Which resting position is ideal for a patient with a transtibial amputation?

• A. Prone lying with knee flexed
• B. Supine with hip extended and knee flexed
• C. Supine with hip in neutral flexion and knee in extension
• D. Seated with residual limb elevated

Answer: (C)

Maintaining knee extension and a neutral hip position while resting helps prevent contractures that would interfere with prosthetic use. When the patient is supine with the hip in neutral and the knee extended, the residual limb stays in a straight, elongated alignment, which reduces the risk of knee flexion contractures and makes future prosthesis fitting easier.

Lying prone with the knee flexed would promote knee bending and not protect against knee contractures. A supine position with the hip extended and the knee flexed keeps the knee in a flexed state, increasing the risk of a knee flexion contracture. Seated with the residual limb elevated places the limb in an unsupported position that can encourage contractures and edema, hindering function and prosthetic planning.