Strength Physical Exam

Here is a photo depiction of the strength exam. It helps me remember what a '3' or '4' really means. After you do a manual physical exam, give a number out of 5 for muscle strength. You can also assign a + or - to a number to further describe the strength. Keep in mind you need the patient to be cooperative with an exam to assess strength accurately.

References:
Medical Research Council. Aids to the examination of the peripheral nervous system, Memorandum no. 45. Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1981.
Shefner, J. (2019, September 25). Muscle examination in the evaluation of weakness. UpToDate. Retrieved February 20, 2022, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/muscle-examination-in-the-evaluation-of-weakness?search=strength+grading§ionRank=2&usage_type=default&anchor=H10&source=machineLearning&selectedTitle=1~150&display_rank=1#H5 Published: February 20, 2022