Rating for Strength Deficit

Saturday, March 10, 2007 | 0

By Dr. Christopher Brigham

This week's tip is courtesy of Leslie Dilbeck, our Senior Consultant.

In terms of rating on the basis of grip strength loss, the Guides discuss the issues of strength evaluation and its very limited role in impairment evaluation (Section 16.8). A few points to consider based on Section 16.8 of the Guides:

* Grip strength loss cannot be rated in the presence of compression neuropathies (Section 16.5d), pain, loss of motion, deformities or absence of parts (Section 16.8 a) that would impact the application of maximal force during testing.

* Grip strength loss is only rated in rare cases when the examiner believes that the loss of strength represents an impairing factor that has not been considered by other rating methods (Section 16.8a). In most cases, there is a more reliable method than rating for grip strength deficit for determining impairment.

* Measurements should be done in all five positions of a dynamometer and demonstrate a bell-shaped curve to be considered valid results (Section 16.8b).

* Rapid exchange grip technique should be done to ensure maximum effort by examinee (Section 16.8b).

* An explanantion or interpretation of any findings which may be incongruent with other evaluator's findings or inconsistent with the pathology present should be included with any report.

We hope this information is helpful to you in your impairment rating process.

Brigham is the editor of the Guides Newsletter and Guides Casebook. To view more of these tips visit:

www.impairment.com/tips

----------------------------------------

The views and opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of workcompcentral.com, its editors or management.