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 up. I am going to steady your finger while you alternately bend and
relax your finger (or demonstrate). (If needed, hold in this position while I try to move your
finger.)
Guide the patient to supinate. Stabilize one finger at a time with pressure on the sides of
the finger. With the patient relaxed, palpate the anterior surface of the distal phalanx. Guide
the patient to alternately flex and relax the finger, especially the distal interphalangeal
joint. Palpate the tendon during the flexion motion. The patient may be able to flex all distal
interphalangeal joints without stabilization. With unclear muscle activity, provide added
resistance by having the patient ìholdî while you gradually produce a push on the finger in the
direction of distal interphalangeal extension.
VH - Flexor digitorum profundus tendon