PT 7422 – PT Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions III

Topic: Muscle Imbalance Chart of the Lower Quadrant

Review the list of muscles listed in the left column, and consider their effect on positioning if they are TIGHT (i.e. don’t
focus on what actions the muscles normally create. Rather, focus on what effect they have on positioning if they are TIGHT.)
Use the key listed at the bottom of this page.

Effects of Muscle Length on Lower Extremity Position

Hip hiking (ilial upslip)

Anterior pelvic tilt

Inflare

Sacral rotation left

Hip flexion

Hip extension

Hip abduction

Hip adduction.

Hip lateral rotation.

Knee flexion

Knee extension.

Tibial torsion
elevationPosterior pelvic tilt

Outflare

Hip medial rotation

Muscles Shortened
Rectus abdominis
External oblique
Internal oblique
Erector spinae
Quadratus
Lumborum
Psoas major
Iliacus
TFL/IT band
Gluteus maximus
Gluteus med
(post)
Gluteus med (ant)
Gluteus minimus
Piriformis
Adductor longus,
brevis, gracilis,
pectineus
Adductor magnus
Medial
hamstrings
Lateral
hamstrings
Quadriceps
Gastrocnemius
Peroneals
Anterior and
posterior tibialis

Key: use the following symbols to code your answers

X = use this symbol if generalized tightness causes the positional response
1 = use this symbol if tightness is primarily due to an ipsilateral response
2 = use this symbol if tightness is primarily due to a contralateral response
3 = use this symbol if the anterior fibers are the primarily cause of the tightness
4 = use this symbol if the posterior fibers are the primary cause of the tightness
1