Re: RC: Re: knees

[JPascu@aol.com]

I've been following this thread with some interest, since the human structure 
and biomechanics is one of my interests. There have been a number of artful 
takes on anatomy and biomechanics. 
It seems to have started with the question on knee pain. 

>A few exercises. Sorry, I don't know any for knees. I can straighten
> a new born foal with knock-knees, but don't know anything for an adult.

"knock knees" in the horse is not the same joint. The horse's knee is the 
carpus, the human equivalent is "knocked wrists".

There are three basic leg patterns in the human, straight, "O" or Bow (Genu 
Varus) or "x" knocked (Genu Valgus). The "o" and "x" legs represent a 
rotation in the femur at the hip joint ( acetabullum). The "o" corresponds to 
and internal rotation, the "x" to and external rotation. ( the femur at the 
hip has 3 degrees of movement freedom, internal/external rotation, 
flexion/extension and aBduction/aDduction, the same as the horse. Dogs have a 
4th). We are all equipped with the muscles to carry out these motions, some 
of the muscles and fascia may be more toned than others and therefore the 
rotation. So, if one's Lateral Rotators are more toned than "x" legs will 
result. This is a harder "type" for riding. If the Medial Rotators are more 
toned then "o" legs will result. Better for riding and in methology would be 
caused by riding, no self respectng cowhand is going to walk with "x" legs, 
especially with corderoys cause they "swish, swish, swish, swish". (John 
Lyons is and external rotation, Tom Dorrance is an external with an internal 
"overlay".). 
Along with these fundamental rotations come some other predictable 
characteristics. X legs, high medial arch, the tibia follows the femur, the 
adductors and the qaudriceps become bound together, narrow ischial 
tuberosities (sits bone) pinched in look at the butt... O legs, flat feet 
(collapsed medial arch), adductors and hamstrings bound up, wide 
tuberosities...
All of this is very visible while standing in front of a mirror, except the 
sits bones. 
Most of us are a mixture of "o", "x" and straight it's part genetics and part 
training, copying others etc. Nature and nurture.
Enough of this stuff. 

Suzie wrote:
> Riding is an
>isometric exercise in that the muscles involved are working  with no change
>in length (unlike a bicep curl) It primarily works the adductors (inner
>thigh muscles) which when tight, pulls the legs apart (bow legs). 

This is isn't actually completely factual. Posting is not isometric, it's a 
combination of Concentric contraction and Eccentric contraction, when coming 
down. With the quads doing most of the work. Turning the horse from the leg 
is a concentric contraction, using the adductors.
The adductors DO NOT bow the legs, adduction occurs at the acetabullum. The 
movement "aDduction" is pulling the legs closer together, aBduction takes 
them apart. The aDdcuctor that Wendy mentioned that gets tired and cramps 
when pulling the legs to the side while mounted is the Tensor of the Fascaie 
Latae and the Gluteus Medius. 

>OK, does anyone know any knee exercises?  Both of my knees stiffen up when
>riding..to the point where I can't continue.  I have to get off and walk.
>They loosen up in just a few minutes and there's no residual pain at all.
>It's worse on a slow ride.  The movement at the faster gaits seems to
>postpone the agony.  At a walk, they start to throb after about 20 minutes.
>At a trot, it doesn't start until about an hour and a half. 

I would suggest that the reason you are having a problem is from lack of 
movement, similar to the person who's feet go to sleep when riding, packing 
but not running. Try shifting your position, dropping the stirrups and 
rotating your feet. You may be in forward flexion and impinging on the 
femural artery, nerves. When you trot if you are posting then you're opening 
this angle at the hip. You may also try shortening your stirrups to open the 
popliteal space behind the knee. 
One other suggestion is to stand in the stirrups and if an "x" pull the 
adductors towards the rear before you sit this will help the leg to lay 
flatter against the horse. 
There are lots of stretches for this as well.
The advice that said get off and walk is great. There's nothing wrong with 
that.

hope this helps, I think I drank too much tea today.

jim pascucci
Advanced Certified Rolfer
www.equisearch.com/ibt


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