What does a Manual Muscle Testing score of '0' indicate?

A Manual Muscle Testing score of '0' indicates the absence of any muscle contraction, whether visible or palpable. This score is critical in evaluating the functional capabilities of a muscle. When a muscle is assigned a score of '0', it signifies that there is no muscle activity detected at all when tested, which can have diagnostic implications regarding nerve involvement or severe muscular impairment.

In clinical practice, understanding this scoring is essential as it helps clinicians determine the appropriate rehabilitation strategies and interventions required for the patient. Other scores, such as trace contraction or representations of full range of motion against gravity, reflect different levels of muscle function, which do not align with a score of '0'.