MMT Trunk Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During trunk flexion MMT, the patient is unable to lift the head but can flex the upper cervical spine. Which grade is assigned?
- Grade 1 (Correct answer)
- Grade 2
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
Correct answer: Grade 1
Grade 1 indicates visible or palpable muscle contraction without movement, such as neck flexor activity without trunk lifting.
Question 2: Which muscle is the primary trunk extensor tested during prone MMT of the lower back?
- Iliopsoas
- Erector spinae (Correct answer)
- Rectus abdominis
- Quadratus lumborum
Correct answer: Erector spinae
The erector spinae group is the primary trunk extensor and is tested in the prone position during MMT.
Question 3: A patient can complete full trunk lateral flexion against gravity but yields to minimal resistance. What MMT grade applies?
- Grade 3
- Grade 3+
- Grade 4 (Correct answer)
- Grade 4-
Correct answer: Grade 4
Grade 4 means the muscle completes full range against gravity and tolerates some but not full resistance.
Question 4: When testing trunk rotation, the examiner asks the patient to rotate the upper trunk while in the supine position. Which muscles are the prime movers?
- Erector spinae and multifidus
- Internal and external obliques (Correct answer)
- Transversus abdominis and rectus abdominis
- Latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior
Correct answer: Internal and external obliques
Trunk rotation is primarily produced by the internal oblique on the ipsilateral side and the external oblique on the contralateral side.
Question 5: For Grade 3 trunk extension, what is the minimum positional requirement in a standard MMT?
- Patient lifts trunk off table in prone with hands behind back (Correct answer)
- Patient lifts trunk against gravity in sitting
- Patient extends trunk in sidelying against gravity eliminated
- Patient holds trunk extended for 10 seconds in standing
Correct answer: Patient lifts trunk off table in prone with hands behind back
Grade 3 trunk extension requires the patient to lift the upper trunk off the table in prone with hands behind the back, completing range against gravity.
Question 6: Which positioning modification is used for trunk flexion MMT to test Grade 2 (gravity-eliminated)?
- Sidelying with the trunk supported on a table (Correct answer)
- Supine with hips and knees flexed
- Sitting upright unsupported
- Prone with a pillow under the abdomen
Correct answer: Sidelying with the trunk supported on a table
Sidelying allows trunk flexion in a gravity-eliminated plane for Grade 2 testing.
Question 7: A patient with a T10 complete spinal cord injury would most likely demonstrate which trunk MMT finding?
- Full strength in all trunk muscles
- Grade 5 flexors, Grade 0 extensors below the lesion
- Grade 0 in muscles innervated below T10 with preserved upper trunk function (Correct answer)
- Normal trunk rotation only
Correct answer: Grade 0 in muscles innervated below T10 with preserved upper trunk function
A complete T10 injury spares muscles innervated above T10 while eliminating motor function below that level.
MMT Trunk Assessment 2
During trunk flexion MMT, the patient is unable to lift the head but can flex the upper cervical spine.
Which grade is assigned?