MMT Lower Extremity Testing 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During MMT of the gluteus maximus, what motion is being resisted?
- Hip flexion
- Hip abduction
- Hip extension (Correct answer)
- Hip internal rotation
Correct answer: Hip extension
The gluteus maximus is the primary hip extensor and is tested in prone with resistance applied to the posterior thigh.
Question 2: A patient in side-lying moves their lower extremity through full ROM in the gravity-eliminated plane. What grade is recorded?
- Grade 1
- Grade 2 (Correct answer)
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
Correct answer: Grade 2
Grade 2 (Poor) is assigned when the patient completes full ROM only in a gravity-eliminated position.
Question 3: Which muscle group is primarily responsible for subtalar inversion and is tested by resisting foot inversion in plantarflexion?
- Peroneus longus and brevis
- Tibialis posterior (Correct answer)
- Extensor digitorum longus
- Flexor hallucis longus
Correct answer: Tibialis posterior
Tibialis posterior is the primary subtalar invertor and is tested by applying resistance to the medial forefoot during inversion with plantarflexion.
Question 4: When assigning a grade of 4- (minus) versus 4 (grade 4) in MMT, what is the determining factor?
- ROM completed
- Amount of resistance tolerated relative to expected normal (Correct answer)
- Patient's pain level
- Speed of movement
Correct answer: Amount of resistance tolerated relative to expected normal
A grade modifier (+ or −) reflects slight variations in resistance tolerance or ROM completion relative to the standard grade definition.
Question 5: Which position is used to gravity-eliminate hip adduction for a Grade 2 test?
- Supine with legs flat
- Prone with legs extended
- Side-lying with test limb lowermost (Correct answer)
- Sitting
Correct answer: Side-lying with test limb lowermost
Placing the test limb lowermost in side-lying allows the adductors to move the limb toward the upper limb without lifting against gravity.
Question 6: Weakness of the peroneus longus and brevis most commonly results from compromise of which nerve?
- Tibial nerve
- Femoral nerve
- Superficial peroneal nerve (Correct answer)
- Sural nerve
Correct answer: Superficial peroneal nerve
The peroneus longus and brevis (evertors) are innervated by the superficial peroneal nerve, a branch of the common peroneal nerve.
Question 7: What is the standardized therapist hand placement when resisting knee extension in the seated position?
- Proximal to the patella on the anterior thigh
- Distal to the knee on the anterior lower leg (proximal to the ankle) (Correct answer)
- Over the tibial tuberosity
- Posterior to the knee joint
Correct answer: Distal to the knee on the anterior lower leg (proximal to the ankle)
Resistance is applied to the anterior aspect of the lower leg just proximal to the ankle to create the greatest lever arm for testing quadriceps strength.
MMT Lower Extremity Testing 3
During MMT of the gluteus maximus, what motion is being resisted?