During midstance, if the pylon leans medially, what is a likely cause?

During midstance, when the pylon leans medially, it can indicate issues related to the alignment and fit of the prosthesis. A likely cause is excessive adduction in the socket, which would cause the residual limb to be positioned inward relative to the center of the knee. This misalignment can create instability and contribute to the medial lean observed in the pylon.

Excessive adduction affects the biomechanics of gait and can lead to compensatory movements or issues in weight distribution. It may result in discomfort for the user and can cause additional wear on the prosthetic components.

The other choices, while they suggest potential issues with socket positioning or foot placement, do not directly explain a medial lean of the pylon during midstance as effectively as incorrect adduction in the socket. For example, if the foot were too outset, one would expect the pylon to lean laterally instead. Similarly, inadequate toe clearance or inadequate suspension might contribute to different gait dynamics but would not specifically account for the pylon leaning medially. Hence, excessive adduction in the socket is the most coherent cause for this observation.