Muscle power functions
Two instruments are recommended for the assessment of muscle strength. Raw strength is ascertained for both sides using a hand dynamometer. Finger strength is tested using the Pinch Gauge, an instrument that measures strength of precision grips (key grip, 2 point and 3 point grips).
Hand dynamometer
Screening
Required material: Hand dynamometer with kg scale
Procedure: The patient stands or sits upright on a chair. The measurement is taken at the ‘2nd position’ (elbows inflected at 90˚, adducted shoulders and in a neutral position in pronation and supination; the wrist is extended between 0˚ and 30˚ and abducted towards ulnar between 0˚ and 15˚). Three measurements are taken alternately for each side (the afflicted and healthy hand). The results for each test are noted in kg, the average for each as well as the difference between sides is calculated.
Documentation example:
Pinch Gauge
Screening
Required material: Strength measuring device for precision grips
Procedure: The patient stands or sits upright with the elbow of the hand to be tested bent at 90˚. Three measurements are taken alternately for the afflicted and healthy hand, for the lateral grip, the two-point and the three-point grip. The results for each test are noted in kg, the average for each as well as the difference between sides is calculated.
Documentation example:
