INTRODUCTION: Range of motion following TKA is a commonly assessed and important outcome parameter. The reported knee ROM is often measured using manual goniometers. The accuracy of goniometer in measuring ROM of the knee is not known. We compared the knee ROM measured with a manual goniometer and compared that to measurements obtained from computer assisted navigation system. METHODS: This prospective ongoing study has so far recruited 60 patients (71 knees) undergoing TKA by a single surgeon. Measurements of the ROM were performed intraoperatively using a 14 inch 360° Nexgen Baseline® goniometer, validated by physical therapists, and the Stryker knee navigation system. ™. Consistent anatomical landmarks were used to obtain flexion and extension measurements. Each goniometer and navigation measurement was performed twice by the same reader. RESULTS: Goniometer was more inaccurate in measuring the knee ROM than the navigation. There was a 5.07° difference between two measurements obtained with the goniometer compared to a mean discrepancy of 1.15° using the navigation system. Further, the ROM measured by navigation was on average 13.9° larger than that measured by the goniometer. BMI affected the ROM recording obtained by both the goniometer and the navigation system. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study indicates that goniometer is not an accurate tool for measurements of knee ROM as there is a marked discrepancy between two goniometer readings. The navigation system seemed to produce more consistent, but markedly higher, readings than a manual goniometer. Reported results on knee ROM in the literature need to be interpreted with caution and scrutinized for potential inaccuracy of the measuring tool

Work in the clinical environment led to the identification of the need for an instrument that was capable of continuously monitoring lumbar spinal curves of patients with back pain in order to establish degree of compliance with therapist advice regarding posture and activity during their normal day. Additionally, work by others in the laboratory setting has started to reveal some differences in motion parameters between those with and without back pain. Although there are changes of, in particular, maximum angular velocity associated with pathology of the spine, these changes may be considered the effects of the pathology. By looking at motion parameters taken over longer periods of time, more subtle differences, hopefully more related to possible causes of back pain, may be eventually identified. Factors such as time spent at extremes of range of motion and degree of activity or inactivity may have as great an affect on the production of back pain as vibration and heavy physical load. Unfortunately, even those factors thought most likely to contribute to the onset of back pain have only ever been proven to explain a small percentage of cases. By logging lumbar spinal curves continuously over many hours, profiles of lumbar spinal usage can be calculated thus enabling study of the relationships between posture, activity and pain production. Conventional instrumentation can not be used in the users normal environment either because of bulk or interference from everyday appliances. A small optical fibre goniometer (OFG) and data logger has been developed that is capable of continuously monitoring lumbar sagittal curves. It is robust and suitable for use in normal working environments. For use on the lumbar spine, the instrument’s stiffness was kept to a minimum to make it as comfortable to wear as possible. This has resulted in an instrument that is capable of reproduction of standard curves, in a jig, with a RMS error of 1°. A stiffer instrument would produce smaller errors. Comparative studies against other instruments have been carried out but are not yet published. The instrument takes the form of a small base plate, designed to be glued to the skin over the sacrum, and a flexible rod that is held in place over the lumbar spinous processes by two guide tubes also glued to the skin. The OFG weighs 25g and the datalogger 250g. The OFG and logger can be run safely for over 30 hours at a maximum logging frequency of 50 Hz. The datalogger has a facility for entry of coded information via selector switches which allow the user to put markers on the data train which could be activity of pain behaviour related. Initial trials have been carried out using the instrument to obtain motion profiles of 80 “normal” individuals, 10 males and 10 females from each of 4 age groupings; 20 to 29; 30 to 39; 40 to 49; 50 to 59. Logging duration was normally six hours during their working day. Data was collected at 25Hz. It was established that the instrument was able to produce basic motion parameters that were similar to other instruments. Although, no significant differences in ROM were found with age there were significant differences found between males and females in terms of end range flexion and extension. Additionally, the amplitude of oscillations of spinal curve during walking was found to significantly decrease with age. This may have been indicative of general stiffening of the lumbar spine with age or associated with a possible decrease in walking speed with age. It is envisaged that the instrument will find use in both ergonomic analysis as well as the study of the management of back pain. Use of the instrument to investigate patient compliance with therapist advice is planned and will hopefully help to develop the management of patients with low back trouble. Future development of the instrument is hoped to include incorporation of a sensor to monitor the angle of the base plate, as this will allow better interpretation of the data from the logger post data collection. Additionally information of base plate angle will allow some simple load calculations to be made. Repeatability trials have been carried out using human subjects. Here, the major source of variability was found to be the subjects themselves. Reapplication error was found to be small, compared to subject variability. Comparison with measurements taken using the flexicurve technique and also the Skill System (similar to Isotrak or Fastrak) has been undertaken. Here the two systems were found to follow each other achieving correlation coefficients of 0.99. However, more critical forms of analysis revealed relatively large differences, although these were no greater than others that have compared the inclinometer technique with the flexicurve

