Orthoses

Question 1

A two-year-old who has T10 spina bifida receives physical therapy for gait training for the first time. Which of the following devices should the phsyical therapist assistant use to teach a child how to maintain standing in the INITIAL stages of gait training?

A.
Knee-ankle-foot orthoses and a front-wheeled walker

B.
Ankle-foot orthoses and parallel bars

C.
Bilateral hip-knee-ankle-foot orthoses and forearm crutches

D.
Bilateral hip-knee-ankle-foot orthoses with thoracolumbar support and the parallel bars

Answer 1

Bilateral hip-knee-ankle-foot orthoses with thoracolumbar support and the parallel bars

Question 2

A patient comes to therapy with complaints of acute insertional achilles tendonitis. Which of the following orthotics would be MOST beneficial for the patient?

A small heel lift

A scaphoid pad

Metatarsal pads

Outposting of shoe

Answer 2

A small heel lift

Question 3

Foot slap is most likely to occur due to:

Weak dorsiflexors

Weak plantarflexors

Hip flexor contracture

Weak eccentric knee extensors

Answer 3

weak dorsiflexors

Question 4

A patient comes to therapy with complaints of back pain after running. Upon evaluation, the physical therapist notices excessive pronation on the right foot during midstance phase. Which of the following would be the BEST shoe recommendation to address the pronation?

Scaphoid pad

Metatarsal bar

Wide toe box

Heel lift

Answer 4

Scaphoid pad

Question 5

A patient presenting with flexible pes planus would benefit the most from which orthosis?

Lateral posting

Medial posting

A metatarsal bar

A heel cushion

Answer 5

medial posting

Question 6

What gait pattern would you expect in a patient with a quadriceps weakness?

Hyperextension of the knee during the midstance phase

Backward trunk lean at initial contact

Shortened step length bilaterally

Excessive forward trunk lean during the swing phase

Answer 6

Hyperextension of the knee during the midstance phase

Question 7

A patient presents to physical therapy with complaints of plantar fasciitis. Which of the following would the PTA most likely prescribe to help with this condition?

A heel lift

Metatarsal pad

Lateral wedge

Ankle foot orthoses

Answer 7

heel lift

Question 8

Which pediatric populaton would MOST likely benefit from an SMO?

Child with hypotonia and excessive pronation

An adult with spasticity s/p a cerebrovascular accident.

A child with rigid clubfoot deformity

A child with high tone and spastic equinus

Answer 8

Child with hypotonia and excessive pronation

Question 9

Which of the following reflects the correct motions that combined are considered foot pronation?

Dorsiflexion, abduction, eversion

Dorsiflexion, adduction, eversion

Dorsiflexion, abduction, inversion

Plantarflexion, adduction, eversion

Answer 9

Dorsiflexion, abduction, eversion

Question 10

Which of the following is the primary purpose of a HALO brace?

To provide rigid cervical spine stabilization

To prevent scoliosis progression in adolescents

To reduce lower extremity spasticity

To immobilize the thoracolumbar spine

Answer 10

To provide rigid cervical spine stabilization

Question 11

Which of the following scoliosis orthoses is specifically designed for use only during sleep?

Charleston brace

Milwaukee brace

Boston brace

TLSO brace

Answer 11

Charleston brace

Question 12

Which of the following is the primary function of the CASH (cruciform) brace?

To limit spinal flexion

To limit lumbar scoliosis

To immobilize the cervical spine

To increase thoracic extension range of motion

Answer 12

To limit spinal flexion

Question 13

A patient presents with SI joint pain due to hypermobility related dysfunction. What treatment/intervention will most immediately improve the patient’s pain presentation with walking?

Gluteal strengthening

Hip flexor stretching

A pelvic belt or external stabilizer

Pt education on positions to avoid aggravating pain

Answer 13

A pelvic belt or external stabilizer

Question 14

which cervical orthoses is used for C2 fractures but is not invasive?

Answer 14

minerva

Question 15

which cervical orthoses is the most stable

Answer 15

halo vest

Question 16

which collar may cause chin irritation?

