Summary The aim of the present study was to provide alternative means of measurement and evaluation of muscle strength in rehabilitation practice and diagnostics. In the last few years many electronic devices for evaluation of muscle strength have developed. Contemporary studies have shown that in addition to the standard manual muscle testing muscle strength can be assessed more objectively and analytically using electronic dynamometers and equipment. The strain gauges are used as a tool of precision in the industry that allows measurement of mechanical loads by dynamometers. By using these tools is possible to obtain continuous digital measurement and recording of muscle strength.

Cervical radiculopathy is common in clinical practice. It is the main reason to neck pain. Depending on the severity, neck pain can interfere with daily activities. In this regard, in order to identify the symptoms and to undertake optimal treatment of the problem, a full clinical and functional examination must be performed. The most commonly used and imposed test in practice to assess the condition of the muscles is manual muscle testing (MMT). Recent studies of muscle dysfunction in various neuromuscular disorders have focused on the use of apparatus methods to assess and monitor functional recovery. For this reason, based on the successful results of the use of a manual electronic dynamometer, we applied in a clinical setting testing with Hand-Held Dynamometer (HHD) to monitor functional recovery in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Aim: The aim of the study was: to monitor and compare changes in muscle strength during functional recovery in patients with cervical radiculopathy using standard Manual Muscle Testing and Hand-Held Dynamometer. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in the period from December 2019 to April 2020. They were selected 16 patients of different origins of pain in the neck portion (osteochondrosis, spondylosis, disk herniation). Functional, hardware and statistical methods were used to monitor and evaluate the results. HDD-muscle testing was also included in the experimental group. Results: The practical experience of using a Hand-Held electronic dynamometer proved to be facilitation not only for the researcher but also for the patients. The inclusion of an HHD in the conducted research allowed fast and accurate assessment of the physical function and the weakened muscle groups. This allowed individual dosing and targeted exercise of weakened muscle groups in each individual patient. Conclusion: The use of HHD to assess muscle strength leads to objectification and a more rational presentation of the results of muscle strength testing.

Introduction: The total knee replacement is the definitive treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA). It is an effective intervention to correct OA-related functional limitation. In such patients postoperatively are observed significant differences in the biomechanics of the two knee joints. While bearing the body weight the unoperated knee joint becomes very painful, stiff and incapable of neutral positioning. These factors significantly hamper the initial training in gait with aids in the standard locomotive stereotype immediately after surgery for knee joint replacement, where walking plays an essential role in daily activities and has varied health benefits. Aim: The aim of the study was to check whether different types of gait with aids in the early postoperative period after total knee replacement have a different influence on the recovery process. Material and methods: This study was conducted between January 2017 and July 2018 in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the University Hospital “Kanev” – Rousse. It included 56 patients with unilateral total knee replacement after gonarthrosis, divided into a control and experimental group, each of 28 patients. All patients in both groups had knee extension deficit of the untreated knee joint. The patients in both groups followed the same physiotherapy programs, performed from about the 2nd postoperative day to the 21st day when they were discharged from the department. The difference between the patients in both subgroups was their gait pattern with two axillary crutches. Results and Discussion: There were statistically significant differences between both groups. One of the most significant differences was in ROM. In the experimental group patients, flexion was improved with an average of 20° more than in the control group patients. Also, in the operated joint, the patients in the experimental group had no contracture, whereas those in the control group showed 15° at the end of the follow-up period. Conclusion: The results of the study show that the choice of gait training in the following order “crutches, operated leg, crutches, untreated leg” in patients with extensor deficiency and contracture in the untreated knee is more appropriate than the standard type of training in walking with aids.

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