Dynamic assessment of the wrist motion and the specific angles are difficult using the conventional methods. We wanted to adapt and assess the repeatability of the Fas-trak system for continuous monitoring of three dimensional (3 D) wrist movements.

Twenty seven volunteers, aged 18 to 30 years were asked to perform predetermined tasks. The exclusion criteria were previous history of wrist trauma or joint disease. The transmitter was mounted on the dorsum of the forearm while the sensor was placed over the third metacarpal head. The protocol of three tasks was developed. Task 1 measured maximal flexion, extension, radial and ulnar deviation of the wrist. Task 2 involved picking up an object and moving it across a barrier. Task 3 involved the writing simulation. The comparison between the left and the right wrists indicated suitability of the system to be used on either of the limbs. Repeated measurements on the right wrist provided an assessment of repeatability of the Fastrak system.

The Fastrak system was successful in acquiring data in 3 D. The transmitter and the sensor were easy to attach and were of no discomfort to the subjects. As expected the maximum movement was noted in the flexion-extension plane. The total arc of movement in the flexion-extension plane was 127.1 degrees and 69.7 degrees in the radio-ulnar plane. There was no statistically signifi-cant difference between the movements in the left and the right wrists, even when the effect of dominance was considered. The lift and move task showed that most subjects utilised three-fourths of the total possible radio-ulnar movement, but only one-thirds of the total flexion and extension. The writing simulation revealed a substantial variability between subjects. The Fastrak system revealed variation up to 3 degrees in the means of range of movements, while measuring wrist movements.

The current study showed that the Fastrak system is a user-friendly and repeatable device, which could be used in everyday clinical use. It has the potential to be used for evaluation of the diseased wrist and the results of therapeutic interventions, operative or otherwise.

Distal radius fractures are common in South Africa. Accurate, decisive radiographic parameter interpretation is key in appropriate management. Digital radiographic facilities are rare in the public setting and goniometer usage is known to be low, thus, visual estimates are the primary form of radiographic assessment. Previous research associated orthopaedic experience with accuracy of distal radius fracture parameter estimation but, oftentimes, doctors treating orthopaedic patients are not experienced in orthopaedics. A cross-sectional questionnaire including four distal radius fracture radiographs administered to 149 orthopaedic doctors at three Johannesburg teaching hospitals. Participants grouped into ranks of: consultants (n=36), registrars (n=41), medical officers (n=20) and interns (n=52). Participants visually estimated values of distal radius fracture parameters, stated whether they would accept the position of the fractures and stated their percentage of routine usage of goniometers in real practice. The registrar group was most accurate in visually estimating radial height, whilst the interns were least accurate (p=0.0237). The consultant, registrar and medical officer groups were equally accurate in estimating radial inclination whilst the intern group was the least accurate (p<0.0001). The consultant and registrar group were equally accurate at estimating volar tilt, whilst the medical officer and intern groups were least accurate (p<0.0001). The Gwet's AC agreement was 0.1612 (p=0.047) for acceptance of position of the first radiograph, 0.8768 (p<0.0001) for the second, 0.8884 (p<0.0001) for the third and 0.8064 (p<0.0001) for the fourth. All groups showed no difference in goniometer usage, using them largely 0–25% of practice (p=0.1937). The study found that accuracy in visual estimations of distal radius fracture parameters was linked to orthopaedic experience but not linked to routine practice goniometer usage, which was minimal across all groups. Inter-rater agreement on acceptability of fracture position is potentially dependent on severity of deviation from acceptable parameters

