What is a sequence for testing power in the legs?
Examining the power of the limb is a part of the neurological examination. In the exam the physician asks the patient to contract every set of muscle and then tries to overpower it. All the movements of the muscle group are checked including: extension, flexion, eversion and inversion. The examiner then calculates a score out of 5 which signifies the power. Score zero signifies no contraction at all. Score 1 means muscle contraction but no joint movement. Score 2 means active joint movement but excluding the gravity component. Score 3 means joint movement can overcome gravity but not resistance. Score 4 means can move against some resistance. Score 5 means full and normal power. It is started at the hip and the examiner moves distally to knee and ankle joints.
