Transfemoral Gait Deviations

Question 1

Possible causes for knee instability at initial contact (heel strike) in the transfemoral prosthesis include:

Answer 1

• Heel cushion too firm
• Knee set too far anterior
• Insufficient socket flexion
• Patient has weak hip extensors

Question 2

A heel cushion or plantar flexion bumper that is too soft may result in what deviation at initial contact (heel strike)?

Answer 2

Foot slap

Question 3

If the prosthetic toe rotation does not match the sound side at midstance what might be the cause?

Answer 3

improper foot rotation

Question 4

A medial whip during pre-swing (toe off) on the transfemoral prosthesis may be corrected by:

Answer 4

internally rotating the knee axis

Question 5

In the transfemoral prosthesis, socket contours that do not properly accommodate contracting muscle may cause what gait deviation during pre-swing (toe-off)?

Answer 5

• medial whip

- lateral whip

Question 6

Circumduction on the prosthetic side in a transfemoral amputee may be caused by:

Answer 6

Inadequate hip flexion

Question 7

Vaulting can be reduced or eliminated by making which of the following changes?

Answer 7

• improve suspension
• increase extension bias
• shorten prosthesis
• reduce extension bias

Question 8

An unequal step length seen at terminal swing is caused by which of the following?

Answer 8

Insufficient initial socket flexion