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Muscle strength in patients with chronic pain
C P van Wilgen1, L Akkerman, J Wieringa
1Painexpertise Centre, Department of Rehabilitation, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands. c.p.van.wilgen@rev.azg.nl
Objective:
To analyse the influence of chronic pain on muscle strength.
Design:
Muscle strength of patients with unilateral nonspecific chronic pain, in an upper or lower limb, were measured according to a standardized protocol using a hand-held dynamometer. Before and after muscle strength measurement, a visual analogue scale for pain intensity was assessed.
Results:
Forty patients were measured and the muscle strength of the painful side was 20-30% less than that of the nonpainful side. Strength reduction was seen in the whole limb. A significant correlation between pain intensity and reduced muscle strength in the painful limb existed for hip flexion, knee flexion, knee extension and three-point grip.
Conclusions:
A strength reduction of 20-30% in a painful limb seems to be 'normal' in chronic pain patients.