Posture Assessment

Question 1

correct posture is the…

Answer 1

alignment of the body for maximal physiological and biomechanical efficiency
correct posture minimizes stresses and strains imparted to the supporting system by effect of gravity

Question 2

gravity line

• other names
• where is the ideal position of the line and why

Answer 2

aka plumb or reference line
passes through axes of all joints w/ the body segments aligned (never happens)
having the gravitational force pass through the center of the joint axes assists in balancing muscle, ligament, and other soft-tissue structures acting about each joint

Question 3

which joints are the most important to have muscular and mechanical balance at?

Answer 3

head
trunk
shoulders
pelvic girdle

Question 4

from what perspectives do you observe posture?

Answer 4

anterior
posterior
lateral

Question 5

when is the posture analysis performed

Answer 5

after the history and systems review

Question 6

in the lateral view, ideal posture of

-head and neck

Answer 6

plumb line falls through ear lobe to acromion process

Question 7

in the lateral view, ideal posture of

-shoulder

Answer 7

plumb line falls through acromion process

Question 8

in the lateral view, ideal posture of

-thoracic vertebra

Answer 8

plumb line bisects the chest symmetrically

Question 9

in the lateral view, ideal posture of

-lumbar vertebra

Answer 9

plumb line falls midway between abdomen, back, and slightly anterior to SI joint

Question 10

in the lateral view, ideal posture of

-pelvis and hip

Answer 10

plumb line falls anterior to SI joint and posterior to hip joint through greater trochanter

Question 11

in the lateral view, ideal posture of

-knee

Answer 11

plumb line passes slightly anterior to midline of knee joint

Question 12

in the lateral view, ideal posture of

-ankle

Answer 12

plumb line passes just anterior to lateral malleolus

Question 13

posterior views are pretty simple

Answer 13

review pdf

Question 14

in the anterior view, what are you assessing in the UE?

-what is normal?

Answer 14

carrying angle of elbow
normal values
-men: 5-10 degrees
-women: 10-15

Question 15

in the anterior view, what are you asseessing in the LE?

-what is normal?

Answer 15

ASIS are level
patellar alignment
-straight, inward, outward
angle of toeing out
-5-7 degrees for each foot

Question 16

lateral view postural faults, presentation, and causes at the
-head and neck

Answer 16

forward head

• head lies anterior to plumb line
• tight cervical extensor, upper trap, levator scapulae
• elongated cervical flexors

Question 17

lateral view postural faults, presentation, and causes at the
-shoulder

Answer 17

rounded (forward) shoulders
-acromion process lies anterior to plumb line
-scapulae abducted
causes
-tight pectoralis major, pec minor, and serratus anterior
-weakness of thoracic extensors, middle trap, and rhomboid

Question 18

lateral view postural faults, presentation, and causes at the
-thoracic spine and chest

Answer 18

kyphosis
-increased posterior convexity of vertebrae
causes
-lengthened thoracic extnesors, middle and lower traps, posterior ligaments
-tightness of anterior longitudinal ligament and anterior chest muscles
barrel chest
-increased overally anteroposterior diameter of rib cage

Question 19

lateral view postural faults, presentation, and causes at the
-lumbar region

Answer 19

lordosis
-hyperextension of the lumbar vertebrae - anterior pelvic tilt
causes
-tightness of hip flexor and low back extensor muscles and posterior longitudinal ligament
-lengthened and weak lower abdominal muscles
flat back - posterior pelvic tilt
-flattening (loss of normal lordosis) of lumbar spine
causes
-tightness of hamstring muscles
-weakness of hip flexor muscles

Question 20

lateral view postural faults, presentation, and causes at the
-pelvis and hip

Answer 20

anterior pelvic tilt
causes
-increased lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis
tightness of hip flexors
lengthened abdominal muscles
posterior pelvic tilt
causes
-tightness of hamstring muscles
-lengthened hip flexor and lower abdominal muscles

Question 21

lateral view postural faults, presentation, and causes at the
-knee

Answer 21

genu recurvatum
-hyperextension of the knee
causes
-tightness of quadriceps and calf muscles
-lengthened posterior capsule

Question 22

posterior view postural faults, presentation, and causes at the
-head and neck

Answer 22

head tilt
-patient’s head lies more to one side of the plumb line
causes
-tightness of lateral neck flexors on one side
head rotated
-head is rotated to the left or right of the plumb line
causes
-tightness of SCM, upper trap, and scalene muscles

Question 23

posterior view postural faults of the

-shoulder and scapula

Answer 23

dropped shoulder
abducted scapula
winging of scapula

Question 24

dropped shoulder appearance and causes

Answer 24

one shoulder lower than the other
causes
-tightness of rhomboid and lat
-hand dominance (dominant side may be lower)

Question 25

abducted scapula appearance and causes

Answer 25

scapula too far away from midline
causes
-tightness of serratus anterior
-lengthened rhomboid and middle trap

Question 26

winging scapula appearance and causes

Answer 26

medial border of scapula lifted off the ribs
causes
-weakness of serratus anterior

Question 27

posterior view postural faults at the

-thoracic and lumbar regions

Answer 27

scoliosis
lateral pelvic drop or tilt
pelvic rotation

Question 28

scoliosis

-what is it

Answer 28

can occur as a C-shaped lateral curvature with vertebral rotation presenting as either a thoracic, thoracolumbar, or lumbar curve
can develop into an S-shaped curve that affects both the thoracic and lumbar regions

Question 29

lateral pelvic drop appearance and causes

Answer 29

one side of pelvis is higher than the other side
causes
-scoliosis
-leg length discrepancy
-shortening of contralateral QL

Question 30

pelvic rotation appearance and causes

Answer 30

plumb line falls to the right or left of the gluteal cleft
causes
-tightness of medial rotators and hip flexor muscles on the rotated side

Question 31

posterior view postural faults, presentation, and causes at the
-knee

Answer 31

genu varum
-distal segment of leg deviated inward toward midline in relation to proximal segment
causes
-coxa valga
-structural changes in alignment of femoral condyles/tibial plateau
genu valgum
-distal segment of leg deviates outward away from midline in relation to proximal segment
causes
-coxa varum
-structural changes in alignment of femoral condyles/tibial plateau

Question 32

posterior view postural faults and presentation at the

-foot and ankle

Answer 32

pes planus
-calcaneal eversion
-midfoot width increase
-lowering of the medial longitudinal arch
pes cavus
-calcaneal inversion
-midfoot width decrease
-elevation of the medial longitudinal arch