Rib spring testing is performed by:

Rib spring testing is performed by:

• A. Palpating for springiness at costosternal or costovertebral joints to assess rib motion
• B. Measuring thoracic spine rotation
• C. Testing intercostal muscle strength
• D. Checking lung volumes

Answer: (A)

Rib spring testing gauges how freely the ribs move at their joints by palpating for springiness at the costosternal and costovertebral joints. In practice, you place your hands to access these joints and apply a gentle anterior-posterior impulse to feel the springing of the rib as it articulates with the sternum or vertebrae. The amount and symmetry of this springiness reveal whether the rib has normal motion or is restricted, helping identify rib somatic dysfunction and guide treatment. This focus on rib articulations is why it’s the best choice. Other options target different structures or functions—thoracic spine rotation assesses the spine itself, intercostal muscle strength looks at muscle force rather than joint motion, and lung volumes measure air capacity rather than rib articulation mobility.

Rib spring testing gauges how freely the ribs move at their joints by palpating for springiness at the costosternal and costovertebral joints. In practice, you place your hands to access these joints and apply a gentle anterior-posterior impulse to feel the springing of the rib as it articulates with the sternum or vertebrae. The amount and symmetry of this springiness reveal whether the rib has normal motion or is restricted, helping identify rib somatic dysfunction and guide treatment.

This focus on rib articulations is why it’s the best choice. Other options target different structures or functions—thoracic spine rotation assesses the spine itself, intercostal muscle strength looks at muscle force rather than joint motion, and lung volumes measure air capacity rather than rib articulation mobility.