Muscle Length Tests UE

Pectoralis Minor

Arms by the side with elbows extended and palms upward- anatomical position. Knees in flexion.

How do we measure Pec Minor?

Visual observation of shortness, look at acromion and scapula.

Measure from anterior aspect of acromion to the table if there is compensation.

Compensation of Pec Minor?

Looking to see if shoulder is raised from the table. Say "normal" if not tilted. Palpate acromion and measure- around 13 cm.

Pectoralis Major

supine with knees flexed.

Lower fibers- arms placed in 135 degrees of abduction with elbows extended.

Upper fibers- arms placed in horizontal abduction with elbow extended and shoulder in ER.

Compensation?

Shortness shows arms do not drop to table and you measure from lateral epicondyle to table. Positive if his arms can swing out like a snow angel- stop at his ear level.

Latissimus Dorsi Test

supine. Elbows extended and knees flexed. Both arms raised in flexion overhead, arms placed close to the head.

Latissimus Dorsi Compensation?

Shortness shows if the arm does not drop to table level and measure between lateral epicondyle to table.

Biceps Brachii Test Position and Gonni

Patient in supine at edge of the table, shoulder in full extension and elbow in flexion.

Axis- lateral epicondyle of humerus. SA- lateral midline of humerus → acromion process.

MA- lateral midline of radius → radial styloid.

Compensations of Biceps Brach

shoulder flexion.

Action of test is extend elbow while keeping forearm in pronation. Restriction- limitation in elbow extension when the shoulder is positioned in full extension and full forearm pronation.

If elbow extension ROM is the SAME at normal testing position of elbow extension AND at muscle length position of the biceps, then the biceps brachii is not the primary source of ROM restriction.

How to test the LENGTH of biceps brachii?

shoulder extension, elbow extension, elbow pronation

Long Head of Triceps Test

Patient in supine at edge of the table, shoulder in full flexion and elbow in extension, and forearm supination.

Axis- lateral epicondyle of humerus. SA- lateral midline of humerus → acromion process.

MA- lateral midline of radius → radial styloid.

Compensations for Triceps Test

shoulder extension. Action of test is flex elbow while keeping forearm in pronation. Restriction- limitation in elbow flexion when the shoulder is positioned in full flexion.

Testing the length of triceps?

shoulder flexion, elbow flexion

Wrist Extensors Test

position is forearm pronated and supported on table with the Elbow, MCP, PIP, and DIP in extension. Stabilize forearm to prevent elbow flexion.

First Motion- extend the wrist while maintaining MCP, PIP, and DIP in extension.

Second- Extend the wrist with elbow in slight flexion and MCP, PIP, and DIP in relaxed/slight flexion.

Interpretation of Flexors?

FDP and FDS are stiff/short if wrist extension is 10-15 degrees MORE with elbow and MCP, PIP, and DIP in flexion.

Normal for extension is 70, so if you get 50 and then 70 in flexion, there is stiffness in the FDP, FDS. Passive test.

Extensors Interpretation/Test?

Place wrist off of table, extended and fingers flexed and move wrist into flexion

if fingers start to extend when moving wrist to flexion, extensors are short

-extensor digi, minimi, indicies