APPLICATION OF HAND-HELD DYNAMOMETER FOR MONITORING FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY IN PATIENTS WITH CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY

Abstract

Cervical radiculopathy is common in clinical practice. It is the main reason to neck pain. Depending on the severity, neck pain can interfere with daily activities. In this regard, in order to identify the symptoms and to undertake optimal treatment of the problem, a full clinical and functional examination must be performed. The most commonly used and imposed test in practice to assess the condition of the muscles is manual muscle testing (MMT). Recent studies of muscle dysfunction in various neuromuscular disorders have focused on the use of apparatus methods to assess and monitor functional recovery. For this reason, based on the successful results of the use of a manual electronic dynamometer, we applied in a clinical setting testing with Hand-Held Dynamometer (HHD) to monitor functional recovery in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Aim: The aim of the study was: to monitor and compare changes in muscle strength during functional recovery in patients with cervical radiculopathy using standard Manual Muscle Testing and Hand-Held Dynamometer. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in the period from December 2019 to April 2020. They were selected 16 patients of different origins of pain in the neck portion (osteochondrosis, spondylosis, disk herniation). Functional, hardware and statistical methods were used to monitor and evaluate the results. HDD-muscle testing was also included in the experimental group. Results: The practical experience of using a Hand-Held electronic dynamometer proved to be facilitation not only for the researcher but also for the patients. The inclusion of an HHD in the conducted research allowed fast and accurate assessment of the physical function and the weakened muscle groups. This allowed individual dosing and targeted exercise of weakened muscle groups in each individual patient. Conclusion: The use of HHD to assess muscle strength leads to objectification and a more rational presentation of the results of muscle strength testing.

Keywords

• neck pain
• cervical radiculopathy
• manual muscle testing
• hand-held dynamometer
• physical therapy