As stance progresses, the hip moves toward what horizontal plane position?

As stance progresses, the hip moves toward what horizontal plane position?

• A. External rotation
• B. Internal rotation
• C. Plantarflexion
• D. Inversion

Answer: (B)

In the transverse (horizontal) plane, the hip can rotate internally or externally. As stance progresses, the leg tends to rotate inward at the hip to keep the knee and foot aligned with the direction of travel and to stabilize the pelvis while weight is borne. This inward (internal) rotation helps the lower limb follow the forward progression smoothly, even as the ankle and foot absorb shock and the tibia may rotate due to pronation. Plantarflexion and inversion are movements in other planes (sagittal and frontal, respectively) and describe actions at the ankle or foot, not hip rotation in the horizontal plane. External rotation would move the thigh outward, which is not the typical adjustment seen during the forward progression of stance.

In the transverse (horizontal) plane, the hip can rotate internally or externally. As stance progresses, the leg tends to rotate inward at the hip to keep the knee and foot aligned with the direction of travel and to stabilize the pelvis while weight is borne. This inward (internal) rotation helps the lower limb follow the forward progression smoothly, even as the ankle and foot absorb shock and the tibia may rotate due to pronation.

Plantarflexion and inversion are movements in other planes (sagittal and frontal, respectively) and describe actions at the ankle or foot, not hip rotation in the horizontal plane. External rotation would move the thigh outward, which is not the typical adjustment seen during the forward progression of stance.