A hip-locked HKAFO restricts gait to swing-to or swing-through. True or false?

• A. False
• B. It depends on the patient
• C. True
• D. Only swing-to

Answer: (C)

Locking the hip in a hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis immobilizes hip motion, so the leg cannot advance through hip flexion during swing. With the hip unable to flex to bring the thigh forward, forward progression depends on knee and ankle action and any upper-limb help. Because the hip cannot contribute to swing, the person can only advance the leg by bringing it up to the level of the opposite foot (swing-to) or by moving it past the opposite foot with assist from the arms (swing-through). Depending on strength and assistive device use, either swing-to or swing-through can occur, so the statement is true.