Recently, several smartphone applications (apps) have been developed and validated for ankle ROM measurement tools like the universal goniometer. This is the first innovative study introduces a new smartphone application to measure ankle joint ROM as a remote solution. This study aimed to assess the correlation between smartphone ROM and universal goniometer measurements, and also report the evaluation of the DijiA app by users. The study included 22 healthy university students (14F/8M; 20.68±1.72 years) admitted to Yeditepe University. Fourty four feet was measured by both the universal goniometer (UG) and DijiA app. The datas were analyzed through using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The DijiA app was evaluated by usability testing with representative users. Pearson correlation coefficient test showed moderate correlation between the DijiA and UG for dorsiflexion (DF) and plantar flexion (PF) measurements (Pearson correlation coefficient: r=0.323, for DF; r=0.435 for PF 95% confidence interval). The application usability was found as high with 76.5 average score and users liked it. The DijiA app may be a more convenient and easy way to measure ankle DF and PF-ROM than UG. It can be used to evaluate ROM in clinical practice or home using as a personal smartphone

Introduction. Intraoperative assessment of coronal alignment is important when performing corrective osteotomies around the knee and ankle, limb lengthening and trauma surgery. The Joint Angle Tool (JAT) provides surgeons with information about the anatomic and mechanical axes intraoperatively based on true anteroposterior radiographs. Aim: Presentation of the JAT, a low-cost goniometer for intraoperative assessment of the lower limb alignment. Materials and Methods. The JAT consists of pre-printed joint orientation angles of the anatomic and mechanical axis including normal variations on a plastic sheet. It is placed on the screen of the image intensifier after obtaining a true anterior-posterior image. The pre-printed joint orientation angles can intraoperatively assist the surgeons in achieving the pre-planned axis correction. Here, its feasibility is demonstrated in four cases. Results. Here, we present the intraoperative use of JAT in four cases:. 77 mm femoral bone transport due to non-union utilizing a bone transport nail,. distal femoral osteotomy correcting coronal and torsional malalignment using a retrograde intramedullary trauma nail,. proximal / high tibial open wedge osteotomy with an intramedullary implant correcting varus malalignment in a hypophosphatemic rickets patient, and. a supramalleolar, closing wedge osteotomy realigning the anatomic axis with a plate and screws. Conclusions. The JAT is a modified goniometer which allows intraoperative assessment of the mechanical and anatomic axis. JAT is applicable throughout the entire surgical procedure irrespective of the method of internal fixation and may provide additional reassurance of correct alignment. The JAT consists of a plastic sheet with printed joint orientation angles and their normal variation. JAT is freely available from . profeedback.dk/JAT/JAT.pdf. for use and modification according to Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Abstract. Aim. This study aims to Inter and intra observer reliability compare, use of a standard goniometer (SG) to measure intermetacarpal angle (degrees) vs use of a new technique of using a digital vernier calliper (DVC) (mm) to measure the distance between the first and second metacarpal head. Method. Maximal active abduction and extension of both thumbs was measured in 20 healthy volunteers on two occasions at least one week apart by two assessors. Results. The inter and intra-observer agreement was higher & the variance of the data was lower using the DVC with the new technique than the SG for both thumb abduction and extension. Additionally, the correlation between measurement of extension and abduction was higher using the DVC than the SG. Conclusion. Whilst both tools provide acceptable intra and inter-observer agreement, the new technique using a DVC is consistently better and more reliable than a SG in measuring thumb abduction and extension. The study also supports our hypothesis that the thumb rotates around the second metacarpal head with a consistent radius

