

Mechanical Representation: hinge

# of DOF: 1

Rotational:

1) flexion/extension

Wrist/radiocarpal joint

Joint: synovial

Mechanical Representation: condyloid

# of DOF: 2

Rotational:

1) flexion/extension

2) radial/ulnar deviation

Notes: Radius is concave and the carpals (scaphoid and lunate) are convex.

Carpals (generic)

Joint: synovial

Mechanical Representation: gliding

# of DOF: 2

Translational:

1) Planar gliding

1st metacarpometacarpal joint (trapezium articulation with 1st metacarpal)

Joint: synovial

Mechanical Representation: saddle

# of DOF: 2

Rotational:

1) flexion/extension

2) abduction/adduction

Also does opposition (combo of other two DOF and oblique) and circumduction

2nd-5th Metacarpophalangeal joint

Joint: synovial

Mechanical Representation: condyloid

# of DOF: 2

Rotational:

1) flexion/extension

2) abduction/adduction

Can also do circumduction

Interphalangeal joints

Joint: synovial

Mechanical Representation: hinge

# of DOF: 1

Rotational:

1) flexion/extension

Lumbar interbody joints

Joint: symphyses

Mechanical Representation: N/A

# of DOF: 3

Rotational:

1) flexion/extension

2) L/R lateral flexion

3) L/R lateral rotation

Atlanto-axial joint (C1-C2)

Joint: synovial

Mechanical Representation: pivot

# of DOF: 1

Rotational:

1) L/R head rotation

Atlanto occipital joint

Joint: synovial

Mechanical Representation: double condyloid/modified hinge

# of DOF: 2

Rotational:

1) flexion/extension

2) lateral flexion and opposite L/R rotation (oblique)

Notes: The movements of the second lesser degree of freedom happen concurrently because of the obliquity of the plane of motion and axis of rotation.