Using one of the latest tools to measure muscle strength and function, this strength assessment helps to ascertain any weaknesses in the body and which exercises will be best to treat them.
When your physiotherapist is completing their assessment, they will always aim to get the most accurate information they can. Accurate and clear information about your body and the reason that your injury has occurred, ensures that they can be targeted in their treatment and guidance. Not only will this make sure you are doing the right exercises to fix your complaint, it will possibly save you time and money on wasted appointments and treatment sessions.
Muscular balance and muscle strength is very frequently a large part of why injuries occur, and although your physio can get an impression of how strong each muscle group is, without this piece of equipment we are not able to be very accurate. A hand-held dynamometer however can give a clear objective measure of each muscle group to know whether you do have weakness or a muscular imbalance.
And its not just in the assessment phase where a hand-held dynamometer can help, it is also fantastic to show improvement in your strength and help to decide when you are ready for the next phase of your rehabilitation.
This piece of equipment is just one of many things we might use to help diagnose your injury, provide you an accurate prognosis, and help you return to what you want to do as quickly as we possibly can!
Hand-held dynamometry (HHD) is a tool used by physiotherapists to objectively measure muscle strength. It provides precise data on the force a muscle or muscle group can generate, helping to assess weakness or imbalance, track progress, and guide rehabilitation programs.
Unlike traditional manual muscle testing, which relies on a therapist’s judgment, HHD provides quantifiable strength measurements, making it a reliable way to monitor improvements over time. It is commonly used for:
Injury assessment – Identifying muscle imbalances or weakness after an injury
Post-surgical rehabilitation – Measuring recovery progress after procedures like ACL reconstruction or joint replacements.
Neurological conditions – Assessing muscle function in conditions like stroke or nerve injuries
Sports performance – Evaluating strength to optimize training programs and prevent injuries
By using hand-held dynamometry, physiotherapists can design more effective, personalized treatment plans and ensure that patients are progressing safely and efficiently at the ideal level for their body.
Yes, hand-held dynamometry (HHD) is a safe and non-invasive method for measuring muscle strength. It is commonly used in physiotherapy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation to assess muscle function and track progress over time.
Hand-held dynamometry (HHD) is a reliable and objective tool used by physiotherapists and healthcare professionals to measure muscle strength. While it does not diagnose medical conditions directly, it plays a crucial role in identifying muscle weakness, imbalances, and functional limitations that may be related to underlying conditions. It helps assess progress in rehabilitation, determine baseline strength, and guide treatment plans.
Hand-held dynamometry is commonly used to assess muscle strength following injuries or in cases of musculoskeletal dysfunction, including:
HHD is valuable for detecting muscle weakness and functional decline in neurological disorders, helping guide rehabilitation strategies. It is often used for conditions such as:
Post-operative recovery often involves strength assessment to monitor healing and guide rehabilitation. HHD is frequently used after:
Muscle weakness and imbalances often contribute to chronic pain conditions. HHD helps identify these deficits and guide strengthening programs for:
HHD is commonly used to assess muscle strength in older adults to evaluate fall risk and functional independence:
In athletic populations, HHD helps in:
HHD can assist in occupational health assessments by evaluating strength limitations that affect work-related tasks, including:
Limitations of Hand-Held Dynamometry:
While HHD is a valuable tool for assessing strength, it cannot:
Hand-held dynamometry is an essential tool for detecting muscle weakness, guiding rehabilitation, and monitoring progress across a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and chronic conditions. It provides objective data that help physiotherapists create targeted treatment plans, track recovery, and make informed decisions about return to activity or sport.
If you’re recovering from an injury, surgery, or managing a chronic condition, HHD can play a key role in ensuring your rehabilitation is both safe and effective.