The aim is to investigate if there is a relation between patellar height and knee flexion angle. For this purpose we retrospectively evaluated the radiographs of 500 knees presented for a variety of reasons. We measure knee flexion angle using a computer-generated goniometer. Patellar height was determined using computer generated measurement for the selected ratios, namely, the Insall–Salvati (I/S), Caton–Deschamps (C/D) and Blackburne–Peel (B/P) indices and Modified I/S Ratio. A search of an NHS hospital database was made to identify the knee x rays for patients who were below the age of forty. A senior knee surgeon (DC) supervised three trainee trauma and orthopaedics doctors (HA, JM, ES) working on this research. Measurements were made on the Insall–Salvati (I/S), Caton–Deschamps (C/D) and Blackburne–Peel (B/P) indices and Modified I/S Ratio. The team leader then categorised the experimental measurement of patients’ knee flexion angle into three groups. This categorisation was according to the extent of knee flexion. The angles were specifically, 10.1 to 20, 20.1 to 30, and 30.1 to 40 degrees of knee flexion. Out of the five-hundred at the start of the investigation, four hundred and eighteen patients were excluded because they had had either an operation on the knee or traumatic fracture that was treated conservatively

Introduction: Cervical range of motion is affected by a wide variety of pathologies and is routinely measured in clinical assessment of the neck. It is therefore crucial to use a method that is both accurate and reliable but that is also non-invasive and inexpensive. This study assessed cervical range of motion using different methods of measurement, namely the universal goniometer and the cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer. These methods were then compared with each other. In addition, we were interested in determining whether a single component of neck movement is representative of total cervical range of motion. Methods: 50 healthy subjects between the ages of 18–87 with no shoulder or spine pathology were asked to perform six active neck movements, flexion, extension, lateral flexion and axial rotation while the movements were measured first using the universal goniometer and then with the CROM goniometer. The CROM goniometer has been shown previously to have excellent validity and reliability. The researchers were trained to use the measuring techniques prior to data collection. All measurements were performed by the same researcher for each subject and the two researchers alternated between subjects. Results: Comparison between the universal goniometer and the CROM goniometer was performed using Bland and Altman plots. This revealed that 60.6% of universal goniometer readings were within ±5° of the CROM reading; however 31.6% of readings differed by > ±5° and 7.8% differed by > ±10°. The interobserver variance was calculated and there was excellent agreement between the two researchers for both the universal goniometer and CROM goniometer, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of ≥0.80 for every movement. Extension was the most predictive of total neck movement (Pearson coefficient 0.643, p < 0.001). This continues to be the case even when the negative effect of age on range of motion is taken into account. Discussion: The finding that extension was the most representative neck movement has implications for the assessment of cervical motion. Accordingly, if a single neck movement is measured to represent total range of motion, extension should be used. The comparison between the CROM and universal goniometer demonstrated that the majority of goniometer readings were within 5° of the CROM result; however, this was not consistently the case. Given that the CROM is a valid and reliable method of measuring neck movement, the inconsistency between the goniometer and CROM can be taken as inaccuracy on the part of the universal goniometer. As the interobserver variance is excellent one can assume that these results are reproducible and that the errors observed are a true reflection of the limitations of the device

Technological advancements in orthopaedic surgery have mainly focused on increasing precision during the operation however, there have been few developments in post-operative physiotherapy. We have developed a computer vision program using machine learning that can virtually measure the range of movement of a joint to track progress after surgery. This data can be used by physiotherapists to change patients’ exercise regimes with more objectively and help patients visualise the progress that they have made. In this study, we tested our program's reliability and validity to find a benchmark for future use on patients. We compared 150 shoulder joint angles, measured using a goniometer, and those calculated by our program called ArmTracking in a group of 10 participants (5 males and 5 females). Reliability was tested using adjusted R squared and validity was tested using 95% limits of agreement. Our clinically acceptable limit of agreement was ± 10° for ArmTracking to be used interchangeably with goniometry. ArmTracking showed excellent overall reliability of 97.1% when all shoulder movements were combined but there were lower scores for some movements like shoulder extension at 75.8%. There was moderate validity shown when all shoulder movements were combined at 9.6° overestimation and 18.3° underestimation. Computer vision programs have a great potential to be used in telerehabilitation to collect useful information as patients carry out prescribed exercises at home. However, they need to be trained well for precise joint detections to reduce the range of errors in readings

