Which issue is likely to cause circumducted gait in TF prosthetics?

Circumducted gait, characterized by a wide arc during the swing phase of walking, can arise from several mechanical factors associated with transfemoral (TF) prosthetics. The identified issue of excessive friction at the knee leading to circumducted gait is particularly significant.

When the friction at the knee is too great, it complicates the ability of the prosthesis to allow for smooth flexion and extension during the gait cycle. The excessive resistance can inhibit proper knee motion, causing the user to adopt a compensatory strategy, such as circumduction. This allows the individual to complete the swing phase while avoiding direct flexion at the knee, as it may feel unstable or difficult to control due to the friction. Consequently, the user may swing the leg outward rather than straight forward, resulting in the characteristic circumducted gait pattern.

While other aspects, such as the length of the prosthesis, socket fit, and alignment of the foot, can all impact gait patterns, the connection between knee friction and the ability to successfully initiate and complete the swing phase is critical in understanding the mechanics behind circumducted gait.