MMT Techniques and Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When grading a muscle as 4+ on the MMT scale, what does the '+' modifier signify?
- The patient holds against strong resistance but breaks at the end of range
- The patient moves through full ROM against gravity with maximum resistance
- The patient holds against moderate resistance throughout the test
- The muscle is stronger than a grade 4 but weaker than a grade 5 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The muscle is stronger than a grade 4 but weaker than a grade 5
The '+' modifier indicates performance above the base grade but not reaching the next full grade level.
Question 2: Which MMT position is used to gravity-eliminate the hip flexors?
- Prone
- Side-lying on the tested side
- Supine with knees extended
- Side-lying on the untested side (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Side-lying on the untested side
Side-lying on the untested side allows the hip flexors to move the tested limb forward in a horizontal plane, eliminating gravity.
Question 3: What does palpating the muscle belly during MMT primarily help the examiner determine?
- The degree of joint swelling
- Whether the correct muscle is contracting and its tone (Correct answer)
- The patient's pain threshold
- The range of motion available
Correct answer: Whether the correct muscle is contracting and its tone
Palpation confirms that the target muscle is actively contracting and helps detect substitution patterns.
Question 4: During MMT of the wrist extensors, at which point in the range should resistance be applied for a make test?
- At the beginning of the range
- At the end of available range (Correct answer)
- At the midpoint of range
- At 45° of extension only
Correct answer: At the end of available range
In a make test, the patient pushes into the examiner's hand at end range while the examiner matches their force.
Question 5: What is the primary reason for stabilizing the proximal segment during MMT?
- To increase patient comfort
- To prevent substitution from proximal muscles (Correct answer)
- To ensure the distal segment moves freely
- To measure the exact ROM achieved
Correct answer: To prevent substitution from proximal muscles
Stabilizing the proximal segment prevents unwanted compensatory movement and isolates the target muscle.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the 'make test' approach in MMT?
- The examiner overcomes the patient's effort to move the limb
- The patient pushes against the examiner's stationary hand at end range (Correct answer)
- The patient holds a position while the examiner applies increasing force until the position breaks
- The examiner passively moves the limb and records resistance felt
Correct answer: The patient pushes against the examiner's stationary hand at end range
In the make test, the patient generates force into the examiner's unyielding hand, and the peak force is recorded.
Question 7: When testing the tibialis anterior for grade 3, which position is used?
- Prone with knee flexed
- Supine with knee extended and foot in plantar flexion
- Sitting with knee at 90° and foot free to move (Correct answer)
- Side-lying with hip in neutral
Correct answer: Sitting with knee at 90° and foot free to move
Sitting with the knee at 90° allows foot dorsiflexion and inversion against gravity, the standard grade 3 test position.
MMT Techniques and Procedures 3
When grading a muscle as 4+ on the MMT scale, what does the '+' modifier signify?