Abstract. Introduction. This study compared biomechanical and functional parameters of a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) implant (Cemented Zimmer Hi-Flex) against healthy older adults to determine whether knee biomechanics was restored in this patient population. Methodology. Patients with a primary TKA and healthy adults >55 years old with no musculoskeletal deficits or arthritis participated. Bilateral knee range of motion (RoM) was assessed with a goniometer, then gait patterns were analysed with a 3D motion-capture system. An arthrometer then quantified anterior-posterior laxity of each knee. Statistical analyses were performed in SPSS (α=0.05; required sample size: n=21 per group). Results. 25 knees were replaced in 21 patients. Nine presented with fixed flexion deformities (FFD) (13.3±5.6°). FFDs were abolished intraoperatively, and the average flexion increased from 124.8±9.1° to 130.9±5.8°. At 9.6±3.2 years postoperatively, the patients achieved poorer RoM than healthy controls (n=23); p<0.0001. These differences were due to limited flexion in the knee. Patients also failed to achieve the same degree of flexion as controls bilaterally during gait. No differences were observed during mid-flexion; a state that has been associated with instability (p=0.614). There were no differences between groups in knee laxity. Conclusion. Patients in this study had similar gait patterns to healthy older adults during mid-flexion, and were no more likely to exhibit anterior-posterior translation of the knee >7mm; a known risk factor of instability. However, the flexion range was poorer. This led to bilateral pathological knee flexion patterns during gait. Further research should identify the cause of these limitations

Intraoperative range of motion (ROM) radiographs are routinely taken during scaphoidectomy and four corner fusion surgery (S4CF) at our institution. It is not known if intraoperative ROM predicts postoperative ROM. We hypothesize that patients with a greater intra-operativeROM would have an improved postoperative ROM at one year, but that this arc would be less than that achieved intra- operatively. We retrospectively reviewed 56 patients that had undergone S4CF at our institution in the past 10 years. Patients less than 18, those who underwent the procedure for reasons other than arthritis, those less than one year from surgery, and those that had since undergone wrist arthrodesis were excluded. Intraoperative ROM was measured from fluoroscopic images taken in flexion and extension at the time of surgery. Patients that met criteria were then invited to take part in a virtual assessment and their ROM was measured using a goniometer. T-tests were used to measure differences between intraoperative and postoperative ROM, Pearson Correlation was used to measure associations, and linear regression was conducted to assess whether intraoperative ROM predicts postoperative ROM. Nineteen patients, two of whom had bilateral surgery, agreed to participate. Mean age was 54 and 14 were male and 5 were male. In the majority, surgical indication was scapholunate advanced collapse; however, two of the participants had scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse. No difference was observed between intraoperative and postoperative flexion. On average there was an increase of seven degrees of extension and 12° arc of motion postoperatively with p values reaching significance Correlation between intr-operative and postoperative ROM did not reach statistical significance for flexion, extension, or arc of motion. There were no statistically significant correlations between intraoperative and postoperative ROM. Intraoperative ROM radiographs are not useful at predicting postoperative ROM. Postoperative extension and arc of motion did increase from that measured intraoperatively

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) aims to alleviate pain and restore joint biomechanics to an equivalent degree to age-matched peers. Zimmer Biomet's Nexgen TKA was the most common implant in the UK between 2003 and 2016. This study compared the biomechanical outcomes of the Nexgen implant against a cohort of healthy older adults to determine whether knee biomechanics is restored post-TKA. Patients with a primary Nexgen TKA and healthy adults >55 years old with no musculoskeletal deficits or diagnosis of arthritis were recruited locally. Eligible participants attended one research appointment. Bilateral knee range of motion (RoM) was assessed with a goniometer. A motorised arthrometer (GENOUROB) was then used to quantify the anterior-posterior laxity of each knee. Finally, gait patterns were analysed on a treadmill. An 8-camera Vicon motion capture system generated the biomechanical model. Preliminary statistical analyses were performed in SPSS (α = 0.05; required sample size for ongoing study: n=21 per group). The patient cohort (n=21) was older and had a greater BMI than the comparative group (n=13). Patients also had significantly poorer RoM than healthy older adults. However, there were no inter-group differences in knee laxity, walking speed or cadence. Gait kinematics were comparable in the sagittal plane during stance phase. Peak knee flexion during swing phase was lower in the patient group, however (49.0° vs 41.1°). Preliminary results suggest that knee laxity and some spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters of gait are restored in Nexgen TKA patients. While knee RoM remains significantly poorer in the patient cohort, an average RoM of >110° was achieved. This suggests the implant provides sufficient RoM for most activities of daily living. Further improvements to knee kinematics may necessitate additional rehabilitation. Future recruitment drives will concentrate on adults over the age of 70 for improved inter-group comparability

