Grading Muscle Strength
Normal (N) 5
Good (G) 4
Fair Plus (F+) 3+/5
Fair (F) 3
Poor (P) 2
Trace (T) 1
Zero (0) 0
Muscle Grades How do we assess muscle strength?
Normal = full ROM = max. resist Observation/Screening
-Occupation-based functional motion evaluation
Good = full ROM = mod. resist -during ADL assessment
-activity demand analysis
Fair plus = full ROM = slight resist Manual Muscle Test (MMT)
Fair = full ROM = no resist
ALL AGAINST GRAVITY
Normal = full ROM = max. resist Observation/Screening
-Occupation-based functional motion evaluation
Good = full ROM = mod. resist -during ADL assessment
-activity demand analysis
Fair plus = full ROM = slight resist Manual Muscle Test (MMT)
Fair = full ROM = no resist
ALL AGAINST GRAVITY
Manual Muscle Testing Technique
- Perform ROM first
- Active range of motion first- then passive PRN (as needed)
- Explain procedure to patient
- “I’d like to take a look at how strong your arms are. I’m going to ask you to move your arm in different directions & then, I will ask you to hold it as tight as you can while I give you some resistance.”
- Demonstrate each movement
- Position limb to be tested AGAINST GRAVITY
- Have patient move through full AROM
- Have patient repeat movement
- Stabilize proximally
- Palpate muscle group
- To the distal end of the segment into which muscle inserts
- In the direction the movement came from
- Start with light resistance ---> increase to maximal resistance over 2-3 seconds
MMT Table