Test: Knee Extensors - Muscle Test

Video Link

Background/Purpose

The quadriceps muscle group includes the erctus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius and vastus medialis. Together, these muscles act to extend the knee. These muscles insert through a common tendon into the patella. The patella is then anchored to the tibial tuberosity of the tibia. The innervation is the Femoral nerve arising from L2-4 nerve roots. (Daniels and Worthingham's 1995)

Procedure

Subject is seated at edge of table with thighs supported and feet off the ground. The subject extends their knee and the clinician applies a downward force at a point onthe distal leg, above the ankle.
Test results are recorded using the following scale:
5 Holds test position against maximal resistance
4+ Holds test position against moderate to strong pressure
4 Holds test position against moderate resistance
4- Holds test position against slight to moderate pressure
3+ Holds test position against slight resistance
3 Holds test position against gravity
3- Gradual release from test position
2+ Moves through partial ROM against gravity OR Moves through complete ROM gravity eliminated and holds against pressure
2 Able to move through full ROM gravity eliminated
2- Moves through partial ROM gravity eliminated
1 No visible movement; palpable or observable tendon prominence/flicker contraction
0 No palpable or observable muscle contraction
Performed: Unilaterally

Dialog

Subject extends knee against clinicians resistance.

Criteria

• Full strength
• No pain

Measurement

0.00

LOINC Code

0

Scale/Grading

Pass/Fail