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is one of the widespread conditions causing hindfoot pain. The most common presenting symptoms are functional limitation and pain (first step and activity) on plantar surface of the foot. The non-operative treatments provide complete resolution of pain in 90% of patients, but functional limitation still remains as a risk factor for recurrency of PF. Although the number of non-operative treatment options showing efficacy on pain and functional limitation are excessive, the evidences are limited for functional limitation. Additionally, Mulligan mobilization with movement (MMWM) in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis has been poorly studied in the literature. According to these findings, the study was aimed to determine effectiveness of Mulligan mobilization with movement on Chronic Plantar Fasciitis. A total of 25 patients (40 feet) with chronic PF were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into Mulligan concept rehabilitation group (PF-M, n=20 feet) and Home Rehabilitation group (PF-H, n=20 feet). (MMWM), Foot and ankle exercises program were applied to PF-M, twice a week totally 8 week (16 sessions) and foot- ankle exercises as a home program were given for PF-H, 8 weeks. The range of motion (ROM) for dorsiflexion and plantar flexion was measured by using a manual goniometer. Pain, disability and activity restriction were assessed by Foot Function Index (FFI) . The first step morning pain was evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Kinesiophobia was also reported by using Tampa Scale (TSK). Patients were evaluated at baseline and 8 weeks. FFI, VAS, TSK, ROM values improved in all groups (intragroup variability) at 8th week (P < .05). The other result indicated that ROM values for DF and PF and TSK scores in PF-M had more significant improvement than PF-H (p<.05). To the best of our knowledge this is the first randomised controlled trial for investigating Mulligan Concept efficiancy on chronic PF. Both Mulligan mobilization with movement (MMWM) and exercise protocols are effective for chronic PF. Furthermore, The Mulligan concept seems more effective treatment option in reducing kinesiophobia and improving functional capacity

Background. Calipered kinematically aligned (KA) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) restores the in vitro internal-external (I-E) rotation laxities at 0° and 90° of the native knee. Although increasing and decreasing the thickness of the insert in 1 mm increments loosens and tightens the flexion space, there are little data on how this might adversely affect the screw-home mechanism and I-E rotational laxity. The present study determined the differences in the I-E range of rotation and I-E positions at maximum extension and at 90° of flexion that result from the use of insert thicknesses that deviate ± 1mm in thickness from the implanted insert. Methods. 20 patients were treated with a calipered KA and a PCL retaining implant with a 1:1 medial ball-in-socket constraint and a non-constrained lateral flat articular insert surface. Verification checks, that are validated to restore native tibial compartment forces without release of healthy ligaments including the PCL, were used to select the optimal insert thickness. Trial inserts with thicknesses ranging from 10 to 13 mm were 3-D printed with medial goniometric markings that record rotation from 20° external to −20° internal with respect to a sagittal line laser marked on center of the medial condyle of the trial femoral component at maximum extension and 90° of flexion (Figure 1). Results. For all three inserts, the tibial component progressively internally rotated on the femoral component from maximum extension to maximum flexion. From maximum extension to 90° flexion the −21.7° range of internal rotation for the optimal insert thickness was greater than the −16° for the 1mm thinner insert (p < 0.000), and the −13.1° for the 1mm thicker insert (p < 0.000). At maximum extension, the mean insert position of 7° external for the optimal insert thickness was more external than the 4.5° for the 1mm thinner insert (p < 0.000), and the 3.5° for the 1mm thicker insert (p < 0.000) (Figure 2). At 90° the mean −14.7° internal insert position for the optimal insert thickness was more internal than the −11.5° for the 1mm thinner insert (p < 0.000), and the −9.5° for the 1mm thicker insert (p < 0.000) (Figure 3). Discussion and Conclusions. The insert goniometer is an inexpensive, simple, and sensitive instrument that measured the insert position of a medial ball-in-socket PCL retaining implant with a flat lateral insert implanted with calipered KA and showed the I-E rotation matched the pattern of the native knee's screw-home mechanism. Restoring the pre-arthritic native ligament laxities is the target, as the insert goniometer detected a 6° loss of internal rotation and a less external position of the insert at maximum extension and a less internal position at 90° when the healthy ligaments were stretched or loosened by 1mm. For any figures or tables, please contact the authors directly

