What condition can cause terminal swing impact during late swing?

What condition can cause terminal swing impact during late swing?

• A. Loose extension aid
• B. Overflexion
• C. Weak hip abductors
• D. Tight extension aid

Answer: (D)

The key idea is how a knee extension aid in a prosthetic leg influences knee motion during the late swing phase. If the extension aid is too tight, it resists knee flexion as the limb moves forward. This restriction keeps the knee more extended as the leg approaches the ground, so when the foot is about to land the knee suddenly snaps into its extended position, producing a hard, jarring contact known as terminal swing impact. Understanding this helps: a slightly looser extension aid would allow more knee flexion in late swing and a smoother heel contact, avoiding that abrupt impact. Overflexion would lead to too much bending rather than a hard impact, and weak hip abductors affect pelvic stability rather than the timing of knee extension in late swing.

The key idea is how a knee extension aid in a prosthetic leg influences knee motion during the late swing phase. If the extension aid is too tight, it resists knee flexion as the limb moves forward. This restriction keeps the knee more extended as the leg approaches the ground, so when the foot is about to land the knee suddenly snaps into its extended position, producing a hard, jarring contact known as terminal swing impact.

Understanding this helps: a slightly looser extension aid would allow more knee flexion in late swing and a smoother heel contact, avoiding that abrupt impact. Overflexion would lead to too much bending rather than a hard impact, and weak hip abductors affect pelvic stability rather than the timing of knee extension in late swing.