Manual Muscle Testing: Trunk Flexion
Original Editor - Manali K Shah
Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Manali K Shah and Kim Jackson
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Trunk flexion has multiple elements that include cervical, thoracic, and lumbar motion. Measurement is difficult at best and may be done in a variety of ways with considerable variability in results.
The neck flexors should be eliminated as much as possible by asking the patient to maintain a neutral neck position with the chin pointed to the ceiling to avoid neck flexion.
Muscles involved:[edit | edit source]
- Rectus abdominis
- Obliquus externus abdominis
- Obliquus internus abdominis
Patient Positioning:[edit | edit source]
- Grade 5 (Normal): Supine with fingertips lightly touching the back of the head
- For grade 4- Supine with arms crossed over chest
- For grade 3- Supine with arms at side.
- For grade 0 to 2- Supine with arms at sides and knees flexed.
Therapist Position:[edit | edit source]
- Grade 3 to 5- Standing at side of table at level of patient's chest to be able to see whether scapulae clear table during test
- grade 0 to 2- Standing at side of table with the hand used for palpation is placed at the midline of the thorax over the linea alba, and the four fingers of both hands are used to palpate the rectus abdominis
To Test:[edit | edit source]
- For grade 3 to 5- Patient flexes trunk through complete range of motion. A curl-up is emphasized , and trunk is curled until scapulae clear table
- For grade 2- Ask the patient to lift the head from the table. If the scapulae do not clear the table, the Grade is 2.
- For grade 0 and 1- therapist uses assisted forward lean technique or coughing techique in same position, while palpating rectus abdominis.[1]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Hislop H, Avers D, Brown M. Daniels and Worthingham's muscle Testing-E-Book: Techniques of manual examination and performance testing. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2013 Sep 27.