Introduction:. External rotation (ER) of the shoulder is a commonly used clinical measurement to assess the glenohumeral joint; however, the position in which these measurements are obtained varies between clinicians. The purpose of this study was to compare the following: ER in the upright & supine positions, motion capture & goniometric values of ER, active & passive ER, ER in the right & left shoulders, and ER in male & female subjects. Methods:. Eighteen subjects (mean age 25.4 yrs) with ‘normal’ shoulders (by screening questionnaire) were enrolled in the study and subject to triplicate measurements of active and passive ER of both shoulders with a goniometer and a 12 camera, high speed optical motion analysis system in both the upright and supine positions. ANOVA was used to compare variables and linear regression used to correlate the goniometer & optical motion capture measurements. Results:. On average, shoulder ER in the supine position was 10.0° greater than in the upright position (p < 0.001) using the motion capture data and 5.8° greater using the goniometer (p = 0.025). There was a strong correlation between the goniometer and optical motion capture measurements with an R. 2. value of 0.6573 (p = 2.39E-13); on average, the goniometer readings were 11.0° greater than the corresponding optical measurements. External rotation of the right shoulder was 7.2° greater than the left using the optical measurements (p = 0.02) and 4.4° greater with the goniometer (p = 0.039). In addition, females did have significantly greater external rotation than males using the optical measurements (p < 0.001), averaging 16.7° more external rotation; findings were similar for the goniometric measurements with 18.5° greater average external rotation seen in female subjects (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between measured active and passive external rotation (p = 0.589). Conclusion:. Significant differences do exist between measured values of external rotation depending on the position of measurement (upright vs supine), hand dominance, and gender. It does not appear that there is a difference between active and passive external rotation. Our recommendations are for the musculoskeletal clinician to be meticulous when documenting the position of measured external rotation, as values vary depending on the position of measurement. One should also be cautious of comparing external rotation of one shoulder to the contralateral side, as well as comparing values between genders, as these measurements appear to be different as well

Gavril Ilizarov advocated a fine wire tension of between 900N and 1200N for circular frame construction. Wire tension can be achieved via a tensioning device or ‘Russian tensioning’ (a fixed wire lengthening around a bolt). There is limited information on the latter technique. This study explored the tensions achieved via Russian tensioning and reports the impact of a second wire on construct tension. A single 160mm stainless-steel ring was constructed, then 1.8mm stainless steel wires were secured using a Russian fixation bolt and Russian tensioned with a 2nd bolt. The angle subtended by tensioning using the 2nd bolt was measured using a goniometer. Angles of 45°, 70° and 90° were repeated in triplicates, with wire tension measured using a calibrated tensiometer. A second, orthogonal wire was added and tensioned to the same angle. Tensions of both wires were remeasured and recorded. Unpaired t-tests were used to compare mean tensions. A value of p<0.05 was considered significant. Tensioning at all angles was insufficient to achieve the target range of 900–1200N (range 99–110N). A second, orthogonal wire changed frame dynamics such that a 90° angle resulted in both wires achieving adequate tension (mean 1143N, SD 307N). Increases were significant across all tensioning angles (p=<0.002) however only biomechanically relevant for 90°. Russian tensioning is insufficient with a single wire, however the addition of an orthogonal wire increases tension in both wires, reaching the target range at 90° deflection. Further study using wire tensioners is warranted, and also the impact of non-orthogonal wire constructs

