Frontal plane knee motion during gait is described as which of the following?

Frontal plane knee motion during gait is described as which of the following?

• A. Large and primary
• B. Relatively stable
• C. Maximally abducted
• D. The main shock absorber

Answer: (B)

In gait, the knee mainly moves in the sagittal plane—flexion and extension—to absorb shock and propel the body. Frontal plane motion, meaning abduction/adduction at the knee, stays near neutral and changes only slightly as you step. Those small varus/valgus adjustments help the limb adapt to surface variations but don’t constitute large, primary movement. That’s why describing frontal plane knee motion during gait as relatively stable fits best: the knee maintains near-neutral alignment most of the stance and swing phases, with only minor side-to-side motion. The other options imply large, primary, or extreme positions or functions (like acting as the main shock absorber), which aren’t accurate for the knee’s frontal plane behavior in normal walking.

In gait, the knee mainly moves in the sagittal plane—flexion and extension—to absorb shock and propel the body. Frontal plane motion, meaning abduction/adduction at the knee, stays near neutral and changes only slightly as you step. Those small varus/valgus adjustments help the limb adapt to surface variations but don’t constitute large, primary movement. That’s why describing frontal plane knee motion during gait as relatively stable fits best: the knee maintains near-neutral alignment most of the stance and swing phases, with only minor side-to-side motion. The other options imply large, primary, or extreme positions or functions (like acting as the main shock absorber), which aren’t accurate for the knee’s frontal plane behavior in normal walking.