Muscle Length Testing

Question 1

What are you measuring and why?

Answer 1

the muscles extensibility, in other words-assessing resistance to passive movement, pain, laxity of joint/movement.

Question 2

How to tell whether the measurement is normal?

Answer 2

compare to the other side

Question 3

What principles are used in carrying out the technique?

Answer 3

elongate muscle in the opposite direction of concentric action

bony attachments of muscle fixed whilst the other bony attachment is moved passively in direction of lengthening the muscle.

ensure maximal lengthening, slowly elongate, assess end feel and apply over pressure.

Question 4

What structures/processes are being assessed?

Answer 4

muscle spindles

muscular end feel

reproduction or change to symptoms through range

ROM

quality of movement

Question 5

Precautions and contraindications?

Answer 5

acute pain-to avoid pain inhibition and muscle guarding.

bony limit to movement

recent fracture

acute inflammation

acute pain with movement

shortened tissues are compensatory

Question 6

What needs to be noted?

Answer 6

tests aim to localise one muscle, it should be noted that other muscles will also be lengthened.

Question 7

Learn the results for muscle testing

Answer 7

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Question 8

Learn how to test each muscle

Answer 8

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