Although the pre- or intraoperative flexion angle in TKA has been commonly considered as a predictor of the postoperative flexion angle, patients with well flexion intraoperatively cannot necessarily obtain deep flexion angle postoperatively. The reason why inconsistencies remains has been unsolved. The intraoperative compressive force between femoral and tibial components has the advantage of the sequential changes during knee motion. However, the relationship between the compressive force and the postoperative ROM has not yet been clarified. We aimed to evaluate the intraoperative femorotibial compressive force during passive knee motion, and determine the relationship between the compressive force and the postoperative flexion angle. A total of 11 knees in 10 patients who underwent primary cruciate-retaining (CR) TKA (The FINE Total Knee System; Teijin Nakashima Medical Co., Ltd., Okayama, Japan) for osteoarthritis were studied retrospectively, with a mean age of 76 years via a measured resection technique. We developed a customized measurement device mimicking the tibial component with this platform of six load sensors arranged in two rows (medial and lateral) by three tandem sets (anterior, center and posterior): anteromedial (AM), anterolateral (AL); centromedial (CM), centrolateral (CL); and posteromedial (PM), posterolateral compartment (PL) (Fig. 1). At the step of the implant trial, this device was placed on the tibia with compressive force recorded three times, while the knee was subsequently taken from 0° to full flexion manually in 15 seconds with the flexion angle of the knee recorded simultaneously by using an electric goniometer (Fig. 2). Eligibility were evaluated for ROM using a long-armed goniometer preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. The mean compressive force at AM, AL, CM, CL, PM and PL was 0.7, 0.5, 1.3, 1.2, 3.4 and 2.6 kgf, with the peak force of 4.2, 2.5, 4.1, 2.5, 7.3 and 4.7 kgf, respectively. The mean pre- and postoperative extension and flexion angles were −11° and −6°; and 115° and 113°, respectively. There were no significant correlations between the mean force in any region of interest (AM to PL) and the postoperative flexion angle. The peak force in PM showed little correlation with the postoperative flexion angle (r = −0.17, p = 0.54), however, that in PL was strongly negatively correlated with the postoperative flexion (r = −0.86, p < 0.01). The current results suggest the presence of less force on the lateral side in flexion. We speculate that lower compressive force at the lateral side is essential for deep flexion as it has been reported that the lateral structure has more laxity than the medial side during flexion in healthy knees. Measurement between the femoral and tibial compressive force can contribute an achievement of more flexion angle following CR-TKA

Introduction. During its conception, Ilizarov advocated a fine wire tension of between 900N and 1200N for circular frame construction. Wire tension can be achieved via a tensioning device or ‘Russian tensioning’ (a fixed wire lengthening around a bolt). There is limited information on the latter technique. This study aimed to explore the tensions achieved via Russian tensioning and report the impact of a second wire on construct tension. Materials and Methods. A single 160mm stainless-steel ring was constructed, then 1.8mm stainless steel wires secured using a Russian fixation bolt and Russian tensioned with a 2nd bolt. The angle subtended by tensioning using the 2nd bolt was measured using a goniometer. Angles of 45°, 70° and 90° were repeated in triplicates, with wire tension measured using a calibrated tensiometer. A 2nd orthogonal wire was placed on the opposite side and tensioned to the same angle. Tensions of both wires were remeasured and recorded. Statistical comparison using unpaired t-tests was used to compare mean tensions. A value of p<0.05 was considered significant. Results. Russian wire tensioning at all angles was insufficient to achieve the target range of 900–1200N (range 99–110N). The addition of a second orthogonal wire changed frame dynamics such that a 90° angle resulted in both wires achieving adequate tension (mean 1143N, SD 307N). Increases were significant across all tensioning angles (p–<0.002) however only biomechanically relevant for 90°. Conclusions. Russian tensioning is insufficient with a single wire, however the addition of an orthogonal wire increases tension in both wires, which reaches the target range at 90° deflection. This phenomenon is explained by force transmission initially into ring deflection, which is then balanced out by the second wire. Further study of this phenomenon using wire tensioners is warranted, and also the impact of non-orthogonal wire constructs

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