Joint stability refers to the resistance offered by various musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal system

A musculoskeletal system is an organ system that gives animals the ability to move using the muscular and skeletal systems...

 tissues that surround a skeletal joint

Joint

A joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. They are constructed to allow movement and provide mechanical support, and are classified structurally and functionally.-Classification:...

. Several subsystems ensure the stability of a joint. These are the passive, active and neural subsystems. The opposite of stability is instability. It is believed that one or more of the subsystems must have failed if joint instability occurs.

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

Retrolisthesis

A retrolisthesis is a posterior displacement of one vertebral body with respect to the adjacent vertebrae to a degree less than a luxation . Clinically speaking, retrolisthesis is the opposite of spondylolisthesis . In the past this clinical pathology was also called a "retrospondylolisthesis"...

). 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.