MMT Upper Extremity Testing 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which muscle is specifically tested when the examiner resists adduction of a horizontally abducted arm with the elbow extended?
- Pectoralis minor
- Coracobrachialis
- Pectoralis major (sternal fibers) (Correct answer)
- Subscapularis
Correct answer: Pectoralis major (sternal fibers)
The sternal fibers of pectoralis major perform horizontal adduction from a horizontally abducted position, making this the ideal test position.
Question 2: What finding would you expect when testing a muscle graded 1 (Trace) on MMT?
- No visible or palpable contraction
- Visible or palpable contraction with no movement (Correct answer)
- Movement through partial ROM gravity-eliminated
- Movement through full ROM gravity-eliminated
Correct answer: Visible or palpable contraction with no movement
Grade 1 (Trace) indicates a visible or palpable muscle contraction but insufficient force to produce joint movement.
Question 3: During MMT of the triceps, if the patient is tested in the gravity-eliminated plane, where is the arm positioned?
- Shoulder at 90° flexion, testing elbow extension horizontally (Correct answer)
- Shoulder at 0°, testing elbow extension vertically
- Shoulder at 90° abduction, testing elbow extension
- Shoulder at 45° flexion, testing elbow extension
Correct answer: Shoulder at 90° flexion, testing elbow extension horizontally
With the shoulder flexed to 90°, elbow extension occurs in the horizontal plane, eliminating gravity for a Grade 2 triceps test.
Question 4: The 'empty can' position used in some MMT protocols tests which muscle?
- Infraspinatus
- Supraspinatus (Correct answer)
- Subscapularis
- Teres minor
Correct answer: Supraspinatus
The empty can test (arm at 90° in scapular plane, internally rotated) loads the supraspinatus and is used alongside MMT.
Question 5: When grading finger flexors, which grade indicates the patient can flex the fingers through full ROM against gravity but not against any added resistance?
- Grade 2
- Grade 3 (Correct answer)
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
Correct answer: Grade 3
Grade 3 (Fair) signifies full range of motion against gravity with no additional resistance.
Question 6: Which position gravity-eliminates the wrist extensors during MMT?
- Forearm pronated on a table surface (Correct answer)
- Forearm in neutral hanging vertically
- Forearm supinated with wrist over table edge
- Forearm pronated with wrist over table edge
Correct answer: Forearm pronated on a table surface
With the forearm pronated and resting flat, wrist extension occurs in the horizontal plane, gravity-eliminating the movement.
Question 7: Which muscle is assessed by asking the patient to pinch their index finger and thumb together while the examiner attempts to pull them apart?
- Flexor digitorum superficialis
- First dorsal interosseous
- Opponens pollicis
- Adductor pollicis (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Adductor pollicis
Adductor pollicis is primarily responsible for thumb adduction tested by key pinch (Froment's sign variation).
MMT Upper Extremity Testing 3
Which muscle is specifically tested when the examiner resists adduction of a horizontally abducted arm with the elbow extended?