PTA Board Exam 2025 Questions
and Answers
Ataxic - ✔✔A gait pattern characterized by staggering and unsteadiness.
There is usually a wide base of support and movements are exaggerated.
Double Step - ✔✔A gait pattern which alternate steps are of a different length or at a
different rate.
Equine - ✔✔A gait pattern characterized by high steps; usually involves excessive
activity of the gastrocnemius.
Festinating - ✔✔A gait pattern where a patient walks on toes as though pushed.
It starts slowly, increases, and may continue until the patient grasps an object in order
to stop.
Spastic - ✔✔A gait pattern with stiff movement, toes seeming to catch and drag, legs
held together, and hip and knee joints slightly flex.
Steppage - ✔✔A gait pattern in which the feet and toes are lifted through hip and knee
flexion to excessive heights; usually secondary to dorsiflexor weakness.
The foot will SLAP at initial contact with the ground secondary to the decreased
control.
Tabetic - ✔✔A high stepping ataxic gait pattern in which the feet slap the ground.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY OLIVIA WEST, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, Vaulting - ✔✔A gait pattern where the swing leg advances by compensating through
the combination of elevation of the pelvis and plantar flexion of the stance leg.
Contusion - ✔✔A sudden blow to a part of the body that can result in mild to severe
damage to superficial and deep structures.
Treatment includes AROM, ice and compression
Sprain - ✔✔An acute injury involving a ligament.
Strain - ✔✔An injury involving the musculotendinous unit that involves a muscle,
tendon, or their attachments to bone.
Reciprocating Gait Orthosis - ✔✔A derivative of the HKAFO and incorporate a cable
system to assist with advancement of the L.E. during gait.
Patient shifts weight onto a selected L.E., the cable system advances the opposite L.E.
Primarily used for patients with paraplegia.
Parapodiums - ✔✔A standing frame designed to allow a patient to sit when necessary.
A prefabricated frame and ambulation is achieved by shifting weight and rocking the
base across the floor.
Primarily used by pediatric population.
Corset - ✔✔Constructed of fabric and may have metal uprights within the material to
provide abdominal compression and support.
Utilized to provide pressure and relieve pain associated with mild and low back
pathologies.
Milwaukee Orthosis - ✔✔Designed to promote realignment of the spine due to scoliotic
curvature.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY OLIVIA WEST, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
and Answers
Ataxic - ✔✔A gait pattern characterized by staggering and unsteadiness.
There is usually a wide base of support and movements are exaggerated.
Double Step - ✔✔A gait pattern which alternate steps are of a different length or at a
different rate.
Equine - ✔✔A gait pattern characterized by high steps; usually involves excessive
activity of the gastrocnemius.
Festinating - ✔✔A gait pattern where a patient walks on toes as though pushed.
It starts slowly, increases, and may continue until the patient grasps an object in order
to stop.
Spastic - ✔✔A gait pattern with stiff movement, toes seeming to catch and drag, legs
held together, and hip and knee joints slightly flex.
Steppage - ✔✔A gait pattern in which the feet and toes are lifted through hip and knee
flexion to excessive heights; usually secondary to dorsiflexor weakness.
The foot will SLAP at initial contact with the ground secondary to the decreased
control.
Tabetic - ✔✔A high stepping ataxic gait pattern in which the feet slap the ground.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY OLIVIA WEST, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, Vaulting - ✔✔A gait pattern where the swing leg advances by compensating through
the combination of elevation of the pelvis and plantar flexion of the stance leg.
Contusion - ✔✔A sudden blow to a part of the body that can result in mild to severe
damage to superficial and deep structures.
Treatment includes AROM, ice and compression
Sprain - ✔✔An acute injury involving a ligament.
Strain - ✔✔An injury involving the musculotendinous unit that involves a muscle,
tendon, or their attachments to bone.
Reciprocating Gait Orthosis - ✔✔A derivative of the HKAFO and incorporate a cable
system to assist with advancement of the L.E. during gait.
Patient shifts weight onto a selected L.E., the cable system advances the opposite L.E.
Primarily used for patients with paraplegia.
Parapodiums - ✔✔A standing frame designed to allow a patient to sit when necessary.
A prefabricated frame and ambulation is achieved by shifting weight and rocking the
base across the floor.
Primarily used by pediatric population.
Corset - ✔✔Constructed of fabric and may have metal uprights within the material to
provide abdominal compression and support.
Utilized to provide pressure and relieve pain associated with mild and low back
pathologies.
Milwaukee Orthosis - ✔✔Designed to promote realignment of the spine due to scoliotic
curvature.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY OLIVIA WEST, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
