Electromyography and manual muscle testing in the evaluation of a musculocutaneous nerve injury

The purpose of this case study was to report the use of electromyography (EMG) and manual muscle testing (MMT) in evaluating a musculocutaneous nerve injury and monitoring its recovery. The patient had suffered recurrent dislocations of the left glenohumeral joint playing football. Subsequent to surgical repair of the joint, he developed a musculocutaneous nerve palsy. Evaluations that included concurrent MMT and EMG examinations were performed over a period of 38 months. The EMG detected evidence of regeneration earlier than MMT, suggesting that EMG should be considered a primary tool for evaluating nerve function, especially in the early stages. Manual muscle testing can give valuable information on the state of the nerve's functional return, especially when reinnervation is occurring. Results of the total evaluation, including EMG and MMT examinations, were utilized by the examiner in making clinical judgments about the state of recovery of the musculocutaneous nerve. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1991;13(2)85-88.