The importance of manual muscle testing in the examination of patients with injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system: analytical review of scientific literature

Abstract

Purpose: the aim of the study is to analyse the world experience of the need for manual muscle testing in physical therapy for injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Materials and methods. Using Internet search databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Schoolar, PEDro) a bibliosystematic review of information sources and analysis of materials on the need for manual muscle testing in orthopaedic patients was carried out. Results. The practice of a physical therapist is based on evidence and includes: the best reliable results obtained in scientific research, clinical experience, individual values and expectations of the patient (M.A. Mazepa, 2017). Muscle strength testing provides information useful for the differential diagnosis, prognosis and management of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders (F.P. Kendall, E. Kendall McCreary, P. Geise Provance, M. McIntyre Rodgers, and W.A. Romani, 2005). Although there are many methods of assessing muscle strength, there are three key approaches that are described in publications by leading experts and used in the practice of physical therapists: isokinetic, isotonic and isometric testing. Manual muscle testing helps to determine the extent and degree of muscle weakness caused by a specific disease or injury. Muscle testing is necessary to provide a basis for further planning of rehabilitation therapeutic procedures. Manual muscle testing is used to assess the function and strength of an individual muscle, muscle group, based on the effective performance of the movement in relation to gravity and manual resistance. In Ukraine, the most common manual muscle testing scale is the Lovett, however, they are also used for Medical Research Council, MRC (Oxford Muscle Strength Scale), Manual muscle testing scale “Daniels and Worthinghmans Manual Muscle Testing Scale”, muscle testing scale “Kendall Muscle Testing Scale”. The publication describes a case with the use of a muscle testing scale “Kendall Muscle Testing Scale” (a 40-year-old female patient with an injury to the second right metacarpophalangeal joint (articulationes metacarpophalangeae)). Muscle strength testing is important, and understanding the factors that can affect muscle strength is also important to clinically validate why a person is experiencing a loss of strength. In the rehabilitation of patients with injuries and disabilities musculoskeletal system scale MRC is the most commonly used scale for assessment. MRC easy to perform and easy to fill in the protocol. Conclusions. The analysed literature data confirmed the importance of manual muscle testing in the examination of patients with musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. Equally important is the consistency of methods to obtain reliable and valid examination results. A number of scientists point out the need to understand the factors that affect muscle strength and improve clinical thinking skills. Manual muscle testing is an important clinical skill that needs to be practiced in order to acquire the necessary skills and experience in the rehabilitation of orthopaedic patients.