Manual Muscle Testing: Scapula Elevation
Muscles Involved:[edit | edit source]
Trapezius (upper)
Levator scapulae
Patient Positioning[edit | edit source]
Seated with arms relaxed in lap, patient to have head turned away from test-side For grades 0-2 gravity eliminated, patient in prone.
Joint start Position[edit | edit source]
Resting position of shoulder in either sitting or prone.
Therapist Position[edit | edit source]
Therapist to stand behind the patient
- Palpation over scapular elevators
- For grades 4 and 5: provide resistance downward at the top of the shoulder
To Test[edit | edit source]
- Patient actively elevates scapula
- For grades 4 and 5: therapist to give resistance downwards in the direction opposite to elevation. [1]
- Note: as with all resisted testing of vertebroscapular muscles, the preferred resistance point is that which constitutes the longest lever as this more closely reflects the functional demands of the limb.
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.