Muscle Length Tests

• • Aims to assess the extensibility of the tissue, helping to identify noticeable loss of muscle length as well as placing the tissue under tension to see if it is a potential source of symptoms
  • Positions used to assess muscle length can also be used as a treatment to stretch the muscle if sustained
• Thomas Test:

  • Assists in differentiating tightness of the anterior hip/iliopsoas, Rectus femoris & TFL
• Thomas Test:

  • Patient at the end of plinth, instruct to lay supine and bring the leg not being assessed to their chest and to hold with their arms
  • Normal finding: Thigh should reach level of the plinth
  • Positive finding:
  • If thigh does not reach level of plinth, straighten knee. If leg drops, it indicates restriction is due to rectus femoris
  • If leg still does not drop, allow leg to abduct slightly. If leg drops, it indicates restriction due to ITB/TFL
  • If the leg still remains high, it is likely that the restriction is due to tight anterior capsule/iliopsoas

  
• Hamstring:

  • Patient in supine with their hip at 90 degrees flexion
  • Handling: Stabilise at the femur, ensure patient is relaxed. With your other hand holding at the distal tibia move the knee into extension. Stop when the movement is limited by hamstring muscle length
  • Normal finding: Record range of movement at the knee from the vertical axis. 0 degrees = full extension