1. Jamar Digital Hand Dynamometer

Patient Positioning

For standard grip strength testing, the patient should ideally be seated with:

• Shoulder adducted and neutrally rotated
• Elbow flexed at 90°
• Forearm in a neutral position
• Wrist slightly extended

Maintaining a consistent position between tests improves repeatability.

Testing Technique

• Ensure the handle is adjusted to the appropriate grip position for the patient’s hand size.
• Instruct the patient to squeeze as hard as possible for 3 to 5 seconds.
• Encourage maximum effort without jerking or sudden movements.
• Conduct three trials on each hand where required by your protocol.

Best Practice

• Allow a short rest period between tests to minimise fatigue.
• Test the same hand in the same position each time.
• Compare results against previous assessments rather than relying solely on a single measurement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Allowing body movement to assist the squeeze.
• Testing with different handle positions between sessions.
• Measuring immediately after strenuous hand activity or therapy.

2. Jamar Digital Pinch Gauge

Pinch Types to Test

Key Pinch

• Thumb presses against the side of the index finger.
• Commonly used to assess functional pinch strength for everyday tasks.

Tip Pinch

• Thumb presses against the tip of the index finger.
• Evaluates fine motor control and fingertip strength.

Three-Point (Palmar) Pinch

• Thumb opposes the index and middle fingers.
• Frequently used for functional hand assessments.

Testing Technique

• Position the pinch gauge appropriately for the pinch type being tested.
• Ask the patient to squeeze gradually until maximum force is achieved.
• Hold the effort briefly before releasing.

Best Practice

• Test pinch types separately.
• Record multiple trials and average the results.
• Use consistent hand positioning throughout all patient visits.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Allowing grip assistance from the remaining fingers.
• Inconsistent finger placement on the gauge.
• Leaning or using body weight to assist force generation.

3. Jamar 5½” Finger Goniometer

Alignment Tips

Proper alignment is critical for accurate measurements:

• Place the goniometer pivot over the joint’s axis of motion.
• Align one arm with the stationary segment.
• Align the other arm with the moving segment.

Measuring Finger Joints

MCP Joint

Measure movement between the metacarpal and proximal phalanx.

PIP Joint

Measure movement between the proximal and middle phalanx.

DIP Joint

Measure movement between the middle and distal phalanx.

Best Practice

• Measure both active and passive motion if clinically relevant.
• Position the hand consistently between sessions.
• Record the exact joint tested and whether flexion or extension was measured.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Misaligning the goniometer axis.
• Reading the wrong scale.
• Allowing adjacent joints to move during measurement.

Getting the Most from the Complete Hand Evaluation Set

When used together, the three instruments provide a comprehensive assessment of hand function:

A typical assessment sequence is:

1. Measure finger and thumb range of motion.
2. Assess pinch strength.
3. Complete grip strength testing.
4. Record and compare results with previous evaluations.

Following the same procedure at each appointment helps clinicians accurately monitor rehabilitation progress, treatment effectiveness, and functional recovery.

Choose S.I. Instruments for precision you can trust, compliance you can rely on, and service that delivers confidence.