The patello-femoral joint :

so THAT'S why PT's love step downs - - Posted by 3of3 (3of3), 24 January 2005

Because they strengthen the gluteus medius! A weak GM can result in lateral shift of the pelvis during gait, resulting in increased femoral medial rotation, heightening the likelihood of the patella riding against the lateral side of the trochlea. At least, this is my understanding that I just came to after running into this link the other day:
http://www.uvm.edu/~gwu/120lect_PelvisMMT.html

I had long been frustrated with being told to do step downs for my PT as I found them difficult, tedious and boring but I've come to have some appreciation for them now.

What do you think of the link? Esp. the last section at the bottom of the page, about postural deviations. Is my understanding correct?
Posted by Nettan (Nettan), 24 January 2005

Great link, easy to understand. Thank you !!

Hugs Nettan  
Posted by imnotpunk (imnotpunk), 24 January 2005

Most definitely! When I was at my worst, I couldn't even DO a step down! My gait was absolutely dreadful and I started seeing a chiropractic due to horrid mis-allignment of my pelvis and spine. At least now that I got my tendon reconstructed I can finally START to do step downs again, and as much as they stink at the time I know I'll be happy in the long run!

Great link, thanks for the info!

Best wishes,
Patricia
Posted by libertynm (libertynm), 24 January 2005

many many thanks!!  The rest of the lecture notes are good, too. . .I was just taking a look at the gait notes. . .

Much Aloha,
Nesanet

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