MMT Upper Extremity Testing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When testing the deltoid (middle fibers) for MMT, the patient's arm is positioned in which plane?
- Sagittal plane with elbow flexed
- Frontal plane at 90° abduction (Correct answer)
- Horizontal plane at shoulder height
- Scapular plane at 45° abduction
Correct answer: Frontal plane at 90° abduction
Middle deltoid testing is performed with the arm abducted to 90° in the frontal plane while the examiner applies downward resistance.
Question 2: A grade 2 (Poor) MMT score for the biceps brachii indicates the muscle can:
- Move through full ROM against gravity
- Move through full ROM with gravity eliminated (Correct answer)
- Move through partial ROM with gravity eliminated
- Contract but produce no joint movement
Correct answer: Move through full ROM with gravity eliminated
Grade 2 (Poor) means the muscle can complete full range of motion only when gravity is eliminated.
Question 3: Which nerve root level is primarily tested when assessing wrist extensor strength in MMT?
- C5
- C6 (Correct answer)
- C7
- C8
Correct answer: C6
Wrist extensors (ECRL and ECRB) are primarily innervated at C6 via the radial nerve.
Question 4: During MMT of the supraspinatus, the arm is positioned in the scapular plane at approximately:
- 30° elevation
- 60° elevation (Correct answer)
- 90° elevation
- 120° elevation
Correct answer: 60° elevation
The supraspinatus is tested with the arm at ~60° elevation in the scapular plane (30° anterior to the frontal plane) to isolate it from the deltoid.
Question 5: Which MMT position is used to gravity-eliminate the shoulder external rotators?
- Side-lying with arm at side, elbow at 90° (Correct answer)
- Seated with arm horizontally abducted
- Prone with arm hanging off table
- Supine with arm at 90° abduction
Correct answer: Side-lying with arm at side, elbow at 90°
In side-lying with the elbow bent to 90°, the forearm moves horizontally, eliminating gravity for shoulder external rotation testing.
Question 6: In MMT, which grade describes a muscle that holds the test position against gravity but breaks with minimal resistance?
- Grade 2+
- Grade 3
- Grade 3+
- Grade 4- (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Grade 4-
Grade 4- (Poor minus or Fair minus) means the muscle maintains the position against gravity but yields to minimal examiner resistance.
Question 7: To isolate the pronator teres during MMT, the elbow should be positioned at:
- Full extension
- 90° flexion (Correct answer)
- 45° flexion
- Full flexion
Correct answer: 90° flexion
Testing pronator teres with the elbow at 90° flexion and resistance applied to forearm rotation best isolates this muscle.
MMT Upper Extremity Testing 2
When testing the deltoid (middle fibers) for MMT, the patient's arm is positioned in which plane?