Testing Positions Flashcards
Finger MP (MCP) Flexion
Against Gravity – Sitting, forearm in supination followed by MCP flexion with PIP and DIP extension. Therapist resists on the proximal phalanx of digits 2-5 in a downward direction toward MCP extension and PIP flexion. Can test as a group or each finger individually.
Gravity Eliminated – Sitting, forearm in midposition followed by MCP flexion with PIP and DIP extension. Therapist resists on the proximal phalanx of digits 2-5 toward extension.
Finger MP (MCP) Flexion
Finger MP (MCP) Abduction
Against Gravity – forearm in midposition and resting on the ulnar side, therapist supports at the wrist while patient abducts digit 2 (DI -1), therapist resists on the head of the proximal phalanx (distal end) of digit 2 downward toward adduction, patient abducts digit 3 (DI -2), therapist resists on the head of the proximal phalanx (distal end) of digit 3 downward toward adduction, patient then turns and rests the hand on the radial side with the forearm in midposition, patient abducts digit 5 (ADM), therapist resists on the head of the proximal phalanx (distal end) of digit 5 downward toward adduction, then patient abducts digit 4 (DI-4), therapist resists on the head of the proximal phalanx (distal end) of digit 4 downward toward adduction, and finally patient abducts digit 3 (DI-3), therapist resists on the head of the proximal phalanx (distal end) of digit 3 downward toward adduction.
Gravity Eliminated – Sitting, with the forearm in pronation followed by abduction of the MCP’s of digits 2-5. Therapist resists on the head of the proximal phalanx of digit 2 on the radial side (DI-1), digit 3 on both sides on the head of the proximal phalanx (DI-2 on radial side; DI-3 on ulnar side), on digit 4 on the ulnar side on the head of the proximal phalanx (DI-4) and on digit 5 on the ulnar side on the head of the proximal phalanx (ADM) inward toward adduction.
Finger MP (MCP) Abduction
MP (MCP) Adduction
Against Gravity – forearm in midposition resting on the ulnar side, therapist supports at the wrist (off of table) so that the fingers begin in abduction. Patient adducts digit 5 (PI -3), therapist resists on the head of the proximal phalanx of digit 5 downward toward abduction, patient adducts digit 4 (PI -2), therapist resists on the head of the proximal phalanx of digit 4 downward toward abduction, patient then turns and rests the hand on the radial side with the forearm in midposition and supported by the therapist at the wrist, patient begins with digit 2 (PI-1) in abduction and then moves into MCP adduction, therapist resists on the head of the proximal phalanx of digit 2 downward toward abduction.
Gravity-Eliminated - sitting with the forearm in pronation and MCP abduction. Patient adducts digits 2, 4 and 5. Therapist resists on the proximal phalanx of digits 2, 4 and 5 in an outward direction toward abduction.
MP (MCP) Adduction
Thumb IP Extension
Against Gravity – Sitting, starting with the forearm in midposition and IP joint of the thumb in flexion. Therapist stabilizes the proximal phalanx and the patient extends the IP joint of the thumb. Therapist resists on the distal phalanx in a downward direction toward IP flexion.
Gravity Eliminated – Starting with the forearm in supination and the IP joint in flexion, the therapist stabilizes the proximal phalanx and the patient extends the IP joint. Therapist resists on the distal phalanx toward IP flexion.
Thumb IP Extension
Thumb MP Extension
Sitting, starting with the forearm in midposition and the MP joint of the thumb in flexion. Therapist stabilizes the first metacarpal and the patient extends the MP joint of the thumb. Therapist resists on the proximal phalanx in a downward direction toward MP flexion (not necessary that the IP joint remain flexed as stated on p.160, Trombly- testing both muscles as a group).
Gravity Eliminated – Starting with the forearm in supination and MP joint of the thumb in flexion, the therapist stabilizes the metacarpal and the patient extends the MP joint. Therapist resists on the proximal phalanx toward MP flexion.
Thumb MP Extension
Thumb CMC Palmar Abduction
Against Gravity - Sitting with the forearm in supination followed by CMC palmar abduction of the thumb. Therapist stabilizes at the metacarpal and resists on the proximal phalanx in a downward direction toward adduction (test both the APL & APB as a group – not individually as described on pp. 161-162- Trombly).
Gravity Eliminated – Sitting, with the forearm resting on the table in midposition and the thumb in adduction, the therapist stabilizes the metacarpal and the patient moves the thumb away from the palm. Therapist resists on the proximal phalanx toward adduction.
Thumb CMC Palmar Abduction
Thumb IP Flexion
Against Gravity - Sitting with the elbow flexed and resting on the table (hand raised upward) with the forearm in supination and turned so that the anterior surface of the thumb is facing the ceiling and the MP and IP joints are in extension. The patient flexes the IP joint. Therapist stabilizes the proximal phalanx and resists on the distal phalanx in a downward direction toward extension.
Gravity Eliminated – forearm in supination with the MP and IP joints of the thumb in extension. The patient flexes the IP joint of the thumb while the therapist stabilizes the proximal phalanx. Resistance is applied on the distal phalanx toward extension.
Thumb IP Flexion
Thumb MP Flexion
Thumb CMC Adduction
Thumb CMC Opposition
5th Digit Opposition
