CTO CTO Lower Extremity Orthotics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym AFO stand for in orthotics?
- Ankle-Foot Orthosis (Correct answer)
- Arch-Foot Orthosis
- Anterior-Foot Orthosis
- Articulated Foot Orthosis
Correct answer: Ankle-Foot Orthosis
AFO stands for Ankle-Foot Orthosis, a device that encompasses the ankle and foot to control motion and provide support.
Question 2: A solid ankle AFO is most appropriate for a patient with which condition?
- Mild ankle sprain
- Foot drop with spasticity requiring control in multiple planes (Correct answer)
- Flexible flatfoot only
- Plantar fasciitis without neurological involvement
Correct answer: Foot drop with spasticity requiring control in multiple planes
A solid ankle AFO is indicated for foot drop with spasticity because it controls sagittal, frontal, and transverse plane motion simultaneously.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a supramalleolar orthosis (SMO)?
- Control knee hyperextension
- Provide mediolateral stability at the ankle while allowing sagittal plane motion (Correct answer)
- Immobilize the entire lower extremity
- Correct spinal alignment
Correct answer: Provide mediolateral stability at the ankle while allowing sagittal plane motion
An SMO provides mediolateral stability at the ankle and subtalar joint while permitting sagittal plane dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.
Question 4: Which KAFO component is responsible for preventing knee hyperextension?
- Anterior tibial band
- Posterior offset knee joint (Correct answer)
- Drop lock ring
- Lateral upright
Correct answer: Posterior offset knee joint
A posterior offset knee joint positions the mechanical joint axis posterior to the anatomical knee joint, creating an extension moment that prevents hyperextension.
Question 5: A patient with L4 incomplete spinal cord injury most likely requires which orthotic device?
- Thoracolumbosacral orthosis
- Knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) (Correct answer)
- Cervical collar
- Wrist-hand orthosis
Correct answer: Knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO)
An L4 incomplete spinal cord injury typically results in weakness of the knee extensors and ankle dorsiflexors, requiring a KAFO for safe ambulation.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a medial wedge in a foot orthosis?
- Increase heel cushioning
- Reduce subtalar joint pronation by elevating the medial column (Correct answer)
- Correct hallux valgus
- Reduce plantar fascia tension
Correct answer: Reduce subtalar joint pronation by elevating the medial column
A medial wedge elevates the medial column of the foot to reduce subtalar joint pronation and correct rearfoot valgus alignment.
CTO CTO Lower Extremity Orthotics 1
What does the acronym AFO stand for in orthotics?