If forward movement of the leg is uncontrolled during stance, what can occur?

If forward movement of the leg is uncontrolled during stance, what can occur?

• A. Reduced ankle dorsiflexion and knee extension
• B. Hip external rotation only
• C. Exaggerated ankle dorsiflexion and uncontrolled knee flexion
• D. Complete elimination of knee motion

Answer: (C)

When the leg’s forward progression in stance isn’t controlled, the tibia slides forward over the foot without proper braking. That leads to more ankle dorsiflexion than normal because the shin moves forward relative to the foot. At the same time, the knee loses its stabilizing control and may sag into flexion, resulting in uncontrolled knee flexion. This combination—excessive ankle dorsiflexion with an unrestrained knee flexion—fits the pattern you’d expect when forward leg movement isn’t well controlled. The other patterns don’t reflect this same loss of distal control affecting both the ankle and knee in this way.

When the leg’s forward progression in stance isn’t controlled, the tibia slides forward over the foot without proper braking. That leads to more ankle dorsiflexion than normal because the shin moves forward relative to the foot. At the same time, the knee loses its stabilizing control and may sag into flexion, resulting in uncontrolled knee flexion. This combination—excessive ankle dorsiflexion with an unrestrained knee flexion—fits the pattern you’d expect when forward leg movement isn’t well controlled. The other patterns don’t reflect this same loss of distal control affecting both the ankle and knee in this way.