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Visual estimation of finger angles: do we need goniometers?

V Rose¹, C C Nduka, J A Pereira

¹Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Queen Victoria Hospital, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3DZ, UK. dr.vic@arsenalfc.net

Journal of Hand Surgery (Edinburgh, Scotland)

|August 7, 2002

Summary

Visual estimation of hand joint angles is inaccurate, with a mean error of 25%. Hand surgery experience improves accuracy, but goniometers are recommended for precise measurements in hand surgery patients.

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Area of Science:

Orthopedics
Hand Surgery
Anatomy

Background:

Accurate measurement of joint angles is crucial in hand surgery for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Visual estimation is a common but potentially imprecise method used by clinicians.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the accuracy of visual estimation in measuring metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joint angles.
To identify factors influencing the accuracy of joint angle estimation in hand surgery patients.

Main Methods:

Seventy-one plastic surgeons and therapists visually estimated joint angles from a hand cast.
Data on clinician seniority, experience, goniometer use, and hand surgery interest were collected.

Main Results:

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Visual estimation showed a mean inaccuracy of approximately 25% (median percentage error 22%).

Hand surgery experience and interest correlated positively with accuracy.

No significant difference in accuracy was found between regular goniometer users and non-users.

Conclusions:

Visual estimation of hand joint angles is inherently inaccurate, despite improvements with experience.
Goniometric measurement is recommended for precise angle assessment in hand surgery patients.