ORTHOTICS BOARD EXAM SCRIPT 2025/2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔B. lateral thigh distal to the GT, lateral aspect of the foot and the medial condyle of
the femur - ✔✔For correction of genu valgum, forces should be applied over the:
A. lateral condyle of the femur, lateral aspect of the foot and the head of the fibula
B. Lateral thigh distal to the GT, lateral aspect of the foot and medial condyle of the
femur
C. Anterior thigh poplitial fossa and dorsal surface of the foot
D. perineum, dial aspect of the foot and lateral condyle of the femur
E. medial condyle of the femur, medial aspect of the foot and the head of the tibia
✔✔D. insure that the mechanical ankle axis coincides with the anatomical ankle axis in
the transverse plane - ✔✔the purpose of measuring external rotation of the ankle joint is
to:
A. determine total amount of internal rotation of the tibia in a normal adult
B. allow for toe out
C. determine amount of anterior deflection of the lateral sidebar
D. insure that the mechanical ankle axis coincides with the anatomical ankle axis in the
transverse plane
D. insure that the medial and lateral mechanical ankle axes are parallel in the coronal
plane
✔✔C. 10 degrees of varus or valgus, 20 degrees of anterior posterior angulation -
✔✔what is the maximum acceptable malalignment of a tibial fracture that can be
managed with an off the shelf fracture orthosis?
A. 5 degrees of valgus/varus, 30 degrees of anterior-posterior angulation
B. no more than 5 degrees of varus/valgus, 10 degrees of AP angulation
C. 10 degrees of varus/valgus, 20 degrees of AP angulation
D. 10 degrees of valgus, 30 degrees of AP angulation
✔✔A few degrees of relative DF - ✔✔for most patients with paraplegia to stand in
KAFOs they must be allowed to rest on their iliofemoral ligaments. In order to facilitate
this posture, how should the tibias be posistioned sagittally in relationship to the
ground?
✔✔osteogenesis imperfecta - ✔✔congenital osteoporosis, along with fractures before
and during birth is indicative of which condition
✔✔arthrogryposis - ✔✔-non-progressive condition characterized by multiple joint
contractures and involves muscle weakness
-found at birth
-most common form is amyoplasia (hands, wrist, elbows, shoulders, feet, hips and
knees are affected)
-severe conditions involve the jaw and spine
,✔✔spina bifida - ✔✔-birth defect that occurs when the spine and the spinal cord don't
form properly
-neural tube defects
✔✔spina bifida occulta - ✔✔-mildest form of spina bifida
-results in a small separation or gap in one or more vertebrae
-many pts dont even know they have it
-typically no signs or symptoms due to no nerve involvement
-may see hair/tuft, dimple, or birthmark above the spinal defect
✔✔meningocele - ✔✔form of spina bifida where the protective membranes around the
spinal cord push out through the opening of the vertebrae forming a sac filled with fluid
-the sac does not contain nerves so damage to the spinal cord are less likely (later
complications are possible)
✔✔myelomeningocele - ✔✔-most severe form of spina bifida
spinal canal is open along several vertebrae in the lower or middle back
-membranes and spinal nerves push through an opening at birth forming a sac on the
baby's back (typically exposing tissues and nerves)
-prone to life threatening infections
✔✔serial casts - ✔✔what is the best initial recommendation for a new born patient with
talipes equino varus?
✔✔club foot (talipes equinovarus) - ✔✔common foot abnormality where the foot points
downward and inward
-present at birth
-involves the foot and lower leg
-more common in males
✔✔denis browne orthosis - ✔✔-treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)
-cuffs around the baby's upper thigh that are attached to a bar to hold the hips and
knees flexes and hip abducted
✔✔developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) - ✔✔-dislocation of the hip caused by an
abnormal development of the hip joint in some babies
✔✔B. a lateral heel wedge - ✔✔a flexible hindfoot varus might be corrected using:
A. a metatarsal bar
B. a lateral heel wedge
C. a Thomas heel
D. a medial heel wedge
,✔✔Thomas heel - ✔✔a shoe correction used to bring the heel into varus and prevent
depression in the region of the head of the talus
✔✔D. a heel lift - ✔✔which of the following shoe modifications is most likely to be used
for a fixed equinus deformity?
A. a cushioned heel
B. a thomas heel
C. a reverse heel
D. a heel lift
✔✔half the distance betwee the adductor tubercle and the medial tibial plateau -
✔✔what is the correct location for the mechanical knee joint on a KAFO
✔✔unreliable family support, poor upper extremity strength, obesity, 20 degree hip
flexion contractures - ✔✔what are some contrindications for a RGO?
✔✔relive the metatarsal heads; elevate the transverse arch - ✔✔metatarsal pads
function to _____ as well as _____.
✔✔D. DF stop - ✔✔which of the following ankle joint controls would be indicated for a
patient with paralysis of the plantarflexors
A. DF assist
B. PF stop
C. PF assist
D. DF stop
✔✔A. 25mm proximal, 12mm anterior - ✔✔in relation to the apex of the great
trochanter, where is the mechanical hip joint located?
