A patient is able to lift their leg off the bed, but is unable to keep it elevated when an examiner exerts an opposing force. Using a scale of 0 - 5, what motor score would you assign to this movement? |
Answer:
This would be given a score of 3/5.
Motor Function Grading Scale:
- no muscle movement at all
- a flicker of contraction, either felt or observed; insufficient to produce limb movement
- ability to generate enough contraction to move the limb horizontally
- ability to produce enough mucle contraction to lift a limb or joint against gravity
- ability to hold a limb against gravity, and produce some resistance against an opposing force
- normal power; ability to maintain a contraction and overcome an opposing force
References: Waxman, S. (1996). Correlative Neuroanatomy. 23rd Ed. Stamford: Lange. pp 232.
Brenda Morgan
Clinical Educator,
CCTC June 23, 2000
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