The daily educational pearl – grading power

Basic knowledge again, but I’ve noticed some interesting numbers used to grade motor power in some medical notes recently, so I thought a reminder would be useful:

5   normal power

4   moderate movement against resistance

4 plus – submaximal movement against resistance

4 minus – slight movement against resistance

3   movement is possible against gravity but not if any further resistance is added

2 movement is possible when gravity is excluded

1 flicker of contraction possible

0 complete paralysis / no movement