Gravity Resisted Instructions: Ask the client to sit in a chair or on edge of treatment table with legs hanging over the edge with hips and knees at 90° of flexion. The practitioner will stabilize the thigh and then ask the client to " Straighten your knee." The client will move the knee into extension, and the practitioner applies resistance to the anterior lower leg in the direction of flexion.
Grades: Normal (5), Good (4), Fair (3)
Gravity Minimized: No resistance is applied, and the practitioner or the table supports the testing extremity. (Not pictured)
Instructions: Client is side-lying on the side not being tested. The lower extremity being tested is in 0° of hip extension and 90° knee flexion. The practitioner will stand behind the client and support the extremity being tested. The practitioner will ask the client to "extend your knee." The practitioner will palpate the knee extensor muscles (rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis, & vastus medialis).
Grades: Poor (2), Trace (1), No contraction (0)
Gravity Resisted Instructions: Ask the client to lie prone with hips and knees in 0° extension. The practitioner will stabilize the midthigh and then ask the client to " Bend your knee as far as it can go." The client will move the knee into flexion, and the practitioner applies resistance to the posterior part of the lower leg in the direction of extension.
Grades: Normal (5), Good (4), Fair (3)
Gravity Minimized: No resistance is applied, and the practitioner or the table supports the testing extremity. (Not pictured)
Instructions: Client is side-lying on the side not being tested. The lower extremity being tested is in 0° of hip extension and 0° of knee extension. The practitioner will stand behind the client and support the extremity being tested. The practitioner will ask the client to bend your knee." The practitioner will palpate the knee flexor muscles (biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and popliteus).
Grades: Poor (2), Trace (1), No contraction (0)