CTO Biomechanics & Gait Analysis Flashcards

What is the term for the excessive forward lean of the trunk during ambulation, often compensating for weak quadriceps?

Answer: Forward trunk lean

Forward trunk lean is a compensatory strategy where patients lean forward to move the ground reaction force in front of the knee, reducing demand on the quadriceps.

During which gait phase does heel strike normally occur?

Answer: Initial contact

Heel strike, now termed initial contact, is the moment the heel first touches the ground at the beginning of the stance phase.

What does a shortened step length on one side typically indicate?

Answer: Pain or instability on the opposite limb

A shortened step length on one side often indicates pain or instability in the opposite limb, causing the patient to spend less time in single-limb stance on that side.

Which plane of motion does ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion occur in?

Answer: Sagittal plane

Ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion occur in the sagittal plane, which divides the body into left and right halves.

What is cadence in gait analysis?

Answer: The number of steps taken per minute

Cadence is defined as the number of steps taken per minute and is a key temporal parameter in gait analysis.

Excessive knee flexion during midstance is often compensated by which orthotic feature?

Answer: A knee extension assist

A knee extension assist incorporated into a knee-ankle-foot orthosis helps correct excessive knee flexion during midstance by providing an extending force.