During mid-swing, the ankle should reach approximately what position?

During mid-swing, the ankle should reach approximately what position?

• A. 10° dorsiflexion
• B. 5° dorsiflexion
• C. 15° plantarflexion
• D. 0°

Answer: (D)

In mid-swing, the ankle is essentially neutral. As the leg swings forward, the foot is positioned to clear the ground and to set up for a smooth heel strike, and this is typically achieved with the ankle around 0 degrees of dorsiflexion/plantarflexion. For toe clearance, the main work comes from knee and hip flexion and the prior dorsiflexion earlier in the swing, not a continued upward or downward tilt at mid-swing. So a zero degree position best fits this phase. Choosing a dorsiflexed position would imply more upward foot orientation than mid-swing usually has, potentially altering toe clearance timing. Plantarflexion would tilt the toes downward, raising the risk of ground contact. Therefore, neutral aligns with the expected mid-swing posture.

In mid-swing, the ankle is essentially neutral. As the leg swings forward, the foot is positioned to clear the ground and to set up for a smooth heel strike, and this is typically achieved with the ankle around 0 degrees of dorsiflexion/plantarflexion. For toe clearance, the main work comes from knee and hip flexion and the prior dorsiflexion earlier in the swing, not a continued upward or downward tilt at mid-swing. So a zero degree position best fits this phase.

Choosing a dorsiflexed position would imply more upward foot orientation than mid-swing usually has, potentially altering toe clearance timing. Plantarflexion would tilt the toes downward, raising the risk of ground contact. Therefore, neutral aligns with the expected mid-swing posture.