Grading of Muscle Strength
Grading of muscle strength*:
| Grade | Strength | Description |
| 5** | Normal | Normal strength |
| 4** | Good | Movement against external resistance but less than normal |
| 3 | Fair | Movement against gravity but not against added resistance |
| 2 | Poor | Movement at the joint with gravity eliminated |
| 1 | Trace | Trace of contraction but no movement at the joint |
| 0 | Zero | No contraction or muscle movement |
*Note in the presence of an acute laceration pain may make it impossible for the patient to apply normal force to their extension effort. There the conclusion of the muscle testing may have to be limited to (1) tendon intact, (2) tendon partially intact or undeterminable, or (3) tendon completely lacerated and function not intact. **The distinction between Grades 4 and 5 is based on comparison with the normal hand and, barring that, examiner’s experience in testing individual muscle tendon units. | ||