title: Validity of pulp-to-palm distance as a measure of finger flexion.
abstract: This study investigated the validity of pulp-to-palm distance measures as clinical indicators of finger flexion capacity. Pulp-to-palm distance and goniometry of the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints were measured by a single tester in 50 patients with abnormal digital flexion using a computerized hand assessment system. The correlation between pulp-to-palm distance measurements and total finger flexion measures obtained by goniometry, was moderate (r=-0.46 and -0.51). This indicates that the measures are not interchangeable. The relationship between an upper extremity disability score (DASH) and restricted motion was stronger for the goniometric measurements (r=0.45, P<0.01) than for the pulp-to-palm distance measurements (r<0.30, P>0.01). Both types of range of motion measurements were able to discriminate between minimal and substantial upper extremity disability. Further methodological evaluation is required to support the use of pulp-to-palm distance measures as an outcome indicator.
authors.affiliation: Hand and Upper Limb Centre Clinical Research Laboratory, London, Ontario, Canada. jmacderm@uwo.ca
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Macdermid
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Roth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006225:Hand / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular