DPM Biomechanics & Gait Analysis 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Steppage gait is most commonly associated with weakness of which muscle group?
- Hip abductors
- Ankle plantarflexors
- Ankle dorsiflexors (Correct answer)
- Knee extensors
Correct answer: Ankle dorsiflexors
Steppage gait results from foot drop due to weak dorsiflexors; patients exaggerate hip and knee flexion to clear the toes during swing.
Question 2: When analyzing a patient's center of pressure (COP) path during stance, a lateral COP pathway throughout the entire contact period most suggests:
- Excessive subtalar joint pronation
- Subtalar joint supination / insufficient pronation (Correct answer)
- Ankle equinus deformity
- Hallux limitus
Correct answer: Subtalar joint supination / insufficient pronation
A laterally deviated COP path throughout stance indicates supinatory posture, consistent with conditions like pes cavus or subtalar varus.
Question 3: The 'apparent leg length discrepancy' most commonly results from:
- Asymmetric tibial length
- Pelvic obliquity or soft tissue contracture (Correct answer)
- Femoral neck angle asymmetry
- Asymmetric calcaneal pitch
Correct answer: Pelvic obliquity or soft tissue contracture
Apparent leg length discrepancy arises from non-skeletal causes such as pelvic obliquity, hip adductor contracture, or scoliosis rather than true bone length differences.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the oblique axis of the midtarsal joint?
- Runs nearly parallel to the transverse plane with minimal sagittal motion
- Runs medially, superiorly, and anteriorly allowing sagittal and transverse plane motions (Correct answer)
- Runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis with pure frontal plane motion
- Runs posteriorly allowing only plantarflexion
Correct answer: Runs medially, superiorly, and anteriorly allowing sagittal and transverse plane motions
The oblique midtarsal axis is oriented medially, superiorly, and anteriorly, producing combined sagittal and transverse plane motion (plantarflexion-adduction / dorsiflexion-abduction).
Question 5: During the push-off phase, the first metatarsophalangeal joint must dorsiflex approximately how many degrees for normal propulsion?
- 20–30°
- 45–55°
- 65–75° (Correct answer)
- 85–95°
Correct answer: 65–75°
Normal propulsive push-off requires approximately 65–75° of first MTP dorsiflexion to allow effective windlass engagement and forward progression.
Question 6: Trendelenburg gait results from weakness of the ipsilateral:
- Iliopsoas
- Gluteus medius (Correct answer)
- Quadriceps femoris
- Gastrocnemius
Correct answer: Gluteus medius
Weak gluteus medius on the stance limb cannot maintain pelvic level, causing the contralateral pelvis to drop during single-limb support.
Question 7: Which gait parameter is most directly increased by faster walking speed?
- Step width
- Cadence (Correct answer)
- Double support time
- Heel strike angle
Correct answer: Cadence
Cadence (steps per minute) increases directly with walking speed, along with stride length; double support time decreases with faster speeds.
DPM Biomechanics & Gait Analysis 3
Steppage gait is most commonly associated with weakness of which muscle group?