In the patellar tendon bearing (PTB) socket used for a transtibial prosthesis, the area designed to take the major share of body weight is the:

• A Patellar tendon bar just inferior to the patella ✓
• B Head of the fibula
• C Distal end of the tibial stump
• D Tibial crest

Explanation

The PTB concept distributes load onto pressure-tolerant tissues, with the patellar tendon bar carrying the principal load, assisted by the medial tibial flare and anterior compartment muscles. Pressure-sensitive areas, including the tibial crest, fibular head, distal tibia and hamstring tendons, are relieved rather than loaded. Loading the stump tip or tibial crest causes pain and skin breakdown, so options C and D are wrong.

Reference: Maheshwari's Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.