Supine Hip Extensor Manual Muscle Test

Original Editor - Lilian Ashraf
Top Contributors - Lilian Ashraf

Purpose[edit | edit source]

Muscles of the thigh posterior compartment

The hip extensors strength is a primary predictor of walking ability, physical performance and balance in the elderly.[1]

The traditional manual muscle test of hip extensors requires the patient to lie prone to include the gravity as a grading factor. In the elderly population the prone position can be hard to accomplish due to pain, contractures, and reduced mobility.[1]

The Supine Hip Extensor muscle test can be used for the assessment of the hip extensors muscles strength in the elderly, as it is often overlooked. due to the patient’s inability to lie in a prone position and limited hip mobility.[1]

Technique[edit | edit source]

The patient is in supine lying position, the examiner stand at the foot of the examination table and places both hands under the heel of one leg.

The patient is instructed to press the test limb into the mat, keeping the hip “locked” and not allowing it to flex. The examiner liftes the limb at least 90cm.

Grading Criteria for the Supine Hip Extensor Test[edit | edit source]

  • Grade 5 (normal) Hip locks in neutral (full extension) throughout the test. Pelvis and back elevate as a locked unit as the leg is raised by the examiner.
  • Grade 4 (good) A limited arc of hip flexion occurs before the pelvis and back elevate as a unit while the leg is raised by the examiner.
  • Grade 3 (fair) Full flexion of the hip to the end of straight-leg raising range with little or no elevation of the pelvis. Examiner feels “good” resistance throughout the test.
  • Grade 2 (poor) Hip flexes fully with only minimal resistance felt by the examiner as the limb is raised. Examiner perceives that resistance exceeds that due to leg weight.
  • Grade 0 (absent) Hip flexes fully with no active resistance felt by examiner as limb is raised. Examiner perceives that resistance is due to leg weight only.[1]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

The study conducted by Jacquelin Perry et al, found The supine MMT is a reliable and valid method with which to assess hip extension strength.

Also, there were similar grading in the hip extensor Manual Muscle Test from supine and prone.[1]

Check Manual Muscle Testing: Hip Extension

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Perry J, Weiss WB, Burnfield JM, Gronley JK. The supine hip extensor manual muscle test: a reliability and validity study. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2004 Aug 1;85(8):1345-50.