Standing, sitting or lying supine
Anterior or lateral to the patient.
May I touch your hand? ( or point to the demonstrated area ).
Please turn your palm down. Straighten the knuckles, while the rest of the finger stay bent
(or demonstrate, which is much easier). (If needed, hold in this position while I try to move your finger.)
The muscle also may be called extensor digiti quinti proprius.
Guide the patient to pronate. Guide the patient to extend and flex the little finger while keeping the other
3 fingers and thumb flexed. Observe that as the little finger extends, usually two tendons are observed
following a similar course to the little finger as the extensor digitorum communis follows to the other
three fingers. Whether one or two tendons, they belong to the extensor digiti minimi muscle. With
the tendon(s) in view, palpate the tendon(s) of the extensor digiti minimi while extending the little
finger. Observation may be enhanced if the skin on the dorsal proximal phalanx of digit 5 is stretched
slightly distally. With unclear muscle activity, provide added resistance by having the patient ìholdî
while you gradually produce a push on the proximal phalanx of the little finger in the direction of
metacarpophalangeal flexion of the little finger.
This muscle also extends the interphalangeal joints of the little finger, however the action at these joints is less than at the metacarpophalangeal joints. Some additional muscle action may be seen with extension of the interphalangeal joints of digit 5 with the metacarpophalangeal joint already extended.
Remember that the tendon for the extensor digitorum communis to the little finger is a slip betweem the tendon of the extensor digitorum communis to the fourth finger to the lateral side of the extensor digiti minimi tendon.
VH -