Finger Dynamography

Abstract

The movements of the MP and PIP joints occur together and enable the fingers to acquire different postures. A graphic record of these movements gives an idea of the working space of the fingers. Normally, the tracing forms the shape of a quadrangle with almost parallel sides. If muscle paralysis occurs or joints are diseased, the shape of the quadrangle—the “working space”—becomes distorted. Different patterns of distortion are seen with different finger problems.

“Finger dynamography” is a simple bedside procedure requiring only a goniometer. If supplemented with additional data on pinch and grip strengths and sensibility, it gives a pictorial record which is easy to interpret and can be used for documentation.