neutral zone

hi all,

please could someone give me the deffinition of "neutral zone"

thanks

Hi

The best way i can describe the neutral zone is the ROM before you hit R1 in any direction - I left my textbook at work but I think Vleeming and Lee wrote something about it in 1997.

I hope it helps!

Panjabi was the original researcher that described the neutral zone (1992). He referred to the normal translation that occurs between joint surfaces within physiological limits. The neutral zone can be abnormally increased if there is laxity of the passive joint restraints e.g. hypermobility due to capsular or ligamentous laxity.

Neutral zone is also described as loose pack position. That position in which the capsule andligaments are the freeest in all direction, the position in which motion in all directions is freeest which includes accessory and traditional motions. In the hip and the SI the loos-pack position is with hip in about 30 degree flexion and abduction and slight external rotation (approximate figures from memory). The opposite to loose pack is closed pack in which ligaments and capsule are tightest and motion in any direction has greatest restricition.
Jerry Hesch, MHS, PT

Neutral zone is not the same as loose packed position of a joint.

It is as described 2 posts above; ROM that a joint can do without tightening passive structures. Neutral zone is most commonly used about the back in question of stabililty problems. I'm not very good at explaining, but read further here:

Panjabi:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entr...t=Abstract

and this can be of value:

dianelee.ca/published/mas...Thorax.doc

gotta go...

/øystein, Norway.