A patient with complete C6 tetraplegia is learning how to perform a wheelchair to mat transfer. Which muscle can effectively lock the elbows during the transfer?

• A. Anterior Deltoids
• B. Biceps
• C. Triceps
• D. Latissimus Dorsi

Answer: (A)

Locking the elbows during a wheelchair to mat transfer is about achieving a stable, extended elbow to bear weight as you shift your body. The muscle that provides the actual elbow extension needed for this locked position is the triceps brachii. It straightens the elbow and helps create a solid anchor point for control during the transfer. In a C6 tetraplegia, elbow extension via the triceps is the key because you want to maintain the forearm in full extension to support the body as you move. The anterior deltoids move the shoulder and don’t lock the elbow; the biceps flex the elbow (opposes extension), and the latissimus dorsi contributes to shoulder and trunk movement rather than elbow extension. So the triceps is the muscle that enables the elbow to lock during the transfer.