Intermetatarsal Glide Assessment

Question 1

Patient Position

Answer 1

Supine or sitting on the table with knees extended

Question 2

Examiner Position

Answer 2

Standing in front of patient’s feet.
One hand grasping the 1st MT head.
Other hand grasping 2nd MT head.

Question 3

Evaluation Step 1

Answer 3

Stabilize one of the MT heads while moving the other in a plantar and dorsal direction.

Question 4

Evaluation Step 2

Answer 4

Repeat by moving to the lateral MT heads until all four intermetatarsal joints have been evaluated.

Question 5

Positive Test

Answer 5

Pain or increased glide or decreased glide compared bilaterally

Question 6

Implications

Answer 6

Trauma to the deep transverse MT ligament, interosseous ligament, or both.
Pain without the presence of laxity may indicate the presence of a neuroma.