Step 1: The forced duction test separates a paralytic cause of limited eye movement from a mechanical one. The surgeon physically pushes the anaesthetised globe in the direction of restricted gaze.
Step 2: If the eye refuses to budge and resistance is encountered, the result is read as positive. The block is structural - a stiff, scarred or entrapped muscle is anchoring the globe. Classic causes are Graves orbitopathy with a tight inferior or medial rectus and trapdoor floor fractures.
Step 3: If the eye glides freely, the test is negative and the cause of the motility deficit is neuromuscular weakness, that is, an extraocular muscle palsy. The hardware is fine, the motor power is gone.
Step 4: Concomitant squint keeps a constant angle in all directions with normal ductions, so its test is also negative. Only mechanical restriction yields resistance.
\[\boxed{\text{Mechanical restriction of ocular movement}}\]