Posture Assessment

PHT 1261C Tests and Measurements

Dr. Kane

Posture Assessment Strength and length of muscles must be

balanced Based on force couple principles Must be addressed, esp. in head, trunk, shoulders,

and pelvis Alterations in strength &/or length create postural

faults Stretch weakness

Muscles that develop their maximum force in the elongated or stretched position & are weak in normal physiological position

Static and Dynamic Assessment Reference Line or Gravity Line or Plumb Line

Factors that Affect Posture Assessment Subject minimally clothed with no socks/shoes Have patient assume relaxed & natural

posture If use orthosis or AD, assess posture with and

without the device Use instruments to make it valid Note relevant medical history Note UE limb dominance – usually lower on

that side

Standing Posture – Plumb Line Position Lateral - Perform on both sides to pick up

rotational abnormalities Head – through ear lobe to acromion process Trunk – midline Hip – through greater trochanter Knee – anterior to midline, posterior to patella Ankle – anterior to lateral malleolus

Anterior/Posterior Divides body into two equal halves

Lateral View – Postural Faults Head and Neck

Forward head Flattened Lordotic Cervical Curve Excessive Lordotic Cervical Curve

Shoulder Forward Shoulders Lumbar Lordosis

Thoracic Spine Kyphosis Pectus Excavatum (Funnel Chest) Barrel Chest Pectus Cavinatum (Pigeon Chest)

Lateral View – Postural Faults - continued Lumbar Vertebrae

Increased lordosis Sway Back Flat Back

Pelvis and Hip Anterior Pelvic Tilt Posterior Pelvic Tilt

Knee Genu Recurvatum Flexed Knee

Ankle Forward Posture/BW on met heads

Posterior View – Postural Faults Head and Neck

Head Tilt Head Rotated

Shoulder and Scapula Dropped Shoulder Shoulder elevated Shoulder Medial Rotation (IR) Scapula Adducted Scapula Abducted Winging Scapula

Trunk Scoliosis

Posterior View – Postural Faults (cont.) Pelvis and Hip

Lateral pelvic tilt Pelvic rotation Hip abducted/Coxa Valga Hip Adducted/Coxa Vara

Knee Genu Varum Genu Valgum

Ankle/Foot Pes Planus (pronated) Pes Cavus (supinated)

Anterior View – Postural Faults Head and Neck

Lateral tilt Mandibular Asymmetry

Shoulders Shoulder Dropped Shoulder Elevated Clavicle/SC Joint Asymmetry

Elbows Cubitus Valgus Cubitus Varus

Hip Medial Rotation Lateral Rotation

Anterior View – Postural Faults (cont.) Knee

External Tibial Torsion Internal Tibial Torsion

Ankle and Foot Hallux Valgus Claw Toes Hammer Toes