Final NPTE Prosthetics/Orthotics
Exam and Accurate Detailed Answers
2025.
5 K levels overview - Answer 0 = inability to ambulate or transfer safely
1 = household ambulator
2 = limited community ambulator
3 = community ambulator
4 = active adult, athlete, and child
K-level 0 - Answer Unable to transfer safely
Unable to ambulate safely
Prosthesis does not improve QOL
K-level 1 - Answer Limited and unlimited household ambulator
Able to use prosthesis for ambulation/transfers
level surfaces at fixed cadence
K-level 2 - Answer Limited ambulation in community
can negotiate low level environmental barriers (stairs, curbs, uneven terrain)
K-level 3 - Answer ambulate within community at variable cadence
Can navigate most environmental barriers
K-level 4 - Answer Ability or potential for prosthetic ambulation beyond basic ambulation
skills, exhibiting high impact, stress or energy levels
typically a child, active adult, or athlete
Transtibial prosthetic
What happens during IC to LR? - Answer knee flex between 8-10 degrees
, Excessive knee extension during IC to LR - Answer Extension makes limb longer and reduces
shock absorption, and increases energy expenditure
Patient complains of
1)sensation of walking uphill
2) anterior distal stump pain
Causes
1) too soft cushion heel = causes foot to PF too quickly. Think about it -- ankle PF promotes knee
extension, ankle DF promotes knee flexion
2) posteriorly displaced socket or anteriorly set prosthetic foot (line of gravity now anterior to
knee). Known as an extensor moment, and creates extension at the knee
3) weak quads
4) extensor spasticity
Transtibial prosthetic
Knee instability during IC to LR gait deviation - Answer Patient buckles into knee flexion
What does patient complain of?
1) feeling unstable
2) fear of falling
Top 2 causes
1) too hard cushion heel - does not allow for adequate plantarflexion. lack of plantarflexion -
compensates by flexing knee for shock absorption
2) anterior displaced socket or posterior set prosthetic foot - line of gravity posterior
Transtibial prosthetic
Wide based gait during MSt gait deviation - Answer During midstance, the prosthesis is held in
relative extension as the entire body weight is supported in SLS.
What is the gait deviation: BOS moved laterally as the prostehtic limb is placed more laterally.
This is accomplished by abducting the hip on the prosthetic side. Causes increased energy
Exam and Accurate Detailed Answers
2025.
5 K levels overview - Answer 0 = inability to ambulate or transfer safely
1 = household ambulator
2 = limited community ambulator
3 = community ambulator
4 = active adult, athlete, and child
K-level 0 - Answer Unable to transfer safely
Unable to ambulate safely
Prosthesis does not improve QOL
K-level 1 - Answer Limited and unlimited household ambulator
Able to use prosthesis for ambulation/transfers
level surfaces at fixed cadence
K-level 2 - Answer Limited ambulation in community
can negotiate low level environmental barriers (stairs, curbs, uneven terrain)
K-level 3 - Answer ambulate within community at variable cadence
Can navigate most environmental barriers
K-level 4 - Answer Ability or potential for prosthetic ambulation beyond basic ambulation
skills, exhibiting high impact, stress or energy levels
typically a child, active adult, or athlete
Transtibial prosthetic
What happens during IC to LR? - Answer knee flex between 8-10 degrees
, Excessive knee extension during IC to LR - Answer Extension makes limb longer and reduces
shock absorption, and increases energy expenditure
Patient complains of
1)sensation of walking uphill
2) anterior distal stump pain
Causes
1) too soft cushion heel = causes foot to PF too quickly. Think about it -- ankle PF promotes knee
extension, ankle DF promotes knee flexion
2) posteriorly displaced socket or anteriorly set prosthetic foot (line of gravity now anterior to
knee). Known as an extensor moment, and creates extension at the knee
3) weak quads
4) extensor spasticity
Transtibial prosthetic
Knee instability during IC to LR gait deviation - Answer Patient buckles into knee flexion
What does patient complain of?
1) feeling unstable
2) fear of falling
Top 2 causes
1) too hard cushion heel - does not allow for adequate plantarflexion. lack of plantarflexion -
compensates by flexing knee for shock absorption
2) anterior displaced socket or posterior set prosthetic foot - line of gravity posterior
Transtibial prosthetic
Wide based gait during MSt gait deviation - Answer During midstance, the prosthesis is held in
relative extension as the entire body weight is supported in SLS.
What is the gait deviation: BOS moved laterally as the prostehtic limb is placed more laterally.
This is accomplished by abducting the hip on the prosthetic side. Causes increased energy