Answer 16

philadelphia

Question 17

which cervical brace provides the least control?

Answer 17

soft collar

Question 18

What is the function of a solid AFO?

Answer 18

A: Limits all ankle and foot motion; ideal for spasticity.

Question 19

What brace is most effective for scoliosis in a child with a mid-thoracic curve that’s used during the day?

Answer 19

boston brace

Question 20

what orthosis assists with dorsiflexion in foot drop?

Answer 20

posterior leaf spring AFO

Question 21

What is the main function of a KAFO?

Answer 21

controls hyperextension and provides M/L knee stability

Question 22

quad mm strength to successfully use a solid AFO

Answer 22

4/5

Question 23

what is the fuction of a reciprocating gait orthosis?

Answer 23

enables slow, stable reciprocal gait in paraplegics

Question 24

what is the primary goal for FES (eg. Bioness L300)?

Answer 24

assist DF for foot drop using electrical stimulation

Question 25

what type of orthosis is best for a child with mild pronation?

Answer 25

SMO - supramalleolar orthosis

Question 26

what component is mostly commonly used to lock the knee in a KAFO

Answer 26

drop ring lock

Question 27

Which orthosis is designed to allow paraplegics to stand with posterior trunk lean? a) KAFO b) Craig-Scott KAFO c) HKAFO d) RGO

Answer 27

Craig-Scott KAFO

Question 28

What is the function of the posterior leaf spring AFO? a) Prevent PF b) Allow PF c) Assist DF during swing phase d) Stabilize knee

Answer 28

Assist DF during swing phase

Question 29

Which orthosis allows reciprocal movement using cables/rods? a) THKAFO b) HKAFO c) RGO d) KAFO

Answer 29

RGO

Question 30

What is the main benefit of a corset? a) Reduce inflammation b) Limit trunk flexion c) Decrease pain and increase healing d) Immobilize pelvis

Answer 30

Decrease pain and increase healing

Question 31

What is a common indication for AFO prescription? a) Total knee replacement b) Peripheral neuropathy c) Trunk instability d) Hip dislocation

Answer 31

Peripheral neuropathy

Question 32

Which of the following is not part of AFO structure? a) Foundation b) Knee lock c) Superstructure d) Ankle control

Answer 32

Knee lock

Question 33

What component controls M/L stability in an AFO? a) Posterior strut b) Ankle stop c) Foot plate d) Subtalar straps

Answer 33

Subtalar straps

Question 34

A patient with an AFO demonstrates foot slap during initial contact. What should the PTA recommend? a) Add posterior leaf spring b) Shorten orthosis c) Use soft collar d) Increase heel height

Answer 34

Add posterior leaf spring

Question 35

A PTA observes a patient with a KAFO showing circumduction during swing. What is the most likely cause? a) Weak dorsiflexors b) Locked knee joint c) Tight hip flexors d) Short limb

Answer 35

Locked knee joint

Question 36

A patient has a vaulting gait and difficulty clearing the orthotic limb. What might fix this? a) Add heel wedge b) Shorten footplate or adjust joint height c) Add posterior strap d) Increase foot length

Answer 36

Shorten footplate or adjust joint height

Question 37

A patient walks with excessive knee flexion during early stance in their new AFO. What’s the problem? a) Too much PF b) Too much DF c) Orthosis too short d) Quad spasticity

Answer 37

Too much DF

Question 38

A PTA notices toe drag during swing. Which orthotic adjustment is most appropriate? a) Increase foot length b) Add PF stop or DF assist c) Add medial wedge d) Reduce heel height

Answer 38

add PF stop or DF assist

Question 39

Patient has foot slap at heel strike. Likely cause?

Answer 39

Weak dorsiflexors or insufficient dorsiflexion assist in AFO.

Question 40

A patient circumducts their leg during swing. What’s the orthotic cause?

Answer 40

The orthosis is too long or stiff — impairs foot clearance.

Question 41

Patient has knee hyperextension during midstance. What’s the likely orthotic issue?

Answer 41

AFO allows too much plantarflexion; needs a PF stop.