A. 25mm proximal, 12mm anterior
B. 25mm proximal, 12mm posterior
C. 25mm anterior, 12mm proximal
D. 25mm lateral, 12mm distal
✔✔femoral nerve - ✔✔what nerve innervates the quadriceps?
✔✔L2-L4 - ✔✔what is the nerve root of the obturator nerve
✔✔obturator externus, adductor longus, adductor brevis, part of the adductor magnus,
gracilis, pectineus - ✔✔what muscles are innervated by the obturator nerve?
✔✔- inversion of the hindfoot
-adduction of the forefoot
-PF of the ankle - ✔✔what are the components of supination of the foot-ankle complex?
, ✔✔-eversion of the hindfoot
-abduction of the forefoot
-DF of the ankle - ✔✔what are the components of pronation of the foot-ankle complex?
✔✔PF of the heel at IC (think knee stability) - ✔✔what motion does a cushioned heel
simulate?
✔✔C. 94 mm (11mm wider than malleoli?) - ✔✔if the oblique diameter of the anatomical
malleoli is 83mm, the inside diameter of the mechanical ankle joint (using a clevis joint)
is?
A. 103 mm
B. 100 mm
C. 94 mm
D. 83 mm
✔✔Genurecurvatum, coronal instability of the knee - ✔✔what are some
contraindications for a floor reaction AFO?
✔✔D. A and B - ✔✔a patient with an inferior lumbar myelomeningocele may develop
hip flexion contractures due to:
A. lack of hip extensors to act as antagonists
B. parental non-compliance with home stretching programs
C. good knee extension
D. A and B
✔✔C. between the stirrup and the sole - ✔✔when putting a heel wedge on a shoe (in
conjunction with a conventional AFO) to address a flexible varus hindfoot, the wedge
should be placed:
A. between the stirrup and heel of the shoe
B. between the shank and the sole
C. between the stirrup and the sole
D. below the heel of the shoe
✔✔UCBL - ✔✔-stabilizes subtalar and tarsal joints in stance
-treats rear foot valgus/varus and flexible pes planus
✔✔arthritic ankle/foot
rigid foot - ✔✔what are some contraindications of a UCBL
✔✔DAFO - ✔✔-dynamic
- stabilize subtalar and tarsal joints
-treats flexible pes planus, mild/modertate spastic diplegia/hemiplegia CP or hypotonic
CP
✔✔rigid foot - ✔✔what is a contraindication of a DAFO
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔B. lateral thigh distal to the GT, lateral aspect of the foot and the medial condyle of
the femur - ✔✔For correction of genu valgum, forces should be applied over the:
A. lateral condyle of the femur, lateral aspect of the foot and the head of the fibula
B. Lateral thigh distal to the GT, lateral aspect of the foot and medial condyle of the
femur
C. Anterior thigh poplitial fossa and dorsal surface of the foot
D. perineum, dial aspect of the foot and lateral condyle of the femur
E. medial condyle of the femur, medial aspect of the foot and the head of the tibia
✔✔D. insure that the mechanical ankle axis coincides with the anatomical ankle axis in
the transverse plane - ✔✔the purpose of measuring external rotation of the ankle joint is
to:
A. determine total amount of internal rotation of the tibia in a normal adult
B. allow for toe out
C. determine amount of anterior deflection of the lateral sidebar
D. insure that the mechanical ankle axis coincides with the anatomical ankle axis in the
transverse plane
D. insure that the medial and lateral mechanical ankle axes are parallel in the coronal
plane
✔✔C. 10 degrees of varus or valgus, 20 degrees of anterior posterior angulation -
✔✔what is the maximum acceptable malalignment of a tibial fracture that can be
managed with an off the shelf fracture orthosis?
A. 5 degrees of valgus/varus, 30 degrees of anterior-posterior angulation
B. no more than 5 degrees of varus/valgus, 10 degrees of AP angulation
C. 10 degrees of varus/valgus, 20 degrees of AP angulation
D. 10 degrees of valgus, 30 degrees of AP angulation
✔✔A few degrees of relative DF - ✔✔for most patients with paraplegia to stand in
KAFOs they must be allowed to rest on their iliofemoral ligaments. In order to facilitate
this posture, how should the tibias be posistioned sagittally in relationship to the
ground?
