COF Biomechanics & Gait Analysis 3

Question 1

When prescribing a KAFO for a patient with quadriceps weakness, the primary biomechanical goal is to:

Accepted Answer

Maintain knee extension moment throughout stance phase

Answer

A KAFO for quadriceps weakness aims to provide a knee extension moment during stance, preventing the knee from buckling under body weight.

Question 2

The 'rocker bottom' sole modification on a shoe or AFO primarily functions to:

Accepted Answer

Facilitate forward progression of the center of mass without requiring ankle motion

Answer

A rocker bottom allows the center of mass to advance forward during terminal stance by substituting for ankle plantarflexion/push-off when ankle motion is limited.

Question 3

During observational gait analysis, a patient demonstrates a lateral trunk lean toward the stance limb. This is most commonly associated with:

Accepted Answer

Ipsilateral hip abductor weakness

Answer

Lateral trunk lean (Trendelenburg gait) occurs ipsilaterally to compensate for weakness of the hip abductors on the same side as the stance limb.

Question 4

The 'ankle rockers' (heel rocker, ankle rocker, forefoot rocker) described by Perry describe energy-efficient mechanisms during which phase of gait?

Accepted Answer

Stance phase only

Answer

Perry's three ankle rockers (heel, ankle, and forefoot) all occur during the stance phase of gait to facilitate smooth forward progression of the body's center of mass.

Question 5

A patient with a complete L3 spinal cord injury would most likely require which type of orthosis for community ambulation?

Accepted Answer

Knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO)

Answer

An L3 complete injury preserves hip flexion and some knee extension but results in absent ankle control and absent knee stability, necessitating KAFO support for functional ambulation.

(COF) Certified Orthotic Fitter Practice Test

(COF) Certified Orthotic Fitter Practice Test

COF Biomechanics & Gait Analysis 3