Joint stability

{{short description|Ability of the musculoskeletal system to enable precise motion about a joint}}

Joint stability refers to the resistance offered by various musculoskeletal tissues that surround a skeletal joint. Several subsystems ensure the stability of a joint. These are the passive, active and neural subsystems.{{cite journal | author = Panjabi MM. | title = The stabilizing system of the spine. Part II. Neutral zone and instability hypothesis. | journal = J Spinal Disord | volume = 5 | issue = 4 | pages = 390–7 | year = 1992 | doi = 10.1097/00002517-199212000-00002| pmid = 1490035 }} It is believed that one or more of the subsystems must have failed if joint instability occurs, usually a torn or overstretched ligament. Instability of joints can cause unhealthy ranges of movement in your joints, which can result in the joints fracturing.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

The bony components that may relate to the potential for joint instability can be measured by use of x-rays. Plain film lateral x-rays can be used to evaluate for translations anteriorly (anterolisthesis) or posteriorly (retrolisthesis). Where plain films indicate the likelihood of these translations being significant, flexion-extension views can be utilized to determine the dynamic range of movement of joints. This allows for a more accurate view of any potential instability issues.{{cite book

| last = Cocchiarella

| first = L.

|author2=Andersson G.

| title = American Medical Association Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Ed 5

| publisher = American Medical Association

| date = 1993

| location = Chicago Il. USA

| pages = 98

| isbn = 0-89970-553-7}}