Test: Wrist Extension - Manual Muscle Testing

Video Link

Background/Purpose

Wrist extension primarily occurs through the actions of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus and Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis.
Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus - Innervation: C5, C6, C7, C8.
Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis - Innervation: C6, C7, C8.

Procedure

Subject is seated on table with one arms at their side and the test arm at about 90 degrees of elbow flexion, forearm pronated and the wrist extended. The clinician stands in front of the subject and places one hand in support of the forearm and the other over the distal metacarpals.
The clinician instruction to the patient is "Extend your wrist. Hold it. Don't let me push it down."
Grade 5: Complete ROM and hold against maximal resistance.
Grade 4: Complete ROM and holds against moderate resistance but end point may not be firm.
Grade 3: Completes ROM with no manual resistance. In this case the clinician only cups the elbow for support. Patient instruction: "Bend your elbow."
Grade 2: Completes a partial ROM while supine.
Garde 1: The examiner can palpate a contractile response.
Grade 0: There is no palpable contractile response.
Performed: Unilaterally

Dialog

Resisted wrist extension strength.

Criteria

• Completes full ROM
• Completes against maximal resistance

Measurement

0.00

LOINC Code

0

Scale/Grading

Pass/Fail