If the dorsiflexors do not eccentrically control plantarflexion at loading response, what gait deviation may occur?

If the dorsiflexors do not eccentrically control plantarflexion at loading response, what gait deviation may occur?

• A. Trendelenburg
• B. Knee hyperextension
• C. Vaulting
• D. Foot slap

Answer: (D)

Dorsiflexors must contract eccentrically during loading response to control plantarflexion and keep the foot from slapping the ground. When they fail to do this, the foot rapidly plantarflexes after heel contact, producing an audible “foot slap.” This reflects weak or inappropriately timed tibialis anterior activity failing to modulate the collision of the foot with the ground. The other gait patterns arise from different impairments: Trendelenburg relates to hip abductor weakness causing a pelvis drop; knee hyperextension stems from inadequate shock absorption or alignment issues at the knee; vaulting involves compensatory plantarflexion of the stance leg to clear the opposite limb and isn’t specifically tied to dorsiflexor control at loading response.

Dorsiflexors must contract eccentrically during loading response to control plantarflexion and keep the foot from slapping the ground. When they fail to do this, the foot rapidly plantarflexes after heel contact, producing an audible “foot slap.” This reflects weak or inappropriately timed tibialis anterior activity failing to modulate the collision of the foot with the ground.

The other gait patterns arise from different impairments: Trendelenburg relates to hip abductor weakness causing a pelvis drop; knee hyperextension stems from inadequate shock absorption or alignment issues at the knee; vaulting involves compensatory plantarflexion of the stance leg to clear the opposite limb and isn’t specifically tied to dorsiflexor control at loading response.