COF Patient Assessment & Measurement 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When assessing a patient for a custom ankle-foot orthosis, which measurement is taken from the fibular head to the floor?
- Total leg length
- AFO height (Correct answer)
- Tibial length
- Malleolar height
Correct answer: AFO height
The AFO height is measured from the fibular head to the floor to determine the proximal trim line of the orthosis.
Question 2: A patient presents with excessive subtalar pronation during gait. Which assessment finding would BEST confirm this observation?
- Increased knee valgus
- Calcaneal eversion exceeding 5 degrees during stance (Correct answer)
- Reduced ankle dorsiflexion
- Forefoot supination
Correct answer: Calcaneal eversion exceeding 5 degrees during stance
Calcaneal eversion exceeding 5 degrees during stance phase is a primary clinical indicator of excessive subtalar pronation.
Question 3: Which tool is used to measure the angle of forefoot varus or valgus during a static foot assessment?
- Goniometer (Correct answer)
- Inclinometer
- Bisection ruler
- Tractograph
Correct answer: Goniometer
A goniometer is used to measure the forefoot-to-rearfoot relationship, quantifying varus or valgus deformity in degrees.
Question 4: During patient history intake for orthotic fitting, which question is MOST relevant to orthosis material selection?
- How long have you had the condition?
- Do you have any latex or nickel allergies? (Correct answer)
- What medications are you taking?
- What is your occupation?
Correct answer: Do you have any latex or nickel allergies?
Latex or nickel allergies directly impact material selection since many orthoses use thermoplastics with nickel hardware or foam liners containing latex.
Question 5: When measuring for a wrist-hand orthosis, which landmark defines the distal palmar crease boundary?
- The metacarpophalangeal joints (Correct answer)
- The proximal interphalangeal joints
- The thenar eminence
- The carpal tunnel
Correct answer: The metacarpophalangeal joints
The distal palmar crease corresponds to the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, and orthotic trim lines typically end just proximal to this crease to allow finger flexion.
Question 6: A patient with a BMI of 42 requires a TLSO. Which assessment factor becomes MOST critical compared to a patient with normal BMI?
- Spinal range of motion
- Abdominal depth measurement (Correct answer)
- Leg length discrepancy
- Shoulder width
Correct answer: Abdominal depth measurement
In patients with obesity, the abdominal depth measurement is critical because it affects orthosis fit, comfort, and the ability to achieve adequate spinal immobilization.
Question 7: Which gait deviation is MOST commonly associated with weak hip abductors and would be identified during patient ambulation assessment?
- Steppage gait
- Trendelenburg gait (Correct answer)
- Antalgic gait
- Scissor gait
Correct answer: Trendelenburg gait
Trendelenburg gait, characterized by contralateral pelvic drop during single-limb stance, is the hallmark sign of weak hip abductor muscles.
COF Patient Assessment & Measurement 2
When assessing a patient for a custom ankle-foot orthosis, which measurement is taken from the fibular head to the floor?