During gait, which rotation occurs as you move from initial contact toward mid-stance?

During gait, which rotation occurs as you move from initial contact toward mid-stance?

• A. External rotation
• B. Internal rotation
• C. Protraction
• D. Elevation

Answer: (B)

As the body moves from the moment of heel contact toward mid-stance, the thigh (femur) internally rotates at the hip. This medially directed rotation helps bring the knee and foot under the body’s line of progression, stabilizing the pelvis and allowing the weight to be smoothly transferred onto the stance limb. It aligns the limb with the direction of travel and supports forward progression. External rotation would move the leg outward and isn’t the rotation that supports progression during this phase. Protraction is a shoulder/scapular movement, not related to the lower-limb rotation in this stage. Elevation is a vertical movement, not a rotational one.

As the body moves from the moment of heel contact toward mid-stance, the thigh (femur) internally rotates at the hip. This medially directed rotation helps bring the knee and foot under the body’s line of progression, stabilizing the pelvis and allowing the weight to be smoothly transferred onto the stance limb. It aligns the limb with the direction of travel and supports forward progression.

External rotation would move the leg outward and isn’t the rotation that supports progression during this phase. Protraction is a shoulder/scapular movement, not related to the lower-limb rotation in this stage. Elevation is a vertical movement, not a rotational one.