Abstract
Shoulder active range of flexion, abduction and external rotation was measured with three devices in 33 subjects using a blinded protocol. The aim was to compare the accuracy and interobserver reliability of the goniometers. The devices used were the routine clinical goniometer as used clinically with and without the elbow flexed to 90 degrees, differential goniometers incorporated into a tightly fitting brace holding the elbow at 90 degrees flexion, and the Isotrak II electromagnetic coupling laboratory equipment which was used as the reference tool and in addition was used to make simultaneous measurements of trunkal movements.
For the measurement of flexion and external rotation, there was no significant difference in interobserver reliability between the goniometric methods. There was a small difference when measuring abduction with the brace mounted differential goniometers being the most accurate. The striking finding was the poor accuracy and over-measurement error of both goniometric methods, over-measuring by 34 degrees for flexion, 43 degrees for abduction, and 15 degrees for external rotation. Trunkal movements are shown to account for part of this error but humeral rotation was also noted.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Roger Emery. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the British Orthopaedic Association, Royal College of Surgeons, 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN
