MMT Upper Extremity Testing 5

Question 1

What distinguishes a Grade 4 from a Grade 5 MMT score in clinical practice?

Accepted Answer

Grade 5 tolerates maximum resistance while grade 4 breaks with strong resistance

Answer

Grade 5 (Normal) withstands maximum examiner resistance, whereas Grade 4 (Good) yields before maximum force is reached.

Question 2

When testing the lumbricals of the hand, the examiner stabilizes the metacarpophalangeal joint in extension and asks the patient to flex the:

Accepted Answer

Proximal interphalangeal joints while keeping the DIPs extended

Answer

The lumbricals flex the MCPs and extend the IPs; testing involves stabilizing the MCP and asking for IP extension while the MCPs are held.

Question 3

Which substitute movement should the examiner watch for during MMT of the anterior deltoid?

Accepted Answer

Trunk extension to assist shoulder flexion

Answer

Patients with weak anterior deltoid often lean back (trunk extension) to use momentum and gravity assistance to raise the arm.

Question 4

What is the significance of testing the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) separately from the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP)?

Accepted Answer

FDS flexes the PIP joint while FDP flexes the DIP; they have different nerve supplies

Answer

FDS (median nerve) flexes the PIP joint and FDP (median and ulnar) flexes the DIP; isolating each reveals specific nerve or tendon lesions.

Question 5

During MMT of the lower trapezius, the patient is prone and the arm is raised to approximately:

Accepted Answer

120–130° elevation (overhead)

Answer

The lower trapezius is best tested with the arm at 120–130° elevation, aligning it with the lower fiber direction for maximal recruitment.

(MMT) Manual Muscle Testing Practice Test