Which description correctly represents wrist flexor strength testing?

Which description correctly represents wrist flexor strength testing?

• A. Extend the wrist against resistance on the dorsum of the hand; stabilize the forearm.
• B. Abduct the wrist against resistance on the radial side.
• C. Flex the wrist against resistance on the palmar surface, with stabilization of the forearm.
• D. Rotate the wrist medially against resistance at the forearm.

Answer: (C)

Wrist flexor strength testing is done by having the person flex the wrist and applying resistance to the palm while stabilizing the forearm. This setup isolates the wrist flexors (the muscles that create palmar flexion) by providing resistance in the opposite direction and preventing any movement from the elbow or shoulder substitutions. Testing with resistance on the dorsum would recruit the wrist extensors instead, while resisting at the radial side or involving forearm pronation would target radial deviation or forearm rotation rather than pure wrist flexion. Thus applying resistance to the palmar surface with the forearm stabilized best evaluates wrist flexor strength.

Wrist flexor strength testing is done by having the person flex the wrist and applying resistance to the palm while stabilizing the forearm. This setup isolates the wrist flexors (the muscles that create palmar flexion) by providing resistance in the opposite direction and preventing any movement from the elbow or shoulder substitutions. Testing with resistance on the dorsum would recruit the wrist extensors instead, while resisting at the radial side or involving forearm pronation would target radial deviation or forearm rotation rather than pure wrist flexion. Thus applying resistance to the palmar surface with the forearm stabilized best evaluates wrist flexor strength.