THE PRINCIPLES OF MUSCLE-BALANCE AS APPLIED TO ORTHOPEDIC PRACTICE

1. Balance of forces acting on the joints is necessary to their proper function.

2. This balance is partly due to the force of gravity.

3. The relative value of normal joint-balance varies with age, size, and occupation.

4. Any variation from normal muscle-balance predisposes to deformity.

5. Muscle-unbalance may be a primary cause or an associated factor in joint deformity.

6. Muscle-unbalance goes through the stages of correctibility by the patient voluntarily, or by the surgeon easily, forcibly under anesthesia or requiring tenotomies.

7. The deformities therefrom may be complicated by ligamentous and bony changes.

8. Rational treatment consists in restitution of muscle-balance by correction of deformity first and by muscle development second.

9. The application of the principles of muscle-balance and unbalance to the etiology, mechanics and treatment of many orthopedic conditions is fairly general and is suggestive.

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