In gravity-minimized wrist extension testing, which description is accurate regarding hand contact with the table?

In gravity-minimized wrist extension testing, which description is accurate regarding hand contact with the table?

• A. The Ulnar Border of the Hand Rests on the Table
• B. The Palmar Surface Rests on the Table
• C. The Dorsal Surface Rests on the Table
• D. The Radial Border Rests on the Table

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to arrange the hand so gravity doesn’t bias the wrist extension test, letting the wrist extensor muscles be evaluated with minimal external load. Placing the hand so the ulnar border rests on the table achieves this by keeping the hand on its side, which prevents the palm from bearing weight. With the ulnar border on the surface, the weight of the hand won’t press the palm into the table and won’t create extra flexor activity or unwanted torque, so the examiner can assess the genuine ability of the extensors to lift or hold the wrist in extension with only a light, controlled resistance. If the palmar surface were on the table, gravity would push the palm down and tend to engage flexor activity, biasing the test toward flexion rather than extension. If the dorsal surface were on the table, the hand would be oriented differently and gravity could affect the motion in unintended ways, again making it harder to isolate the wrist extensors. Resting the radial border on the table would place the hand in another unsuitable orientation for gravity elimination, not providing the same neutral, stable setup. So resting the hand on its ulnar border is the position that best minimizes gravity’s influence while stabilizing the hand for an accurate wrist extension assessment.

The main idea is to arrange the hand so gravity doesn’t bias the wrist extension test, letting the wrist extensor muscles be evaluated with minimal external load. Placing the hand so the ulnar border rests on the table achieves this by keeping the hand on its side, which prevents the palm from bearing weight. With the ulnar border on the surface, the weight of the hand won’t press the palm into the table and won’t create extra flexor activity or unwanted torque, so the examiner can assess the genuine ability of the extensors to lift or hold the wrist in extension with only a light, controlled resistance.

If the palmar surface were on the table, gravity would push the palm down and tend to engage flexor activity, biasing the test toward flexion rather than extension. If the dorsal surface were on the table, the hand would be oriented differently and gravity could affect the motion in unintended ways, again making it harder to isolate the wrist extensors. Resting the radial border on the table would place the hand in another unsuitable orientation for gravity elimination, not providing the same neutral, stable setup.

So resting the hand on its ulnar border is the position that best minimizes gravity’s influence while stabilizing the hand for an accurate wrist extension assessment.