Posture Angel Dysfunction – Lateral Hip Axis Tilt (L and R)
Posture Angel
Module 5 – Posture Angel Dysfunction
Primary Plane- Coronal (Frontal)
If the hip axis tilt is greater than 2 degrees to the Right or the Left then this is scored as a dysfunction. A hip tilt of 1 or 2 degrees is considered within normal limits.
Significance
Hip “unleveling” can occur with impaired trunk proprioception and general weakness in the lateral chains of the body. Zazulak and colleagues have found a correlation between the lack of trunk proprioception and the increased risk of knee injury in female athletes (Zazulak et. al, 2007). Hip instability in the frontal plane is often correlated with a weakness of the gluteus medius muscles. The gluteus medius provides the direct lateral stability of the hip complex in the frontal plane.
The lack of stability of the hips in the frontal plane will often cause the hyperactivation of the lateral stabilizers of the low back (i.e- quadratus lumborum) ”and the lateral stabilizers of the femur and tibia (i.e lateral quad and IT band). Often there will also be a recruitment of compensatory muscles in the transverse plane and a rotation of joints of the lumbar spine and the knee will ensue, also affecting other segments above and below.
Corrective Strategies
- Mobilize the lower extremity lateral chain of structures and muscles such as the TFL, IT band, lateral quadricep, peroneus longus) of the ipsilateral side of tilt.
- Strengthen the frontal plane hip stabilizers such as the gluteus medius of the contralateral side of hip tilt.
- Mobilize tissues such as the quadratus lumborum, iliolumbar ligament of the contralateral side of hip tilt.
- Stabilize the hips in the frontal plane.