Biomechanics short answers

List and describe the three abnormal deviations in the spinal curvature, including symptoms, possible causes, and treatment options.

1. Lordosis: Exaggeration of the lumbar curve, often associated with weakened abdominal muscles and anterior pelvic tilt. Causes include congenital spinal deformity, weakness of the abdominal muscles, poor postural habits, and overtraining in sports requiring repeated lumber hyperextension. Symptoms include limited range of motion in hip extension. 2. Kyphosis: Exaggerated thoracic curvature. Causes include a congenital abnormality, a pathology or Scheuermann's disease. Treatment includes exercises to strengthen the posterior thoracic muscles for mild causes. For more severe cases, bracing or surgical correction are used. 3. Scoliosis: Lateral deviation or deviation in spinal curvature. The lateral deformity of the involved vertebrae, with the condition ranging from mild to severe. It can appear as a C- or S-curve involving the thoracic spine, the lumbar spine or both. Causes include congenital abnormalities, selected cancers, carrying books or a heavy purse on one side of the body. Symptoms include extreme lateral deviation and localized rotation of the spine and can be painful and deforming. Treatment can include bracing and/or surgery

List the four major ligaments of the knee, describe the location of each and explain the role each one plays in providing stability to the joint.

1. Medial Collateral Ligament: The medial collateral ligament merges with the joint capsule and medial meniscus to connect the medial epicondyle to the femur to the medial tibia. This attachment is below the pes anserinus in which the ligament is positioned to resist medially directed shear and rotation forces on the knee. 2. Lateral Collateral Ligament: The lateral collateral ligament runs posteriorly to the ridge of the lateral epicondyle of the femur to the head of the fibula. This ligament contributes to lateral stability of the knee. 3. Anterior Cruciate Ligament: The anterior cruciate ligament stretches from the anterior aspect of the intercondyloid fossa of the tibia that is medial and posterior to the anterior tibial spine in a superior, posterior direction to the posterior medial surface of the lateral condyle of the femur. This ligament restricts the anterior sliding of the femur on the tibial plateaus during knee flexion and extension, and also limits knee hyperextension. 4. Posterior Cruciate Ligament: The posterior cruciate ligament runs from the posterior aspect of the tibial intercondyloid fossa in a superior, anterior direction to the lateral anterior medial condyle of the femur. This ligament restricts the posterior sliding of the femur on the tibial plateaus during knee flexion and extension, and also limits knee hyperextension.

Describe carpal tunnel syndrome, including affected area, symptoms and probable causes.

Numbness, tingling, weakness, and other problems in your hand because of pressure in your wrist. Symptoms include pain and numbness along median nerve and clumsiness of finger functioning. Causes include repetitive movements, vibrating tools and tasks that involved handgrip forces

Describe the different types of stretching exercises used to increase flexibility, including the advantages and disadvantages of each

The different types of stretching exercises are static stretching, ballistic stretching, dynamic stretching and PNF. The stretches are either active or passive. Static stretching is a technique in which a muscle is stretched slowly, then held in that position. The advantage of this is that muscles can stretch safely. Ballistic stretching is a technique in which muscles are stretched by the force generated as a body part is repeatedly bounced, swung or jerked. A disadvantage of this is that it can lead to injury and it can trigger nerves that can cause a reface muscle contraction. Dynamic stretching is a technique in which muscles are stretched by moving joints slowly through a controlled range of motion. PNF is a technique that use reflexes intimated by both muscle and join nerves to cause greater training effects. Active stretching is when muscles are stretched by the contraction of the opposing muscles. The disadvantage of this is that someone may not be able to produce enough stress to increase flexibility. Passive stretching is when muscles are stretched by force applied by an outside source. With passive stretching someone can achieve a greater range of motion but they are also in a greater risk of injury.