Axial Fixation
This occurs when all the ropes supporting a part are attached to one ‘S’ hook which is fixed to a point
immediately above the centre of the joint which is to be moved, e.g. if the lower limb is to be moved at the
hip joint, two ropes, one to the foot and one to the area of the knee, will be used and fixed at a point
immediately over the axis of the hip joint .
When such fixation is set up the movement of the
limb will be on a flat plane level with the floor. In this way pure angular movements are obtained
If some resistance to the muscle work is required, then the whole fixed point is moved away from the
muscles which require resistance
Abduction and adduction of the hip joint in axial fixation
Flexion and extension of the hip joint in axial fixation
A pillow is placed between the thighs for flexion and extension of the knee in axial
fixation
Shoulder abduction and adduction in axial fixation.
Using axial fixation over the right
glenohumeral joint and a single pulley
rope the movements of
extension/adduction/medial rotation and
flexion/abduction/lateral rotation can
be performed with the patient
quarter 15° turned to the right