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MMT Spine and Trunk

This document describes muscle performance tests for the spine and trunk. It lists various tests to assess strength of neck flexors, abdominals, back extensors, quadratus lumborum, lateral and oblique trunk flexors. The tests involve having the patient in different positions (supine, prone, side-lying) while the physical therapist applies resistance to evaluate the patient's ability to move or hold certain positions against gravity or the therapist's force. Grading scales from 0-5 are provided for some tests to quantify strength.

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257 views4 pages

MMT Spine and Trunk

This document describes muscle performance tests for the spine and trunk. It lists various tests to assess strength of neck flexors, abdominals, back extensors, quadratus lumborum, lateral and oblique trunk flexors. The tests involve having the patient in different positions (supine, prone, side-lying) while the physical therapist applies resistance to evaluate the patient's ability to move or hold certain positions against gravity or the therapist's force. Grading scales from 0-5 are provided for some tests to quantify strength.

Uploaded by

liz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Muscle Performance (MMT)

SPINE AND TRUNK:


-

Anterior Neck Flexors:


o Patient supine/ if abdominals weak stabilize the thorax
o Pt. flex chin to chest PT force against forehead (posterior and
curvilinear)

Deep neck flexors


o Pt. tuck chin to chest/ raise head off table
o PT counts amount of time the pt. can hold (30-40 sec. ideal)
o Look for chin coming up ---- test of endurance
Anterolateral neck flexors (SCM and scalenes)
o Pt. supine with elbows bend and hands beside head
Face turned away from side being tested
o PT force against temporal region of head in oblique ad posterior
direction

Posterolateral neck flexors (semispinalis capitis and cervicis/ splenius capitis


and cervicis)
o Pt.: prone with elbows bend and hands overhead resting on table
Face turned toward side being tested
o PT: force against posterolateral aspect of head in an anterolateral
direction
If cant put hands above head put on stomach

Upper Trap
o Pt: sitting/ shoulder slightly elevated/ head side bent to side being
tested
o PT provides force with one hand inferior on shoulder and medially
against side of head
Upper Abdominals
o Pt. supine with legs extended and back flat
o Test:
1. Trunk Curl Phase:
2. Hip flex. Phase:
o Resistance against gravity
o PT doesnt hold feet until hip flexion phase (after pt. has demonstrated
ability to curl up)
Lower Abs:
o Pt. supine with arms crossed over chest
o PT assist pt. in raising legs (cue to flatten back on table)
o Patient lowers legs to the table while PT looks for lordosis/ extension
Back extensors (Erector Spinae)
o Patient prone/ hands clasped behind butt or head
o PT stabilizes legs and instructs pt. to extend against gravity
o If there appear to be weakness hip flexors/extensors need to also be
assessed

Quadratus Lumborum
o Pt. prone with legs in slight Ext. and ABD
o PT asks pt. to hike hip and provides traction force to LE opposite to line
of pull of the QL

Lateral Trunk Flexors


o Pt: Side lying with head/ upper trunk/ pelvis in a straight line
Top arm extended and underarm across chest
o PT stabilizes patients legs and ask pt. to raise trunk directly up (no rot)
against gravity

Clinical Test: Side plank at least 30 seconds

Oblique Trunk Flexors


o Patient is supine, PT puts pt. in the position of trunk flexion and
rotation
o Gravity provides resistance while pt. holds position
o Grading the position:
5) Normal: pt. can hold test position with hands behind head
4) Good: pt. can hold test position with arms folded across chest
3+) Fair: pt. can hold test position with arms extended
3) pt. can hold trunk in enough flexion and rotation to raise both scaps
from table

Clinical Test: have pt. supine and see if they can rotate up toward
hands (twist sit up)

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