Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center

 

Examination Links:

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    of Examinations
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       - upper limb
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       Test
    • Proprioceptive Space Test
  • Cervical Spine
    • Spurling's Test
    • Distraction
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    • Tinels' Sign
  • Thoracic Spine
    • Sagittal Plane ROM Test
    • Frontal Plane ROM Test
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  • Lumbar Spine
    • Straight Leg Raise Test
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    • Apley Scratch Test
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       Test
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      Impingement Test
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      Test
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      Test
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      Test
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      Test
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      Stability Test
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      (Horizontal Adduction) Test
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      Integrity Test
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       Stress Test
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      Test
  • Wrist
    • Finkelstein's Test
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      Compression Test
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      Test
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       Test
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       Test
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      Ligament Stress Test
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      Ligament Stress Test
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      Ligament Stress Test
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      Ligament Stress Test
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      Ligament Stress Test
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      Ligament Stress Test
    • Bunnel-Littler Test
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  • Sacroiliac Joint
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      Rotation of Ilium on Sacrum
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      Rotation of Ilium on Sacrum
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      of Hip
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      Pubic Stress Test
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    • External Rotation 
      Recurvatum Test
    •  
  • Lower Leg
  • Ankle
  • Foot
    • Morton Test
    •  
  • Range of Motion
  • Goniometry
  • Manual Muscle Testing
  • Reflexes
  • Vital Signs
  • Body Composition

 

Thompson Test

Examination type Muscle Integrity Test
Patient & Body Segment Positioning The patient lies prone on a table with the heels placed over the edge of the table.
Examiner Position The examiner should position themselves at the side of the lower leg to be tested. Their hand should be wrapped around the belly of the gastrocnemius and soleus
Tissues Being Tested Achilles Tendon
Positive Test When squeezing the muscles a normal response would be to have the foot plantar flex. Therefore, an absence of plantar flexion upon squeezing would be a positive test, indicating a possible rupture of the Achilles Tendon.
Interpretation A positive test is present when there is a tear in the Achilles Tendon causing there to be no plantar flexion.
Common errors in performing exam A common error may be not comparing bilaterally because the amount of plantar flexion will vary in degrees from one person to another.
Factors possibly resulting in misinterpretation If the gastrocnemius and soleus are not relaxed then the squeeze will not cause the foot to go into more plantar flexion because it will already be in a degree of plantar flexion
Related tests No related test
References

Brader, Holly, Isear, Jerome, Konin, Jeff, & Wisten, Denise    

    (2002). Special Test for Orthopedic Examination (2nd ed.).

     Thorofare: SLACK Inc.

Magee, David (2002). Orthopedic Physical        

     Assessment. Philadelphia: Saunders.      

Prentice, William E. (2003). Arnheim’s Principles of Athletic

     Training: A Competency-Based Approach (11th ed.).  St. Louis:     

     McGraw Hill.  
Links:

http://www.hope.edu/academic/kinesiology/athtrain/program/studentprojects/Ldornbos2/ankleandfoot/sld011.htm

http://www.arthroscopy.com/sp09009.htm

http://www.achillestendon.com/

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00160.html

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/Articles/4504-1.asp

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achilles-tendon-rupture/DS00160

http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1998/10Oct/mckeag.htm

 

How the Test is Performed

DESCRIPTION OF TEST BEING PERFORMED

With the gastrocnemius and soleus completely relaxed the examiner squeezes the belly of these muscles

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