Rainville, James; Noto, Damon J.; Jouve, Cristin ; Jenis, Louis.
The objective of this syudy was to explore the clinical utility and reliability of manual muscle testing of forearm pronation strength in C6 and C7 radiculopathies. Fifty-five subjects with diagnostic imaging evidence of either C6 or C7 cervical root compression and clinical symptoms consistent with cervical radiculopathy were recruited for this study. These subjects underwent manual muscle testing of forearm pronation, wrist extension, elbow flexion, and elbow extension. The frequency of impaired strength was recorded and compared for C6 and C7 radiculopathies. The results showed that forearm pronation weakness is the most frequent motor finding in C6 radiculopathies and may be noted is some cases of C7 nerve root compression.
Spine. 32(1):72-75, January 1, 2007.