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Chirurgia Del Piede 2003 September;27(3):93-100

Copyright © 2003 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Concepts of joint stiffness, instability and laxity of the hindfoot

Pisani G.

Joint stiffness is the abolition or limitation of function due or any change to Payr's kinetic chain (joint, nervous system, motor apparatus) or to the tegument structures. Congenital or acquired, they can be the symptom or the outcome of numerous conditions and one or more components of the kinetic chain may be involved. Instability defines the loss of active joint stability in relation to central (I motoneurone) or peripheral (II motoneurone) or proprioceptive nervous pathology. Laxity is the loss of passive joint stability in relation to traumatic or degen erative ligamentous pathology. Instability and laxity, which can occur as an autonomous picture or in association, contribute in general to a picture of joint insufficiency.