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 normal gait the knee’s main movement happens in the sagittal plane—flexion and extension—to absorb shock and propel the body. Frontal plane motion (abduction/adduction) is kept small and tightly controlled to maintain leg alignment and stability from heel strike through stance. That restrained, steady behavior is what makes frontal plane knee motion described as relatively stable. The other phrases imply a larger or primary role for frontal plane motion or assign it a function (like being the main shock absorber) that is actually handled by sagittal plane knee flexion during loading.

In normal gait the knee’s main movement happens in the sagittal plane—flexion and extension—to absorb shock and propel the body. Frontal plane motion (abduction/adduction) is kept small and tightly controlled to maintain leg alignment and stability from heel strike through stance. That restrained, steady behavior is what makes frontal plane knee motion described as relatively stable. The other phrases imply a larger or primary role for frontal plane motion or assign it a function (like being the main shock absorber) that is actually handled by sagittal plane knee flexion during loading.