Forces in Rehabilitation

Introduction[edit | edit source]

A force is a push or pull acting upon an object as a result of its interaction with another object.

Sub Heading 2[edit | edit source]

Types of forces[edit | edit source]

Compression Force[edit | edit source]

  • Forces are moving primarily in an approximating direction
  • Compression stimulates bone, cartilage, discogenic tissue, and often neurological tissue.
  • When these tissues are overloaded, this leads to fractures, in some cases disc damage, or even nerve compression.
  • Examples: stress fracture of vertebrae, disc herniation, cervical radiculopathy, and compartment syndrome. Insufficient loading may lead to osteoporosis for example.

Shear Force[edit | edit source]

  • Forces are NOT moving in opposite or approximating directions exclusively. This is a COMBINATION of tension and compression.
  • When shear is the primary motion occuring, the body often lacks sufficient ways to attenuate this stress and may  lead to degenerative changes over time or perhaps even acute tissue rupture.
  • EXAMPLES: This is seen in ACL ruptures and spondylolisthesis.

Tension Force[edit | edit source]

  • Forces are oriented primarily in opposite directions
  • Tension stimulates muscle, tendon, ligament and in some cases neurological tissue.
  • Overload with “tension” leads to sprains, strains and in some cases peripheral nerve injury.
  • Examples: hamstring tear, patellar tendonopathy, brachial plexopathy, MCL tear. Insufficient loading leads to muscle atrophy, and weak ligaments and tendons for example.

Resources[edit | edit source]

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