Manual Muscle Testing of the Scapula and the Upper Limb through Bedside Examination

Neurological examination is an important tool in diagnosing patients with neurological and neurosurgical conditions. As the complexity and knowledge of neurological and neurosurgical conditions increases, we are now required to learn and indoctrinate our peers and students with the correct skills and methods of examination. Emphasis on the correct techniques of testing muscle strength is essential to avoid errors in recording muscle power and in testing specific muscles which may have overlapping functions. The manual muscle testing of muscles of scapula and upper limbs was performed as to mimic a bedside clinical examination and involved an examiner, a patient and a videographer. The manual muscle testing has been performed in rostrocaudal manner starting from the scapula and ending with the thumbs. A reliable and consistent method of manual muscle testing is lacking among students and clinicians. By adhering to the methods delineated in our text and accompanying video, we hope to reduce inter-examiner variability and increase the reliability and validity of this important examination.