Musculoskeletal Review Questions #1

Question 1

Which position would be least likely to contribute to a hip flexion contracture?

prone
sidelying
sitting
supine

Answer 1

prone

Question 2

Which level of amputation is most consistent with a Syme’s amputation?

surgical removal of the lower extremity through the knee joint
surgical removal of the foot at the ankle joint with removal of the malleoli
surgical removal at the level of the midtarsal joint
surgical removal of the midsection of the metatarsals

Answer 2

surgical removal of the foot at the ankle joint with removal of the malleoli

Question 3

For a patient with a transtibial amputation, what is considered appropriate positioning?

prone with a pillow under the hips
prone with a pillow under the distal residual limb
supine with a pillow under the knee
supine with a pillow under the distal residual limb

Answer 3

supine with a pillow under the distal residual limb

Question 4

Which of the following is least likely to result in a lower extremity amputation?

peripheral vascular disease
severe infection
congenital limb deficiency
diabetes

Answer 4

congenital limb deficiency

Question 5

What is the most common cause of upper limb amputation?

peripheral vascular disease
tumor
congenital limb deficiency
trauma

Answer 5

trauma

Question 6

Which of the following amputations would be defined as the removal of a toe and all or part of the corresponding metatarsal?

toe amputation
ray resection
midfoot amputation
hindfoot amputation

Answer 6

ray resection

Question 7

Which of the following contractures is most commonly observed following a transfemoral amputation?

hip extension and adduction
hip extension and abduction
hip flexion and abduction
hip flexion and adduction

Answer 7

hip flexion and abduction

Question 8

Which requirement would be least important prior to being considered a candidate for a transfemoral prosthesis?

the ability to independently transfer from a bed to a chair
the ability to independently rise from sitting to standing
the ability to ambulate up and down parallel bars using a single leg
the ability to ambulate up and down 10 stairs with axillary crutches

Answer 8

the ability to ambulate up and down 10 stairs with axillary crutches

Question 9

Which level of amputation would be most likely to use crutches for functional mobility instead of a prosthesis?

hip disarticulation
transtibial amputation
Syme’s amputation
transhumeral amputation

Answer 9

hip disarticulation

Question 10

A long transtibial amputation refers to an amputation that takes place at the:

distal third of the lower extremity below the knee joint
distal third of the lower extremity above the knee joint
proximal third of the lower extremity below the knee joint
proximal third of the lower extremity above the knee joint

Answer 10

distal third of the lower extremity below the knee joint

Question 11

What is the most likely prosthetic cause for excessive knee flexion during stance phase in a patient with a transtibial amputation?

excessive plantar flexion
insufficient plantar flexion
soft heel cushion
low shoe heel

Answer 11

insufficient plantar flexion

Question 12

A limitation in which motion of a prosthetic limb would be most likely to interfere with walking forward up a hill with a step-over-step pattern?

dorsiflexion
plantar flexion
hip flexion
hip extension

Answer 12

dorsiflexion

Question 13

What is the most important variable to consider when determining if a patient is a candidate for a prosthesis?

prior level of activity
level of amputation
comorbidities
age

Answer 13

prior level of activity

Question 14

Which of the following permits the attachment of a pylon for early ambulation following amputation?

Unna boot
elastic shrinker
semi-rigid dressing
plaster of Paris

Answer 14

plaster of paris

The rigid dressing is made from plaster or prefabricated plastic. They are primarily used for residual limb protection and edema control. A pylon can be attached for early ambulation and the prefabricated versions can be adjusted in response to girth changes in the residual limb.

Question 15

Which of the following requires sutures to be removed from the amputation site prior to use?

Unna boot
elastic shrinker
semi-rigid dressing
removable rigid dressing

Answer 15

elastic shrinker

Question 16

When wrapping a residual limb of a patient following a transtibial amputation, what size elastic bandages would be the most appropriate?

two six-inch bandages
one four-inch bandage
two four-inch bandages
one six-inch bandage and one four-inch bandage

Answer 16

two four-inch bandages

When wrapping the residual limb of a patient who has had a transtibial amputation, two four-inch bandages should be used. The limb should be wrapped with a figure-eight pattern for equal pressure and appropriate limb shaping.

Question 17

What is the primary area of the residual limb that is used for weight bearing in a transtibial knee prosthesis?

patella tendon
distal end of the residual limb
lateral tibial condyle
fibular head

Answer 17

patella tendon

Question 18

Which area would be considered pressure tolerant in a transtibial residual limb?

patellar
patellar tendon
fibular head
tibial crest

Answer 18

patellar tendon

Question 19

Painful sensation that originates from an amputated limb is called:

residual limb pain
referred pain
radicular pain
phantom pain

Answer 19

phantom pain

Question 20

Which of the following would most likely benefit an individual with phantom limb pain?

aerobic exercise
electrical stimulation
paraffin
mirror therapy

Answer 20

mirror therapy