MMT Clinical Applications 3

Question 1

A patient with lateral epicondylitis is being assessed. Which MMT finding would most directly support this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Weakness of wrist extensors with pain on resisted wrist extension

Answer

Weakness of wrist flexors with pain on resisted wrist extension

Answer

Weakness of finger extensors without pain

Answer

Weakness of supinators with pain on resisted forearm pronation

Question 2

Which MMT position best isolates the middle trapezius while minimizing upper trapezius substitution?

Accepted Answer

Prone with shoulder at 90° abduction and elbow extended, resisting horizontal adduction

Answer

Seated with shoulder elevated against resistance

Answer

Prone with arm at side, resisting shoulder extension

Answer

Side-lying with shoulder at 90° and elbow flexed to 90°

Question 3

A patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy uses a Gowers' maneuver to rise from the floor. This sign primarily reflects weakness of which muscle group?

Accepted Answer

Hip extensors and knee extensors

Answer

Hip flexors and knee extensors

Answer

Hip abductors and ankle plantar flexors

Answer

Core stabilizers and elbow extensors

Question 4

During cervical spine assessment, weak shoulder shrug on MMT combined with weak head rotation to the opposite side suggests involvement of which structure?

Accepted Answer

Spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)

Answer

C3-C4 nerve roots

Answer

Phrenic nerve

Answer

C5-C6 nerve roots

Question 5

When testing the iliopsoas in a patient with a recent hip replacement, which modification is most important for safety?

Accepted Answer

Avoid hip flexion beyond 90° to prevent dislocation risk

Answer

Test in prone to reduce load on the hip

Answer

Apply resistance proximal to the knee rather than the ankle

Answer

Skip MMT and use functional assessment only

Question 6

A patient with foot drop following common peroneal nerve injury is tested. Which MMT finding pattern is expected?

Accepted Answer

Weakness of ankle dorsiflexion and eversion with intact plantar flexion and inversion

Answer

Weakness of ankle plantar flexion and inversion with intact dorsiflexion

Answer

Global ankle weakness including plantar flexion

Answer

Weakness of toe flexors only

Question 7

In which clinical scenario is it most appropriate to test a muscle in a gravity-eliminated position rather than the standard antigravity position?

Accepted Answer

When the muscle cannot complete full ROM against gravity (grade ≤2)

Answer

When the patient reports muscle pain during resisted testing

Answer

When the patient has poor endurance and fatigues quickly

Answer

When joint hypermobility is present