During pre-swing, the knee flexes to approximately what range?

During pre-swing, the knee flexes to approximately what range?

• A. 60° flexion
• B. 0-5° flexion
• C. 15-18° flexion
• D. 35-40° flexion

Answer: (C)

In pre-swing the knee only bends a little. This small amount of knee flexion helps shorten the limb and makes it easier to push off and start the leg swinging forward. Deeper knee flexion happens later in the swing, when the leg needs more clearance, and near full extension occurs during stance, not during pre-swing. So a light, modest bend is the typical pattern, which is why that option is the best match. The other numbers correspond to knee positions seen in other parts of the gait cycle: a deep bend is seen later in swing or in different activities, while near extension fits stance rather than pre-swing.

In pre-swing the knee only bends a little. This small amount of knee flexion helps shorten the limb and makes it easier to push off and start the leg swinging forward. Deeper knee flexion happens later in the swing, when the leg needs more clearance, and near full extension occurs during stance, not during pre-swing. So a light, modest bend is the typical pattern, which is why that option is the best match. The other numbers correspond to knee positions seen in other parts of the gait cycle: a deep bend is seen later in swing or in different activities, while near extension fits stance rather than pre-swing.