MMT Grading Systems 4

Question 1

Which MMT grade would most likely be recorded for a muscle that shows a flicker of contraction on palpation but produces no joint movement?

Accepted Answer

Grade 1

Answer

Grade 1 (Trace) is defined by a palpable or visible contraction without any resulting joint movement.

Question 2

In MMT documentation, the notation '3+/5' most accurately means:

Accepted Answer

Full ROM against gravity with minimal resistance overcome

Answer

A 3+/5 grade means the muscle completes full ROM against gravity and can overcome minimal examiner resistance.

Question 3

When the Kendall system assigns 50% strength, which Lovett equivalent does this correspond to?

Accepted Answer

Fair

Answer

In Kendall's system, 50% corresponds to 'Fair' (Grade 3), indicating full ROM against gravity only.

Question 4

Break testing in MMT refers to:

Accepted Answer

Asking the patient to hold a position while the examiner applies force to overcome it

Answer

Break testing involves the patient holding an end-range position while the examiner applies progressive force to determine if the hold can be 'broken.'

Question 5

What is the primary limitation of the standard 0–5 MMT scale when evaluating patients with Grade 4 or Grade 5 muscle strength?

Accepted Answer

It has poor sensitivity to distinguish strength differences within the high end of the scale

Answer

The scale is ordinal and lacks sensitivity at the upper range, making it difficult to detect small but clinically meaningful strength differences near normal.

(MMT) Manual Muscle Testing Practice Test

(MMT) Manual Muscle Testing Practice Test

MMT Grading Systems 4