MMT: Wrist

Start Position: Client’s forearm supported on table in full pronation with fingers and thumb relaxed. Their hand may hand over the edge of the table
Stabilize: Forearm is stabilized on table
Instruction: “Lift your wrist as far as you can and keep your fingers relaxed, do not let me push it down.”
Resistance: Apply resistance to the distal metacarpals of the fingers towards flexion

(Gett & Romaniw, 2021)

Wrist extension: Against gravity, November 5, 2021. Courtesy of Tessann Merkel.

Start Position: Forearm is supported on the table in neutral with the wrist in a slightly flexed position.
Stabilize: Forearm rests on the table
Instruction: “Try to bend your wrist backward.”
Palpation: Palpate the tendons at the dorsal wrist and the muscle bellies at the proximal dorsal forearm.

(Gett & Romaniw, 2021)

Wrist extension: Gravity eliminated position, November 5, 2021. Courtesy of Tessann Merkel.

Start Position: Forearm is supinated, wrist is extended and fingers and thumb are relaxed
Stabilize: Forearm is stabilized on the table with back of the hand hanging off the table to allow the wrist to go into slight extension
Instruction: “Bend your wrist all the way forward, and keep your fingers relaxed. Do not let me push it back.”
Resistance: Apply resistance to the distal metacarpals of the fingers toward extension

(Gett & Romaniw, 2021)

Wrist flexion: Against gravity, November 5, 2021. Courtesy of Tessann Merkel.

Start Position: Forearm in neutral position, wrist extended and fingers and thumb relaxed
Stabilize: Forearm rests on the table
Instruction: “Try to bend your wrist forward.”
Palpation: Palpate the tendons at the volar wrist

(Gett & Romaniw, 2021)

Wrist flexion: Gravity eliminated position, November 5, 2021. Courtesy of Tessann Merkel.

Start Position: Forearm in neutral position, wrist in slight extension and neutral deviation with thumb facing up. Therapist is seated next to client on side being tested.
Stabilize: Forearm is stabilized by therapist with hand under client’s dorsal ulnar forearm
Instruction: “Move your wrist towards your thumb side and keep your fingers relaxed. Do not let me move you.”
Resistance: Apply resistance over distal second metacarpal/hand towards the ulnar side

(Gett & Romaniw, 2021)

Radial deviation: Against gravity, November 5, 2021. Courtesy of Tessann Merkel.

Start Position: Forearm in pronated position on table or supported by therapist
Stabilize: Forearm rests on the table
Instruction: “Try to move your wrist towards your thumb side.”
Palpation: Palpate the tendons on radial side of forearm

(Gett & Romaniw, 2021)

Radial deviation: Gravity eliminated position, November 5, 2021. Courtesy of Tessann Merkel.

Start Position: Forearm in neutral position, wrist in slight extension with neutral deviation, shoulder and elbow are flexed with thumb facing towards the floor. Therapist should be seated or standing on the side being tested
Stabilize: Distal forearm is stabilized by the therapist with hand under client’s dorsal radial forearm
Instruction: “Move your wrist towards your little finger side and keep your fingers relaxed. Do not let me move you.”
Resistance: Apply resistance radially over the fifth metacarpal or hand in the direction of radial deviation

(Gett & Romaniw, 2021)

Ulnar deviation: Against gravity, November 5, 2021. Courtesy of Tessann Merkel.

Start Position: Forearm in pronated position on table or supported by therapist
Stabilize: Forearm rests on table
Instruction: “Try and move your wrist towards your little finger side.”
Palpation: Palpate tendons on ulnar side of the forearm

(Gett & Romaniw, 2021)

Ulnar deviation: Gravity eliminated position, November 5, 2021. Courtesy of Tessann Merkel.

References

Gett, M., & Romaniw, A. (2021, November 3). Manual muscle testing [PowerPoint slides]. Brightspace. https://mylearning.chatham.edu/d2l/le/con tent/21252/Home

Merkel, T. (Photographer). (2021). Wrist extension: Against gravity [Photograph].

Merkel, T. (Photographer). (2021). Wrist extension: Gravity eliminated position [Photograph].

Merkel, T. (Photographer). (2021). Wrist flexion: Against gravity [Photograph].

Merkel, T. (Photographer). (2021). Wrist flexion: Gravity eliminated position [Photograph].

Merkel, T. (Photographer). (2021). Radial deviation: Against gravity [Photograph].

Merkel, T. (Photographer). (2021). Radial deviation: Gravity eliminated position [Photograph].

Merkel, T. (Photographer). (2021). Ulnar deviation: Against gravity [Photograph].

Merkel, T. (Photographer). (2021). Ulnar deviation: Gravity eliminated position [Photograph].