Sagittal plane pivots or rockers

Sagittal plane pivots or rockers:

The body creates power from above for forward progression  the foot must allow this forward progression, the foot must presumable act as a pivot in the sagittal plane.

The three sites of rotation or sagittal plane pivots are:
1) Plantar surface of calcaneus (heel rocker/first rocker) – rounded plantar surface of calcaneus is the initial pivotal site by permitting the foot to move to the ‘foot flat’ position allows the foot to plantarflex at heel contact – this pivot allows no more motion once the forefoot contacts the ground  next pivot/rocker is used
2) Ankle (ankle rocker/second rocker) – this pivot permits the body to move over the foot – normally there is considered to be 10 degrees of motion of the leg past vertical as heel begins to unweight
3) Metatarsophalangeal joints (forefoot rocker/third rocker)– as the heel unweights, the MPJ’s become the next pivot in the sagittal plane – allows acceleration of forward progression with heel off

Abnormalities in any of these pivots or rockers are assumed to impede forward progression and lead to compensatory changes in other structures.

We have not yet got to this page. We will eventually. Please contact us if you have something to contribute to it or sign up for our newsletter or like us on Facebook and Instagram or follow us on Twitter.

Page last updated: @ 1:47 am