An Investigation into the Degree of Precision achieved by a Team of Hand Therapists and Surgeons using Hand Goniometry with a Standardised Protocol

Abstract

A multidisciplinary team of 26 plastic surgeons and hand therapists assessed the range of motion of one patient with Dupuytren's disease. Flexion of the middle and ring fingers (six joints) were assessed using a hand-held goniometer. Initially, team members took measurements using their own usual method of range of motion assessment and later the procedure was repeated utilising the standardised goniometry protocol provided. Results indicate that the hand therapists' precision changed very little throughout the study, as many were already aware of and utilising a standardised assessment protocol. The introduction of the standardised protocol positively influenced the precision results in the surgeon group. The findings would support the need for the use of standardised goniometry protocol when assessing range of motion to improve clinicians’ precision with the tool and therefore maintain reliability of their results.