POSTURAL DEFECTS

This refers to an abnormal curvature of the spine which is often associated with sickness (es) that has to do with postures. There are different types of postural defects- these are:

1. Kyphosis (humped back or rounded back)
2. Scoliosis
3. Lordosis (hollow back)
4. Flat foot
5. Knocked knees
6. Bowed-legs
7. Wry neck

 1.    KYPHOSIS (ROUND SHOULDER)

 Definition: kyphosis is regarded as the round shoulders which involve the bones and muscles of the back to assume a haunch or humped condition.

2.     SCOLIOSIS (LATERAL CURVATURE)

Definition: scoliosis is the lateral curvature of the spine; that is, it is the sideway bending of the body. It involves one shoulder being elevated more than the other. It affects the spine column and the two shoulders.

3.     LORDOSIS (HOLLOW BACK)

Definition: lordosis is defined as the abnormal curvature of the spinal column. This is the backward bending of the spinal column of the body. The tommy or stomach is usually big. The person is usually huge or lanky to carry the weight of the big stomach.

4.     FLAT FOOT

Definition: A flat foot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is flattened which starts or stretches from the heel to the big toe. It involves the tearing of the ligaments supporting the arch of the foot. It is the most common kind of foot trouble. In the normal foot, only the heel, toes, and outer border of the foot touch the ground.

5.     BOWED LEGS (VARUS KNEE)

Definition: Bowed legs are a condition in which in which the legs appear “bow” to the outside. In a bowed-leg situation, the patella would fall to the outside of the anterior leg line.

6.     KNOCK-KNEE LEG/K-LEG (VALGUS KNEE)

Definition: The knock-knee leg is the opposite of the bowed legs. It is a deviation where the patella falls inside the anterior leg line. Bowed legs and knock-knee legs are usually the result of faulty skeletal development.

7.     WRY NECK: This is a condition that makes a person hold his or her neck at a tilt while the chin is pointed in the opposite direction.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               EVALUATION    

1.     Briefly describe all these postural defects

(a)Kyphosis

(b)Lordosis

(c)Scoliosis

(d)Bowed-legs

(e)Knock-knee leg

(f)Flat-foot

(g)Wry neck

CAUSES OF POSTURAL DEFECTS

Common causes of postural defects include the following:

1. Pain or injuries: if there is injury or pain in parts of the body, you tend to overcome the pain by holding the body in a particular way. When this continues for a long time, it can become a daily habit.
2. Low nutritional state: The spine and back need adequate nutrients to grow strong and straight. Low nutrition and lack of vitamins and calcium can affect the bones and muscles by not providing adequate strength and flexibility to hold themselves in a correct posture.
3. Heredity: if a family has a history of a particular bad posture, it might be difficult to prevent such posture because genes are responsible.
4. Habit: sometimes, the way one walks or the way one holds things can be reasons for bad posture. For example, carrying weight on only one side of the body can contribute to imbalance or poor posture.
5. Occupation:  The nature of the job can contribute to bad posture. People who have desk jobs, often push their neck and head forward and haunch their shoulders. All these contribute to an inability to keep spines straight and result in bad posture.
6. Lifestyles and fashion: People, who walk on pencil heels, are more prone to bad posture. Wearing boots, tight-fitting clothes, low-waist jeans, and wide belts can cause bad posture because it changes the center of gravity and causes posture to suffer.

General causes of poor or bad postures also include the following;

Lack of regular exercise, prolonged sitting or standing, faulty bone formation, muscular weakness, lack of rest and sleep, imitation or habit formation such as walking, running, standing, etc