Physical Therapy Assistant Practice Exam

When examining a patient with weak (2/5) adductors, what muscle group might also be involved?

1. Abductors

2. Flexors

3. Extensors

4. Rotators

The correct answer is: Abductors

When a patient presents with weak adductors rated at 2/5, it indicates significant weakness in the muscles responsible for bringing the limbs toward the midline of the body. The adductor muscle group primarily consists of several muscles located in the inner thigh, including the adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, and gracilis. In examining the functional interrelationships of the muscle groups, if the adductors are weak, the role of the abductors becomes prominent. The abductors, located in the outer thigh, are responsible for moving the limbs away from the midline. When the adductors are unable to fulfill their function effectively due to weakness, it can lead to an imbalance where the abductors may become overactive or compensatory mechanisms come into play. For instance, a person with weak adductors may rely more on their abductors to stabilize the limb during movements, especially in activities such as walking or maintaining balance. This compensatory pattern could further highlight the significance of assessing the abductors in conjunction with the weak adductors to understand the overall functional dynamics of the lower limb during examination and rehabilitation. In this context, the weak adductors and the potentially overactive abductors can