Wrist & Hand - Muscle Tests

Question 1

Flexor digitorum superficialis  
Patient Position?
Primary Contact?
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser?
Pressure?

Answer 1

Patient Position - Sitting. Wrist Neutral/Slight Extension. PIP joint flexed
Primary Contact - Palmar surface of middle phalanx
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser - MCP
Pressure - Towards extension
“Stop me from straightening your finger”

Question 2

Flexor digitorum profundus
Patient Position?
Primary Contact?
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser?
Pressure?

Answer 2

Patient Position - Sitting. Wrist in slight extension. Flexion of the DIP joint
Primary Contact - Distal Phalanx
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser - Proximal and middle phalanges
Pressure - towards extension

Question 3

Extensor digitorum
Position?
Primary Contact?
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser?
Pressure?

Answer 3

Patient Position - Sitting. Extension of MCP joints. IP joints relaxed
Primary Contact - Against dorsal surface of proximal phalanx
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser - Wrist
Pressure - Towards flexion

Question 4

Palmaris Longus
Position?
Primary Contact?
Pressure?

Answer 4

Patient Position - Sitting. Supination. Wrist and hand flexed and cupped
Primary Contact - Bilateral. Thenar and Hypothenar eminences
Pressure - Towards neutral. Trying to flatten the hand

Question 5

Flexor pollicus longus 
Position?
Primary Contact?
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser?
Pressure?

Answer 5

Patient Position - Sitting. Flexion of IP joint of thumb
Primary Contact - Distal phalanx
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser - Distal forearm
Pressure - Towards extension
“Stop me from trying to straighten your thumb”

Question 6

Extensor pollicus longus 
Position?
Primary Contact?
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser?
Pressure?

Answer 6

Patient Position - Sitting. Extension of IP joint of thumb
Primary Contact - Against dorsal side of distal phalanx
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser - Distal forearm
Pressure - Towards flexion

Question 7

Abductor pollicus longus 
Position?
Primary Contact?
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser?
Pressure?

Answer 7

Patient Position - Sitting. Thumb in abduction. Forearm semi supinated
Primary Contact - Distal phalanx
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser - Bottom of hand
Pressure - Towards ADduction

Question 8

Adductor pollicus 
Position?
Primary Contact?
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser?
Pressure?

Answer 8

Patient Position - Sitting. Thumb in adduction towards palm. Forearm supinated.
Primary Contact - Two fingers between palm and thumb
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser - Hold hand
Pressure - Towards ABduction

Question 9

Opponens pollicus 
Patient Position?
Primary Contact?
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser?
Pressure?

Answer 9

Patient Position - Sitting
Primary Contact -
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser -
Pressure -

Question 10

Opponens digiti minimi
Patient Position?
Primary Contact?
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser?
Pressure?

Answer 10

Patient Position - Sitting
Primary Contact -
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser -
Pressure -

Question 11

Abductor digiti minimi 
Patient Position?
Primary Contact?
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser?
Pressure?

Answer 11

Patient Position - Sitting. 5th digit abducted.
Primary Contact - Distal/middle phalanx of 5th digit
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser - Radial side of the hand
Pressure - Towards ADduction/midline

Question 12

Flexor digiti minimi
Patient Position?
Primary Contact?
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser?
Pressure?

Answer 12

Patient Position - Sitting. 5th MCP flexed, IP extended
Primary Contact - Distal/middle phalanx of 5th digit
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser - Dorsal surface of hand
Pressure - Towards flexion
“Resist my pressure. Stop me from straightening your pinky”

Question 13

Lumbricales 
Patient Position?
Primary Contact?
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser?
Pressure?

Answer 13

Patient Position - Sitting. MCP flexed. IPs extended.
Primary Contact - Bilateral. Proximal Phalanx palmar side. Middle Phalanx dorsal side.
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser -
Pressure - MCP towards extension. IP towards flexion

Question 14

Palmar interossei
Patient Position?
Primary Contact?
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser?
Pressure?

Answer 14

Patient Position - Sitting. Fingers ADducted. Forearm supinated.
Primary Contact - Midline of tested fingers.
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser - Against the adjacent finger
Pressure - Towards abduction
“Stop me from pulling your fingers apart”

Question 15

Dorsal interossei
Patient Position?
Primary Contact?
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser?
Pressure?

Answer 15

Patient Position - Sitting. Fingers ABducted. Forearm pronated.
Primary Contact - Lateral side of fingers being tested
Secondary Contact/Stabiliser - Adjacent finger
Pressure - Towards adduction
“Stop me from pushing your fingers together”