MPT Gait and Prosthetics

Question 1

Normal cadence for adults during comfortable walking is approximately:

Accepted Answer

100-120 steps per minute

Answer

Normal adult cadence during comfortable walking is approximately 100-120 steps per minute. Stride length and cadence together determine gait velocity.

Question 2

A transtibial (below-knee) amputee demonstrates excessive knee flexion during stance. The most likely prosthetic cause is:

Accepted Answer

Excessive plantar flexion of the prosthetic foot

Answer

Excessive plantar flexion of the prosthetic foot creates a dorsiflexion moment at the knee during stance, forcing the knee into flexion and producing a flexed knee gait pattern.

Question 3

In the Rancho Los Amigos gait nomenclature, initial contact corresponds to which event in traditional gait terminology?

Accepted Answer

Heel strike

Answer

In the Rancho Los Amigos system, initial contact replaces the traditional term heel strike and describes the moment the foot first contacts the ground, regardless of which part contacts first.

Question 4

A patient with a transfemoral (above-knee) amputation displays a lateral trunk lean toward the prosthetic side during stance. The most likely cause is:

Accepted Answer

Hip abductor weakness on the residual limb side

Answer

Lateral trunk lean (Trendelenburg-type gait) toward the prosthetic side indicates hip abductor weakness on the residual limb, causing the trunk to lean over the prosthesis to reduce hip abductor demand.

Question 5

Which component of a transfemoral prosthesis controls knee stability during the loading response phase?

Accepted Answer

Knee extension assist or polycentric mechanism

Answer

Prosthetic knee stability during loading response is primarily controlled by the knee extension assist mechanism or polycentric (4-bar) linkage, which prevents knee buckling at initial contact.

MPT - Master of Physical Therapy Practice Test

MPT - Master of Physical Therapy Practice Test

MPT Gait and Prosthetics