✔✔osteogenesis imperfecta - ✔✔congenital osteoporosis, along with fractures before
and during birth is indicative of which condition
✔✔arthrogryposis - ✔✔-non-progressive condition characterized by multiple joint
contractures and involves muscle weakness
-found at birth
-most common form is amyoplasia (hands, wrist, elbows, shoulders, feet, hips and
knees are affected)
-severe conditions involve the jaw and spine
,✔✔spina bifida - ✔✔-birth defect that occurs when the spine and the spinal cord don't
form properly
-neural tube defects
✔✔spina bifida occulta - ✔✔-mildest form of spina bifida
-results in a small separation or gap in one or more vertebrae
-many pts dont even know they have it
-typically no signs or symptoms due to no nerve involvement
-may see hair/tuft, dimple, or birthmark above the spinal defect
✔✔meningocele - ✔✔form of spina bifida where the protective membranes around the
spinal cord push out through the opening of the vertebrae forming a sac filled with fluid
-the sac does not contain nerves so damage to the spinal cord are less likely (later
complications are possible)
✔✔myelomeningocele - ✔✔-most severe form of spina bifida
spinal canal is open along several vertebrae in the lower or middle back
-membranes and spinal nerves push through an opening at birth forming a sac on the
baby's back (typically exposing tissues and nerves)
-prone to life threatening infections
✔✔serial casts - ✔✔what is the best initial recommendation for a new born patient with
talipes equino varus?
✔✔club foot (talipes equinovarus) - ✔✔common foot abnormality where the foot points
downward and inward
-present at birth
-involves the foot and lower leg
-more common in males
✔✔denis browne orthosis - ✔✔-treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)
-cuffs around the baby's upper thigh that are attached to a bar to hold the hips and
knees flexes and hip abducted
✔✔developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) - ✔✔-dislocation of the hip caused by an
abnormal development of the hip joint in some babies
✔✔B. a lateral heel wedge - ✔✔a flexible hindfoot varus might be corrected using:
A. a metatarsal bar
B. a lateral heel wedge
C. a Thomas heel
D. a medial heel wedge
,✔✔Thomas heel - ✔✔a shoe correction used to bring the heel into varus and prevent
depression in the region of the head of the talus
✔✔D. a heel lift - ✔✔which of the following shoe modifications is most likely to be used
for a fixed equinus deformity?
A. a cushioned heel
B. a thomas heel
C. a reverse heel
D. a heel lift
✔✔half the distance betwee the adductor tubercle and the medial tibial plateau -
✔✔what is the correct location for the mechanical knee joint on a KAFO
✔✔unreliable family support, poor upper extremity strength, obesity, 20 degree hip
flexion contractures - ✔✔what are some contrindications for a RGO?
✔✔relive the metatarsal heads; elevate the transverse arch - ✔✔metatarsal pads
function to _____ as well as _____.
✔✔D. DF stop - ✔✔which of the following ankle joint controls would be indicated for a
patient with paralysis of the plantarflexors
A. DF assist
B. PF stop
C. PF assist
D. DF stop
✔✔A. 25mm proximal, 12mm anterior - ✔✔in relation to the apex of the great
trochanter, where is the mechanical hip joint located?
A. 25mm proximal, 12mm anterior
B. 25mm proximal, 12mm posterior
C. 25mm anterior, 12mm proximal
D. 25mm lateral, 12mm distal
✔✔femoral nerve - ✔✔what nerve innervates the quadriceps?
✔✔L2-L4 - ✔✔what is the nerve root of the obturator nerve
✔✔obturator externus, adductor longus, adductor brevis, part of the adductor magnus,
gracilis, pectineus - ✔✔what muscles are innervated by the obturator nerve?
✔✔- inversion of the hindfoot
-adduction of the forefoot
-PF of the ankle - ✔✔what are the components of supination of the foot-ankle complex?
, ✔✔-eversion of the hindfoot
-abduction of the forefoot
-DF of the ankle - ✔✔what are the components of pronation of the foot-ankle complex?
✔✔PF of the heel at IC (think knee stability) - ✔✔what motion does a cushioned heel
simulate?
✔✔C. 94 mm (11mm wider than malleoli?) - ✔✔if the oblique diameter of the anatomical
malleoli is 83mm, the inside diameter of the mechanical ankle joint (using a clevis joint)
is?
A. 103 mm
B. 100 mm
C. 94 mm
D. 83 mm
✔✔Genurecurvatum, coronal instability of the knee - ✔✔what are some
contraindications for a floor reaction AFO?
✔✔D. A and B - ✔✔a patient with an inferior lumbar myelomeningocele may develop
hip flexion contractures due to:
A. lack of hip extensors to act as antagonists
B. parental non-compliance with home stretching programs
C. good knee extension
D. A and B
✔✔C. between the stirrup and the sole - ✔✔when putting a heel wedge on a shoe (in
conjunction with a conventional AFO) to address a flexible varus hindfoot, the wedge
should be placed:
A. between the stirrup and heel of the shoe
B. between the shank and the sole
C. between the stirrup and the sole
D. below the heel of the shoe
✔✔UCBL - ✔✔-stabilizes subtalar and tarsal joints in stance
-treats rear foot valgus/varus and flexible pes planus
✔✔arthritic ankle/foot
rigid foot - ✔✔what are some contraindications of a UCBL
✔✔DAFO - ✔✔-dynamic
- stabilize subtalar and tarsal joints
-treats flexible pes planus, mild/modertate spastic diplegia/hemiplegia CP or hypotonic
CP
✔✔rigid foot - ✔✔what is a contraindication of a DAFO
