A cause of crouch is what?

• A. Insufficient soleus strength
• B. Excessive calf strength
• C. Strong hip flexors
• D. Hyperactive patellar tendon

Answer: (A)

Crouch gait mostly comes from weakness of the ankle plantarflexors, especially the soleus. When these muscles can’t generate enough plantarflexion force in late stance, the tibia doesn’t progress smoothly and the knee tends to stay flexed to keep the body stable and supported. That knee and ankle pattern gives the characteristic crouched posture during stance.

If the calf were excessively strong, it would push the ankle into stronger plantarflexion, often leading to toe-walking or an equinus pattern rather than crouching. Strong hip flexors can pull the thigh into flexion, but crouch is driven by knee/ankle mechanics during stance, not hip flexor strength alone. A hyperactive patellar tendon (quadriceps overactivity) would tend to extend the knee more, not maintain it in a flexed, crouched position.