Muscle Testing

Question 1

Muscle Insufficiency

Answer 1

Muscle contraction that is less than optimal due to extremely lengthened or shortened position of the muscle

Question 2

Active insufficiency

Answer 2

When a two-joint muscle contracts against both joints simultaneously

Question 3

Passive insufficiency

Answer 3

When a two-joint muscle is lengthened over both joints simultaneously

Question 4

Power grip

Answer 4

When strong or forceful grip is needed
Involves stabilization of the object against the palm of the hand
Fingers in flexion
Wrist in ulnar deviation and slight extension

Question 5

Cylindrical grasp

Answer 5

Type of power grip

Thumb on one side, four fingers on the other side. Used for cylindrically shaped objects

Question 6

Fist grasp

Answer 6

Similar to cylindrical grasp, but narrower object, so thumb and fingers overlap (e.g. hammer)
Type of power grip

Question 7

Spherical grasp

Answer 7

Entire hand wrapping around a cylindrical object. Fingers separated from one another. Greater amount of thumb opposition. E.g. baseball
Type of power grip

Question 8

Hook grasp

Answer 8

Use of second and third IP joints (or all fingers) to create a hook to hold onto an object. Controlled by forearm flexors and extensors. e.g. holding pail
Type of power grip

Question 9

Precision grip

Answer 9

When accurate and precise movements of the hand are needed.

Involves MCP and IP joints on radial side of hand

Question 10

Digital prehension grip (aka 3-fingered pinch)

Answer 10

Pulp to pulp contact between thumb, index, and middle finger. E.g. holding a pencil

Type of precision grip

Question 11

Lateral prehension grip

Answer 11

Contact between thumb and lateral side of index finger
E.g. using a key
Type of precision grip

Question 12

Tip prehension (aka tip pinch)

Answer 12

Thumb opposition so that the tip of the thumb contacts the tip of another finger.
E.g. holding a needle
Type of precision grip

Question 13

Handheld dynamometry intrarater reliability

Answer 13

> 0.94

Question 14

Handheld dynamometry (for grip strength)

Answer 14

• Dominant hand usually 5-10 pounds stronger non-dominant

- Usually recorded in pounds or kg

Question 15

Isometric dynamometry

Answer 15

• Measure isometric strength of extremity
• Benefits: Safe, simple, easy to interpret, cost effective
• Disadvantages: May not be transferable to functional activities, caution with acute ortho injury, osteoporosis, hernia

Question 16

Isometric dynamometry contraindications

Answer 16

Fracture

Significant HTN

Question 17

Isokinetic dynamometry

Answer 17

Measures strength of a muscle group during a movement with a constant, predetrmined speed.
Alters resistance to accommodate for change in length-tension ratio throughout arc of motion
Therefore, muscle group maximally contracts throughout the motion
Common speeds: 60, 120, 180 degrees/second

Question 18

Isokinetic dynamometry disadvantages

Answer 18

Expensive
Limitations in patterns of movement
Higher level of understanding required by pt
Doesn’t correlate to function (don’t perform at a constant velocity during activities)