Lower Extremity Kinetic Chain

Question 1

Is the lower extremity kinetic chain open or closed?

Answer 1

Closed kinetic chain

Question 2

In most four-legged animals, the front limbs ___ while the rear limbs ___.

Answer 2

front limbs absorb shock while the rear limbs provide most propulsion

Question 3

In most two-legged animals that use two limbs for ambulation (birds, marsupials, etc.), energy is loaded into the ___ by hopping.

Answer 3

rear limbs

Question 4

What makes the human LE kinetic chain different from that of other two-legged and four-legged animals?

Answer 4

Human’s lower extremity must be supple enough to absorb shock and rigid enough for propulsive forces

Question 5

If the sacrum nutates anterior on the support side, what is the next structure in the kinetic chain and its reaction?

Answer 5

Body rotation of L5 towards support side

Question 6

If the femur drops S-I, the pelvis ___ as a reaction.

Answer 6

tips posterior-inferior

Question 7

If the medial arch in the foot has dropped, the femur ___.

Answer 7

drops S-I

Question 8

Internal rotation of femur and tibia causes ___ and a slight ___ at the knee.

Answer 8

causes genu recurvatum and a slight valgus stress at the knee

Question 9

___ of femur and tibia causes genu recurvatum and a slight valgus stress at the knee.

Answer 9

Internal rotation

Question 10

What is the terminology if the head of the talus drops down, anterior, and medial?

Answer 10

Pathologic pronation

Question 11

What bony changes have occurred if there is pathologic pronation?

Answer 11

Head of talus drops down, anterior, and medial

Question 12

What is the largest joint in the body?

Answer 12

Knee

Question 13

If torsion of the tibia on the femur has compressed the medial meniscus, which ligament(s) will be most stressed?

Answer 13

• Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
• Coronary ligament(s)

Question 14

When we walk, our knees support ___ our body weight.

Answer 14

1.5x

Question 15

When we climb stairs, our knees support about ___ our body weight.

Answer 15

3-4x

Question 16

When we squat, our knees support about ___ our body weight.

Answer 16

8x

Question 17

The majority of the weight supported by the knee is focused on the ___ side, which is where DJD will most often begin in the knee.

Answer 17

medial

Question 18

What is one explanation for medial knee pain related to the kinetic chain?

Answer 18

Pathologic pronation

when the feet hit the floor, everything changes

Question 19

Mechanoreceptors from many parts of the body send proprioceptive input to the cerebellum via ___-lateral ___ tracts.

Answer 19

ipsilateral spinocerebellar tracts

Question 20

Mechanoreceptors send proprioceptive input to the cerebellum.
The cerebellum will then send “corrective” information to the ___ spinal muscles.

Answer 20

intrinsic (non-volitional)

Question 21

What are the four anatomical structures with the highest concentration of proprioceptive input?

Answer 21

1. Subtalar joint
2. Sacroiliac joints
3. Upper cervical joints
4. TMJ

Question 22

What are the three principle concepts of the lower extremity?

Answer 22

1. The subtalar joint
2. Pathologic pronation
3. The closed kinetic chain