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Dynamometer testing identifies patients to benefit from focused physical therapy
Preoperative testing using the Jamar hydraulic dynamometer may be beneficial to identify patients who require longer inpatient stays and benefit from early nutritional intervention and focused physical therapy, according to this study.
Researchers assessed average measurements of pinch grip, power grip and grip endurance using the Jamar hydraulic dynamometer among 164 patients undergoing total knee and hip arthroplasty in a preadmission clinic. Duration of inpatient stay of each patient was recorded.
Average duration of hospital stay was 9.4 days. Researchers found a significant negative correlation between both average pinch grip strength and average power grip strength with duration of inpatient stay. Compared with patients with a pinch grip greater than 6.3 kg, patients with pinch grip strength less than 6.3 kg remained an inpatient for an average of 2 days longer.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.