Decrease in closed kinetic chain dorsiflexion is a predictor of which condition?

Decrease in closed kinetic chain dorsiflexion is a predictor of which condition?

• A. Ipsilateral GH dysfunction
• B. SI inflammation
• C. Lumbalgia
• D. Patellofemoral pain

Answer: (C)

A reduced closed kinetic chain dorsiflexion indicates limited ankle mobility during weight-bearing movements. When the ankle can’t dorsiflex well, the body often compensates by altering knee, hip, and pelvis positions and by increasing movement of the lumbar spine. Those compensations place extra stress on the lower back over time and are commonly associated with developing low back pain, or lumbalgia. While limited ankle dorsiflexion can influence knee mechanics and is sometimes discussed in relation to patellofemoral pain, the strongest and most direct link in this context is to the lumbar region. Shoulder/GH issues and sacroiliac inflammation are not as closely connected to ankle dorsiflexion in predicting outcomes.

A reduced closed kinetic chain dorsiflexion indicates limited ankle mobility during weight-bearing movements. When the ankle can’t dorsiflex well, the body often compensates by altering knee, hip, and pelvis positions and by increasing movement of the lumbar spine. Those compensations place extra stress on the lower back over time and are commonly associated with developing low back pain, or lumbalgia.

While limited ankle dorsiflexion can influence knee mechanics and is sometimes discussed in relation to patellofemoral pain, the strongest and most direct link in this context is to the lumbar region. Shoulder/GH issues and sacroiliac inflammation are not as closely connected to ankle dorsiflexion in predicting outcomes.