THOMPSON TEST

TEST POSITIONING

The client lies prone on a table with the heels placed over the edge of the table.

ACTION

With the gastrocnemius soleus complex relaxed, the therapist squeezes the belly of these muscles.

POSITIVE FINDING

When squeezing the calf muscles, a normal response would be to have the foot plantar flex.

Therefore, an absence of plantar flexion upon squeezing would be a positive test, indicating a possible rupture of the Achilles tendon.