Tone
Lower limbs
As with all examinations, the best method is your own – one with which you are comfortable and familiar. The one explained here takes the following format:
- Tone.
- Power.
- Reflexes.
- Function.
- Sensation.
Power
LL POWER ASSESSMENT (THIGHS)
Power. A full motor system examination includes assessment of the legs and the following format:
- Tone.
- Power.
- Reflexes.
- Function.
- Sensation.
Start at the hip asking the patient to abduct, adduct, flex and extend against your hand so you can assess how much force they can overcome.
Do the same for flexion and extension at the knee and ankle as well as the toes.
KNEE FLEXORS/ AND XTENSORS
Toe extention and flexion power assessment)
Toe extension involves extending the toes away the sole of the foot. The muscle of the toe extension is extensor digitorum longus, and the intrinsic foot muscles.
Toe flexion involves bending the toes towards the sole of the foot. The muscle and tendon involved in toe flexion is flexor digitorum longus and intrinsic foot muscles.
