The Manual Muscle Test (MMT) uses a grading scale from 0 to 5 to assess muscle strength. Here's a breakdown of the five grades:
MMT Grading Scale: 0-5
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0: Zero: No muscle contraction is palpable or visible. This indicates a complete absence of muscle function.
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1: Trace: A slight muscle contraction is palpable, but no movement occurs at the joint. There's minimal muscle activity.
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2: Poor: The muscle can move the joint through its full range of motion (ROM) only if gravity is eliminated. The patient can move the limb when it's supported, but not against the force of gravity.
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3: Fair: The muscle can move the joint through its full ROM against gravity, but not against any added resistance. The patient can move the limb against gravity, but not when any additional force is applied.
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4: Good: The muscle can move the joint through its full ROM against gravity and some resistance. The patient can move the limb against gravity and a moderate amount of resistance applied by the examiner.
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5: Normal: The muscle can move the joint through its full ROM against gravity and maximal resistance. The patient's muscle strength is normal and can overcome strong resistance applied by the examiner.
It's important to note that some variations in grading may exist depending on the specific testing protocols used by different healthcare professionals. However, the core principles remain consistent across most MMT systems. The provided references support this 0-5 grading system. For more detailed information on specific testing procedures, consult physical therapy resources and relevant professional guidelines.
