Kinesiology of lower limb
Hip movement
SESSION 4
Dr Atefeh Aboutorabi
Ph.D Orthotics and Prosthetics
Assistant Prof., Department of Prosthetics & Orthotics,
University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences
Limitations of hip Movements
When the knee is flexed, hip flexion is limited by the
anterior surface of the thigh coming in contact with the
anterior abdominal wall
When the knee is extended, hip flexion is limited by the
tension of the hamstring muscles
Abduction is limited by the tension of
the pubofemoral and lower band of Iliofemoral
Limitations of hip Movements
Hip Adduction is limited by contact with the
opposite limb and by the tension of the ligament of
the head of the femur and illiofemural (upper band)
Lateral rotation is limited by the tension in the
iliofemoral and pubofemoral ligaments
Medial rotation is limited by the ischiofemoral
ligament
Active Insufficiency
versus passive insufficiency
The active insufficiency of a muscle that crosses two or more joints
occurs when the muscle produces simultaneous movement at all the
joints it crosses and reaches such a shortened position that it no longer
has the ability to develop effective tension
For example :The shortening of the Rectus femoris limits full hip flexion
when the knee is fully extended.
When the opposing muscle (antagonist) is stretched to a point where it
can no longer lengthen and allow further movement, passive
insufficiency is reached. Passive insufficiency occurs when a multi-joint
muscle is lengthened to its fullest extent at both joints, but also
preventing the full range of motion of each joint it crosses.
Muscles that assist Movements
Flexion: It is performed by the iliopsoas, rectus
femoris, sartorius, also by adductor muscles
Muscles that assist Movements
Extension: it is performed by the gluteus maximus
and the hamstring muscles
Muscles that assist Movements
Abduction: It is performed by the gluteus medius
and minimus, assisted by sartorius, tensor fasciae
latae, and piriformis
Muscles that assist Movements
Adduction: It is performed by the adductor longus and brevis
and the adductor fibers of the adductor magnus
Muscles that assist Movements
Lateral rotation: It is performed by the piriformis, obturator
internus and externus
Medial rotation: It is performed by the anterior fibers of gluteus
medius and gluteus minimus and the tensor fasciae latae
Pelvic Girdle Movements
Anterior pelvic tilt
Sagittal plane
Hip flexion
ASIS anteriorly & inferiorly
Pelvic Girdle Movements
Posterior pelvic rotation/tilt:
Sagittal plane
Iliac crest tilts backward
Hip extension
Symphisis pubis up
Pelvic Girdle Movements
transverse pelvic rotation:
Occurs in single-limb support around axis
of supporting hip jt.
Forward rotation
Sideopposite supporting hip moves
anteriorly
Backward rotation
Sideopposite supporting hip moves
posteriorly
Lateral Tilt
tilting of the pelvis from
neutral position to the right
or left
lateral tilt tends to occur
naturally when you support
your weight on your leg
this allows you raise your
opposite leg enough to
swing through during gait
Pelvic Girdle Movements
lateral pelvic tilt:
Frontal plane
One hip joint serves as pivot/axis
Opposite iliac crest elevates (hip hike) or drop
(pelvic drop)
Reference is side farthest from supporting hip
Pelvic
Rotation
rotation of the pelvis defined
by the direction in which the
anterior aspect of the pelvis
moves
occurs naturally during
unilateral leg movements
(walking)
as the right leg swings forward during gait the
pelvis rotates left
Open and Closed chains of the hip joint
Lumbar-Pelvic Rhythm
Open-chain (aims to increase ROM than might be available to one segment)
E.g. reaching the floor
Hip flexion up to 900 only
Anterior tilt of pelvis on femurs
Flexion of lumbar spine adds 450
E.g. side-lying abduction
Lateral tilt of pelvis & lumbar spine adds 450
Closed chain response to motions of pelvis
Keeps one or both feet on the ground
Maintain head upright & vertical
Anterior pelvic tilt during hip flexion = head & trunk displaced forward + lumbar extension
Posterior pelvic tilt + lumbar flexion to keep head forward over sacrum
Trunk flexion
A) normal rhythm B) limited hip flexion C) limited lumber flexion.
Trunk extension
A) Early phase by extension hip B) Middle phase occurs by extension of lumbar spine C)
In last phase the muscle activity reduced.
compensatory
pelvic motion co-hip motion lumbar
anterior tilt hip flex lumbar ext
posterior tilt hip ext lumbar flex
lateral tilt (drop) right hip add right lateral flex
lateral tilt (hike) right hip abd left lateral flex
forward rot right hip IR rotation to left
backward rot right hip ER rotation to right
Relationship of Hip and Pelvic Motion in
Sagittal Plane
Lateral Pelvic Tilt – Frontal Plane
