What may result in a lateral whip in TF prosthetics?

The presence of a lateral whip in transfemoral (TF) prosthetics is often attributed to excessive internal rotation of the knee bolt. When the knee bolt is positioned too internally, as the individual walks, the knee joint's movement can create a scenario where the distal part of the prosthesis swings outward in an unintended lateral direction during the swing phase of gait. This motion can resemble a whipping effect, where the prosthesis rotates away from the midline of the body, producing a lateral whip.

Alignment of the knee bolt plays a critical role in ensuring smooth and natural gait mechanics. If the knee bolt is excessively internally rotated, it directly impacts how the weight is distributed and how the prosthesis swings through the air. A proper knee alignment must allow for optimal swing and stability; deviations, such as excessive internal rotation, can lead to compensatory movements that manifest as the lateral whip.

Other factors like weak lateral stabilizers, a prosthesis being too short, or misconfigured socket alignment may contribute to stability or gait issues but are not as directly connected to the specific mechanism of a lateral whip as internal rotation of the knee bolt is. Thus, understanding the impact of knee bolt alignment on gait dynamics is essential in managing and preventing such phenomena in transfemoral