Manual Muscle Testing: Scapular Retraction/ Adduction

Muscles Involved:

• Gastrocnemius
• Soleus

OR

• Soleus only

Patient Positioning

For testing gastrocnemius and soleus together:

• Grades 3-5 - Test in standing on test leg, knee extended, patient can hold stable object such as a table or bench for balance
• Grades 0-2 - Test in side-lying position, knee extended and ankle off plinth.

For testing soleus only:

• Grades 3-5 - Test in standing on test leg, knee slightly FLEXED, patient can hold stable object such as a table or bench for balance
• Grades 0-2 - Test in side-lying with testing side knee bent to 90 degrees.

Joint start Position

In standing test start position, start with ankle in plantar grade.

In side-lying test start position, start at mid point between available dorsiflexion and plantar flexion range.

Therapist Position

Both gastrocnemius and soleus together and soleus only:

• Grades 3-5 - Therapist to position comfortably with a lateral view of the movement being performed
• Grades 0-2 - Therapist to position at the feet

To Test

• Patient to perform plantar flexion in the form of single-limb heel raise