Article

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical ratings of elbow
strength obtained by skilled clinicians with objective strength measurement
obtained through quantitative testing. DESIGN: A retrospective comparison of
subject clinical records with quantitative strength testing results in a motion
analysis laboratory was conducted. A total of 110 individuals between the ages of
8 and 65 yrs with traumatic brachial plexus injuries were identified. Patients
underwent manual muscle strength testing as assessed on the 5-point British
Medical Research Council Scale (5/5, normal; 0/5, absent) and quantitative elbow
flexion and extension strength measurements. RESULTS: A total of 92 subjects had
elbow flexion testing. Half of the subjects clinically assessed as having normal
(5/5) elbow flexion strength on manual muscle testing exhibited less than 42% of
their age-expected strength on quantitative testing. Eighty-four subjects had
elbow extension strength testing. Similarly, half of those displaying normal
elbow extension strength on manual muscle testing were found to have less than
62% of their age-expected values on quantitative testing. Significant differences
between manual muscle testing and quantitative findings were not detected for the
lesser (0-4) strength grades. CONCLUSIONS: Manual muscle testing, even when
performed by experienced clinicians, may be more misleading than expected for
subjects graded as having normal (5/5) strength. Manual muscle testing estimates
for the lesser strength grades (1-4/5) seem reasonably accurate.

Langue : ANGLAIS