Muscle Length Testing

Question 1

what is the definition of muscle length?

Answer 1

the greatest extensibility of a muscle-tendon unit
maximal distance that can be achieved between the proximal and distal muscle attachments

Question 2

what are some factors that can contribute to a decrease in ROM?

Answer 2

muscle length
joint integrity
extensibility of the surrounding structures (capsule, ligaments, fascia, skin)

Question 3

what can muscle length testing be used to help determine?

Answer 3

if the length of an inactive (antagonist) muscle may be contributing to the lack of ROM at a joint

Question 4

what is the definition of passive insufficiency?

Answer 4

the inability of a muscle to lengthen to allow full ROM at all of the joints the muscle crosses

Question 5

what should the normal end feel be when performing muscle length testing?

Answer 5

firm - due to tension and resistance of the muscle

Question 6

what are the actions of the biceps?

Answer 6

elbow flexion
shoulder flexion
forearm supination

Question 7

what is the testing position for measuring the muscle length of the biceps?

Answer 7

supine
shoulder and arm extended off the edge of the table
place shoulder in full extension and pronation while keeping the elbow flexed
ask the patient to extend their elbow

Question 8

if the biceps brachii are shortened, what would you see during testing?

Answer 8

limited elbow extension when the shoulder is extended

Question 9

what are the actions of the triceps?

Answer 9

elbow extension
shoulder extension

Question 10

what is the testing position for measuring the muscle length of the triceps?

Answer 10

supine at the edge of examining table OR seated on table
place shoulder in full flexion and supination of the forearm
ask the patient to flex their elbow

Question 11

if the triceps are shortened, what would you see during testing?

Answer 11

limited elbow flexion with shoulder fully flexed

Question 12

what are the actions of FDP?

Answer 12

composite flexion (MCP, PIP, DIP)
wrist flexion

Question 13

what are the actions of FDS?

Answer 13

flat fist (MCP and PIP flexion)
wrist flexion

Question 14

what is the testing position for measuring the muscle length of FDP and FDS?

Answer 14

seated with arm supported on examining surface
forearm pronated and extended wrist and digits

Question 15

if the FDP and FDS are shortened, what would you see during testing?

Answer 15

wrist extension is limited with digit extension

Question 16

what are the actions of extensor digitorum, extensor indicis, and extensor digiti minimi?

Answer 16

extension of MCP, PIP, and DIP joints
wrist extension

Question 17

what is the testing position for measuring the muscle length of ED, EI, and EDM?

Answer 17

seated with arm supported on examining table
forearm pronated and wrist in neutral
patient is asked to flex wrist while making a fist

Question 18

if the ED, EI, and EMD are shortened, what would you see during testing?

Answer 18

limited wrist flexion when the elbow is extended and the hand is in a fist

Question 19

what are the actions of the lumbricals, PADs and DABs?

Answer 19

MCP joint flexion
PIP and DIP joint extension

Question 20

what is the testing position for measuring the muscle length of the lumbricals, PADs, and DABs?

Answer 20

seated with forearm and hand comfortably support with wrist in neutral
MCP, PIP, and DIP flexed
patient is asked to extend the MCP joint while keeping PIP and DIP flexed

Question 21

if the lumbricals, PADs, and DABs are shortened, what would you see during testing?

Answer 21

limited MCP extension with flexed PIP and DIP

Question 22

what is the name of the hip flexor muscle length test?

Answer 22

thomas test

Question 23

what is the testing position of the thomas test?

Answer 23

seated at end of examining table with lower thighs, knees, and legs off of the edge of the table in supine
passively flex hips while holding knees
lower tested hip into extension

Question 24

what is the differentiating test of rectus femoris in the thomas test?

Answer 24

normal test but with the knee extended
patient is able to extend hip to surface with knee extended, but is limited with knee flexion

Question 25

what is the differentiating test of sartorius in the thomas test?

Answer 25

as patient moves into thomas test, they will compensate with hip abduction and external rotation

Question 26

what is the differentiating test of tensor fascia lata in the thomas test?

Answer 26

hip moves into medial rotation and abduction when performing test

Question 27

what is the differentiating test of pectineus, adductor longus, and adductor brevis in the thomas test?

Answer 27

the hip moves into adduction when performing the test

Question 28

what is the name of the muscle length test that targets the TFL?

Answer 28

ober test

Question 29

what is the testing position of the ober test?

Answer 29

sidelying with tested hip on top
hip in neutral pelvis position, can flex bottom knee
slightly flex knee and abduct and extend hip to move TFL over greater trochanter
attempt to lower leg toward table

Question 30

what is the name of the muscle length test that targets the rectus femoris in the knee?

Answer 30

ely’s test

Question 31

what is the testing position of the ely’s test?

Answer 31

prone with both feet off the edge of the table
maintain neutral hip and flex tested knee

Question 32

what position would you place the patient in to test the muscle length of the hamstrings?

Answer 32

supine
hip flexed to 90 degrees while maintaining neutral ab/ad and rotation
extend knee to end ROM

Question 33

what is an alternative testing position for measuring hamstring muscle length?

Answer 33

knee straight, flex the hip in supine