05-09a: Muscle Length Testing

Question 1

Characteristics of Muscle Length

Answer 1

• Must be short enough to provide stability (joint)
• Must be long enough to provide mobility (move)
• Tightness limiting ROM requires stretching and/or postural adjustments
• If too long, then needs strengthening and/or postural adjustments

Question 2

ROM and joints

Answer 2

• PROM can be limited/excessive due to intrinsic joint structures (within the joint) or by flexibility or length of the muscles crossing the joint

Question 3

Capsular end feel

Answer 3

• Leathery feel, a little give after end range

- Treated with joint techniques

Question 4

Muscular end feel

Answer 4

• Lengthening feel at end range

- Treated with muscle stretching techniques

Question 5

Principles of Muscle Length Training (5)

Answer 5

• Elongate in direction OPPOSITE of its action
• Assess resistance to passive lengthening
• Requires origin to be a fixed position while insertion is moved passively in the direction of lengthening (or vice versa)
• Stabilization is important to muscle lengthening
• Assess and document: 1) muscle length - ROM in degrees or inches/cm; 2) end feel
• Generally 2 joint or multi-joint muscles that are shortened: Passive = stretch, Active = contraction

Question 6

Pt preparation

Answer 6

• Test when pt is not in acute pain
• Pt needs to be relaxed
• Avoid pain inhibition of motion and muscle guarding

Question 7

Testing procedure

Answer 7

• Ensure max lengthening of muscle from origin to insertion
• Firmly stabilize one end (usually origin)
• Slowly elongate muscle
• Assess end feel (tension to find end feel)
• Goniometric measurement or tape measure