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ORTHOTICS CPM EXAM STUDY
GUIDE BRAND NEW ACTUAL EXAM
WITH ANSWERS.
What is the name for a contralateral pelvic drop? - correct answer
-Trendelenberg sign or Gluteus Medius limp
Describe chondromalacia - correct answer -softness of the
articular cartilage usually involving patello-femoral joint
What is your orthotic recommendation for chondromalacia? -
correct answer -patellar stabilizing orthosis
A patient's KAFO has free motion knee, but the mechanical joint
is 1" distal to the anatomical joint. In flexion the resulting
pressures will be? - correct answer -proximal, posterior thigh -
distal, anterior thigh - brace migrates proximally
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Toe drag is a bigger problem in what phase of gate? Why? -
correct answer -initial swing-- if the toe does not clear the floor the
patient takes short steps and may
trip
Why do diabetics get foot ulcers? - correct answer -loss of
sensation - patient cannot tell when he is getting blisters or
pressure sores that can develop into ulcers if not detected in time
What is the advantage of an offset knee joint for treating
recurvatum? - correct answer -puts the weight bearing line
anterior to the knee joint, making it unnecessary to lock the knee
Describe Guillain Barre and its effects on the patient? - correct
answer -infectious polyneuritis with progressive muscular
weakness, distal to proximal, which may lead to paralysis.
Prognosis usually is full recovery, though in more severe cases
the patient may have some residual weakness in distal
extremities
Describe Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. - correct answer -
inherited progressive neuromuscular atrophy characterized by
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progressive weakness of the distal muscles of arms and feet
usually develops in childhood
When would you recommend a bail lock on a KAFO instead of
drop locks? - correct answer -only one functional hand, when
crutches or canes are used with bilateral KAFOs
Name two contraindications for plastic AFO's. - correct answer -
uncontrolled edema, sensitive skin
Name two methods of minimizing knee flexion torque at initial
contact in a lower extremity orthosis? - correct answer -beveled,
undercut, or SACH heel
What implications do weak hip flexors have in your design of a
KAFO? - correct answer -a lightweight design could encourage
hip flexion at swing phase
What is the RX rational for a rocker bottom shoe. - correct answer
-Simulate normal foot biomechanics and promote even weight
bearing distribution in a patient with limited or no ankle motion.
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A polio patient has a flail ankle, good knee muscles, good hip
muscles, full ROM at knee with 25recurvatum. Knee buckles
when tired. What orthosis do you recommend? Describe the
mechanical principles. - correct answer -lightweight KAFO, offset
or drop lock knee, solid plastic AFO section with rocker bottom
shoe or double adjustable ankle joint
How would you trim the AFO section for the above polio patient?
Why? - correct answer -solid ankle, anterior trim, flail ankle needs
stability in all plains
Six weeks post ACL repair - how do you cast? What two
mechanical principles do you want? - correct answer -cast in
slight flexion
1) prevent hyperextension
2) control rotation
Name 2 reasons why you might not use pretibial AFOs for a
patient who walks with a crouched gait? - correct answer -hip
flexion contracture, lack of ankle ROM, inability to don
ORTHOTICS CPM EXAM STUDY
GUIDE BRAND NEW ACTUAL EXAM
WITH ANSWERS.
What is the name for a contralateral pelvic drop? - correct answer
-Trendelenberg sign or Gluteus Medius limp
Describe chondromalacia - correct answer -softness of the
articular cartilage usually involving patello-femoral joint
What is your orthotic recommendation for chondromalacia? -
correct answer -patellar stabilizing orthosis
A patient's KAFO has free motion knee, but the mechanical joint
is 1" distal to the anatomical joint. In flexion the resulting
pressures will be? - correct answer -proximal, posterior thigh -
distal, anterior thigh - brace migrates proximally
, Page | 2
Toe drag is a bigger problem in what phase of gate? Why? -
correct answer -initial swing-- if the toe does not clear the floor the
patient takes short steps and may
trip
Why do diabetics get foot ulcers? - correct answer -loss of
sensation - patient cannot tell when he is getting blisters or
pressure sores that can develop into ulcers if not detected in time
What is the advantage of an offset knee joint for treating
recurvatum? - correct answer -puts the weight bearing line
anterior to the knee joint, making it unnecessary to lock the knee
Describe Guillain Barre and its effects on the patient? - correct
answer -infectious polyneuritis with progressive muscular
weakness, distal to proximal, which may lead to paralysis.
Prognosis usually is full recovery, though in more severe cases
the patient may have some residual weakness in distal
extremities
Describe Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. - correct answer -
inherited progressive neuromuscular atrophy characterized by
, Page | 3
progressive weakness of the distal muscles of arms and feet
usually develops in childhood
When would you recommend a bail lock on a KAFO instead of
drop locks? - correct answer -only one functional hand, when
crutches or canes are used with bilateral KAFOs
Name two contraindications for plastic AFO's. - correct answer -
uncontrolled edema, sensitive skin
Name two methods of minimizing knee flexion torque at initial
contact in a lower extremity orthosis? - correct answer -beveled,
undercut, or SACH heel
What implications do weak hip flexors have in your design of a
KAFO? - correct answer -a lightweight design could encourage
hip flexion at swing phase
What is the RX rational for a rocker bottom shoe. - correct answer
-Simulate normal foot biomechanics and promote even weight
bearing distribution in a patient with limited or no ankle motion.
, Page | 4
A polio patient has a flail ankle, good knee muscles, good hip
muscles, full ROM at knee with 25recurvatum. Knee buckles
when tired. What orthosis do you recommend? Describe the
mechanical principles. - correct answer -lightweight KAFO, offset
or drop lock knee, solid plastic AFO section with rocker bottom
shoe or double adjustable ankle joint
How would you trim the AFO section for the above polio patient?
Why? - correct answer -solid ankle, anterior trim, flail ankle needs
stability in all plains
Six weeks post ACL repair - how do you cast? What two
mechanical principles do you want? - correct answer -cast in
slight flexion
1) prevent hyperextension
2) control rotation
Name 2 reasons why you might not use pretibial AFOs for a
patient who walks with a crouched gait? - correct answer -hip
flexion contracture, lack of ankle ROM, inability to don
