MMT Lower Extremity Testing 4

Question 1

To isolate the short head of the biceps femoris during MMT, in what position should the hip be placed?

Accepted Answer

Hip flexed to slacken the long head

Answer

Because the long head of the biceps femoris crosses the hip, flexing the hip slackens it, allowing the short head (which only crosses the knee) to be isolated.

Question 2

During plantar flexion MMT graded at 5, how many single-limb heel raises should a healthy adult typically complete?

Accepted Answer

20 or more

Answer

A normal result on the single-limb heel-rise test is generally 20 or more repetitions; fewer repetitions suggest plantar flexor weakness below Grade 5.

Question 3

What compensatory movement should the examiner watch for when testing hip flexion MMT in the seated position?

Accepted Answer

Trunk flexion or posterior pelvic tilt substituting for hip flexion

Answer

Patients with weak hip flexors often lean the trunk forward or posteriorly tilt the pelvis to use gravity and trunk muscles to substitute for weak iliopsoas.

Question 4

A patient with an L4 nerve root lesion would most likely show weakness in which MMT test?

Accepted Answer

Ankle dorsiflexion and inversion

Answer

The tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior (dorsiflexion and inversion) are primarily L4-innervated; weakness in these muscles is a classic L4 finding.

Question 5

Which muscle's MMT specifically requires the examiner to resist toe flexion at the proximal phalanges of digits 2–5?

Accepted Answer

Flexor digitorum brevis

Answer

Flexor digitorum brevis flexes the middle phalanges of toes 2–5 at the proximal interphalangeal joints; resistance is applied to the proximal phalanges.

(MMT) Manual Muscle Testing Practice Test

(MMT) Manual Muscle Testing Practice Test

MMT Lower Extremity Testing 4