A patient with a transtibial amputation shows weak adductors and strong abductors. What position would the limb tend to favor in standing?

• A. Abduction
• B. Adduction
• C. Adduction and lateral rotation
• D. Abduction and medial rotation

Answer: (A)

Stance alignment in the coronal plane is decided by the balance between hip adductors and abductors. The adductors pull the thigh toward the midline, providing medial stabilization, while the abductors pull it away from the midline. If the hip adductors are weak and the abductors are relatively strong, the outward (abducting) force dominates. Without sufficient medial stabilization, the residual limb will tend to drift into abduction when bearing weight. In a transtibial amputee, this results in the limb favoring an abducted position during standing, which is why the correct answer is abduction.