CFO Biomechanics & Gait Analysis 2

Question 1

A patient presents with an antalgic gait pattern. Which characteristic best identifies this gait deviation?

Accepted Answer

Shortened stance phase on the painful limb

Answer

Antalgic gait is characterized by a shortened stance phase on the painful limb because the patient minimizes the time spent bearing weight on the affected side.

Question 2

What gait deviation is most directly caused by insufficient ankle dorsiflexion (foot equinus)?

Accepted Answer

Early heel rise and knee hyperextension in stance

Answer

Foot equinus prevents the tibia from advancing over the foot during midstance, causing early heel rise and compensatory knee hyperextension to maintain forward progression.

Question 3

Which orthotic intervention is most appropriate for a patient with excessive rearfoot pronation during gait?

Accepted Answer

Medial heel wedge with rearfoot post

Answer

A medial heel wedge combined with a rearfoot post controls excessive subtalar eversion (pronation) by applying a varus moment to the calcaneus during stance.

Question 4

The Trendelenburg sign is positive when which finding is observed during single-limb stance?

Accepted Answer

The pelvis drops on the swing limb side

Answer

A positive Trendelenburg sign occurs when the pelvis drops on the swing limb side due to weakness of the hip abductors (primarily gluteus medius) on the stance limb side.

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of the metatarsal bar in orthotic device design related to gait biomechanics?

Accepted Answer

Transfer weight-bearing stress proximal to the metatarsal heads

Answer

A metatarsal bar transfers weight-bearing forces proximal to the metatarsal heads, reducing pressure and pain at the metatarsophalangeal joints during the push-off phase of gait.

(CFO) Certified Fitter Orthotics Practice Test

(CFO) Certified Fitter Orthotics Practice Test

CFO Biomechanics & Gait Analysis 2