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Updated: Jan 30, 2026
Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients
Published on: April 12, 2011
Effect on muscle strength of the upper extremities after open elbow arthrolysis
Wei Chen1, Wei Wang2,3, Zhiwei Li1
1Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Open elbow arthrolysis manipulates tendons and soft tissues surrounding the elbow and may lead to strength decline after the operation. We hypothesized that strength of elbow and wrist motions and handgrip could be compromised after the procedure and that the strength recovery pattern may differ between men and women and between the dominant and nondominant side.
Methods:
This was a prospective cohort study. We monitored 32 patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness who underwent open arthrolysis between June 2014 and December 2014. All patients underwent standardized postoperative physical therapy. Preoperative and postoperative isometric strength were measured by a handheld dynamometer. Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and arc of motion (AOM) were also analyzed.
Results:
Mean follow-up was 26.13 months. Significant improvement was noticed in mean AOM (from 46° to 127°) and MEPS (from 67.97 to 96.86). No significant decline was noted in isometric strength at the last follow-up day. The strength ratios between men and women showed no significant difference from postoperative day 7 to the last follow-up day. At all follow-up assessments, isometric strength showed no significant difference between the dominant and nondominant side.
Conclusions:
AOM and MEPS achieved significant enhancement after open elbow arthrolysis. The procedure did not lead to isometric strength decline. Postoperative gain of strength was proportional to the baseline strength level of each muscle group, and men had a more prominent gain of strength than women during the entire follow-up. Dominance had no effect on postoperative strength recovery.
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