Monitoring motor nerve function in leprosy patients

Manual muscle strength testing has an important function in the management of leprosy patients. Its importance was first recognized in the 1960s, espe cially when following patients who were started on steroid treatment to mon itor the nerve function and the effect of treatment. In those days, and sti ll in many centres today, many or all muscles were tested that are innervat ed by the nerves that can be at risk in leprosy. The author argues that not all muscles innervated by the nerves at risk need to be tested and also th at many muscles cannot be tested in isolation. A muscle charting form is pr esented which is suitable for screening purposes, and that also allows for more detail when motor function is impaired.