Module 1 ~ Posture and Gait

Plumb Line

Plumb Line

Imaginary straight line from the top of the head to the floor to observe alignment of the body

Acromion Process

Origin of the acromial head of deltoid muscles

Iliac Crest

Curved part at the top of the hip (wing-like part of pelvis)

Lateral Malleoulus

Bone on the outside of the fibula (ankle joint)

Lordosis

• Exaggerated lumbar curve (abdominal extend anteriorly)

• Lordosis and Cervical

Kyphosis

• Exaggerated thoracic curve (hunched back and round shoulders)

• Thoracic

Sagittal Plane

Vertical plane that passes through the body (divides into left and right sections)

Medial

Towards the middle

Lateral

Position away from midline

Valgus

Knees together going towards midline

Valrus

Knees together going away from the midline (laterally)

Anatomical Position

• Neutral spine

• Arms at sides

• Palms and feet facing forwards

Anatomical Planes

• Sagittal (flexion / extension)

• Frontal (abduction / adduction)

• Transverse (rotation)

Spinal Curves

• Lordosis / Kyphosis (sagittal plane)

• Scoliosis (frontal plane)

• Rotoscoliosis (transverse plane)

Pelvis Orientation

• Anterior (rotated forwards)

• Posterior (rotated backward)

• Neutral

Frontal Plane Angles

• Valgus (when distal segment is away from axis)

• Varus (when distal towards axis)

Base of Support

• encompassed by the “contact patch”

• Not only the area under contact

Centre of Pressure

Point on the ground where all pressure is balanced

Assessing Posture from Sagittal Plane

• Position of center of pressure

• Orientation of the Pelvis

• Curvature of spines (L, T, C)

• Distance from joint center to ear (ankle, knee, hip, shoulder)

Assessing Posture from Frontal Plane

• Position of center of pressure

• Orientation of pelvis

• Lateral curvature of spine

• Knee valgus angle

• Rearfoot valgus angle

• Distance to nose (feet, pelvis, chest, chin)

Assessing Posture from Transverse Plane

• Angle between scapula and rib cage

• Twisting of spine

Arm Motion

• Elbow flexion angle

• Position in relation to midline

• Right / Left symmetry

Trunk and Spine Motion

Sagittal and frontal view of trunk position and spine curvature

Stance Knee Motion

• Flexion angle at initial ground contact

• Front place position with respect to hip and foot

Stance Ankle Motion

• Flexion angle at initial ground contact

• Plantar flexion angle at toe off

Stance Foot-Floor Contact

• Point of initial ground contact (heel / toe)

• Placement of foot in relation to mid-line and CoM

Swing Knee Motion

Maximum knee flexion angle and vertical orientation of foot

Assessing Gait with Upper Body (8)

1. Orientation of head

2. Elbow flexion angle

3. Curvature of spine (T and L)

4. Orientation of pelvis

5. Position of shoulders

6. Lateral bend of trunk

7. Position of arms in front

8. Orientation of the hands

Assessing Gait with Lower Body STANCE (9)

1. Knee flexion angle at contact

2. Ankle dorsiflexion at contact

3. Ankle plantarflexion at Toe-Off

4. Position of Foot-Floor Contact

5. Height of the pelvis

6. Position of knee in frontal plane

7. Rearfoot eversion angle

8. Position of foot mid-line

9. Supination angle at contact

Assessing Gait with Lower Body SWING (2)

1. Knee flexion angle

2. Orientation of foot in swing