knee - manual muscle tests

Question 1

gastrocnemius and plantaris

Answer 1

▪ Positions patient supine with the knee in full extension
▪ Stabilizes the lower leg just above the ankle
▪ Applies pressure against the plantar aspect of the foot
▪ Instructs patient to plantarflex the ankle/foot
▪ Holds position for at least 5 second

Question 2

popliteus

Answer 2

▪ Positions patient sitting, with the knee flexed 90 degrees, and the tibia externally rotated
▪ Instructs patient to internally rotate the tibia
▪ Holds position for at least 5 seconds

Question 3

medial hamstrings - semimembranosus and semitendinosus

Answer 3

▪ Positions patient prone, with the knee flexed 50 – 70 degrees, the thigh internally rotated, and the lower leg internally
rotated
▪ Stabilizes the thigh
▪ Applies pressure against the lower leg, in the direction of knee extension
▪ Instructs patient to flex the knee
▪ Holds appropriate amount of pressure for at least 5 seconds

Question 4

lateral hamstring - biceps femoris

Answer 4

▪ Positions patient prone, with the knee flexed 50 – 70 degrees, the thigh externally rotated, and the lower leg externally
rotated
▪ Stabilizes the thigh
▪ Applies pressure against the lower leg, in the direction of knee extension
▪ Instructs patient to flex the knee
▪ Holds appropriate amount of pressure for at least 5 seconds

Question 5

quadriceps femoris

Answer 5

▪ Positions patient sitting
▪ Instructs patient to hold onto the table
▪ Stabilizes the thigh
▪ Applies pressure against the lower leg, in the direction of knee flexion
▪ Instructs patient to extend the knee
▪ Holds appropriate amount of pressure for at least 5 seconds

Question 6

sartorius

Answer 6

▪ Positions patient supine, with the hip externally rotated, abducted, and flexed
▪ Instructs patient to hold onto the table
▪ Applies pressure against the anterolateral surface of the lower thigh, in the direction of hip extension, adduction, and
internal rotation, and against the lower leg in the direction of knee extension
▪ Instructs patient to externally rotate, abduct, and flex the thigh, while flexing the knee
▪ Holds appropriate amount of pressure for at least 5 seconds