Long-term measurement of metacarpophalangeal joint motion in the normal and rheumatoid hand.
Low-profile flexible goniometers were used in an instrumented glove to monitor metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint usage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and control subjects over 3 days. Statistical analysis of the results provided descriptors of total joint motion per hour, the number of movements per hour and their duration, amplitude and angular velocity. The results show the patient group to have less overall joint usage than the control group, with movements being slower and smaller and with a restricted range. Yearly rates of joint usage were derived; these values are considerably higher than predicted in prosthetic joint testing protocols.
Fowler
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NK
Bioengineering Unit, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Nicol
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AC
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D006113:United Kingdom