November 6, 2013 | Posted in Uncategorized | By

Comments Off on Manual Muscle Tests (MMT)

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A Manual Muscle Test (MMT) is a way to test the function of a muscle.  If a muscle is not functioning as it should, it could be due to injury or disease of the muscle, joint, associated bone or bones, or it could be due to a problem with the nervous or blood supply to the muscle.

Copy the following notes into your notebook:

When testing keep in mind the following:

1. You always test bilaterally (both sides)

2. You are testing to make sure that their muscle can lock the joint into place and can offer resistance, appropriate to the size and age of the patient (or one being tested).

3. You are NOT testing to see if you are stronger than your patient or if you can overpower them.

4. You are not testing them on how well they follow instructions or how well they understand you.

Instructions:

1. Show the patient the position you want them to hold.

2.Tell them that you are going to try to push their (arm, hand etc.) and that they should NOT let you

3. Instruct them to hold

4. Apply pressure/resistance (gradually)

Copy this chart into your notebook.  We will be using the Numerals chart, in most cases.

Numerals

 

Letters

 

Description

 
Against gravity test  The patient is able to move through: 

5

 

N (normal)

 

 The full available ROM against gravity and against maximal resistance, with hold at the end of the ROM (Hold for about 3 seconds). 

4

 

G (good)

 

 The full available ROM against gravity and against moderate leading resistance.

4-

 

G-

 

 Greater than one half of the available ROM against gravity and against moderate resistance. 

3+

 

F+

 

 Less than one half of the available ROM against gravity and against moderate resistance. 

3

 

F

 

 The full available ROM against gravity. 

3-

 

F-

 

 Greater than one half of the available ROM against gravity. 

2+

 

P+

 

 Less than one half of the available ROM against gravity. 
Gravity eliminated test:  The patient is able to actively move through: 

2

 

P

 

 The full available ROM gravity eliminated. 

2-

 

P-

 

 Greater than one half the available ROM; gravity eliminated. 

1+

 

T+

 

 Less than one half of the available ROM; gravity eliminated. 

1

 

T (trace)

 

 None of the available ROM; gravity eliminated and there is palpable or observable flicker contraction.

0

 

0 (zero)

 

 None of the available ROM; gravity eliminated and there is no palpable or observable muscle contraction.