L-5 Motor

Name of test

HEEL WALK

What it tests

AN INTACT INNERVATION AND MUSCULAR STRENGTH TO THE DORSIFLEXORS OF THE FOOT

How to do it

ASK THE PATIENT TO STAND AND THEN WALK A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 10 FEET ON BOTH HEELS HOLDING THE TOES UPWARD

The normal response

5/5 STRENGTH OF THE FOOT AND ANKLE DORSIFLEXORS AND THE TOE EXTENSORS WITH A NORMAL ABILITY TO HEEL WALK ABOUT 10 FEET.

What it means if not normal

FOOT DROP SIGNIFIES WEAKNESS OF THE TIBIALIS ANTERIOR, PERONEAL MUSCLE GROUP, AND THE EXTENSOR DIGITORUM COMMUNIS AND EXTENSOR HALLUCIS LONGUS WHICH ARE INNERVATED BY THE L5 NERVE ROOT

Comments

THE L5 MOTOR NERVE IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR HIP ABDUCTION AS WELL AS ANKLE EVERSION AND DORSIFLEXION.

Citations

Hoppenfeld, Stanley. Orthopaedic Neurology. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co., 1997.


K. Anderson, J. Hall. Sports Injury and Management: Philadelphia: Williams & Wilkins, 1995.


Reider, Bruce. The Orthopaedic Physical Examination, 2nd Ed.: Philadelpiha: Elsevier Saunders, 2005.

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