title: Digital photography for assessment of shoulder range of motion: A novel clinical and research tool.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Maintenance of a pain-free functional range of motion is the aim of surgery for shoulder trauma. The aim of this study was to show that the range of motion can be accurately assessed using digital photographs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed 17 patients who had undergone surgery for shoulder trauma. Each patient's range of motion was assessed by two physicians and two physiotherapists. Digital photographs were taken of each patient at their functional limit. Photographs were assessed by two physicians and two physiotherapists, and by an external physician who had no previous contact with the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Inter-observer and intra-observer reliability trials showed excellent correlation of results. There was no significant difference between observer's results, or between results of physical examination and photographic examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Digital photography is a viable adjunct to assessment of range of motion of the shoulder. This has positive implications both clinically, and for shoulder research.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level 3.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Merlin Park Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Barry J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Briain
authors.forename: Kieran M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hirpara
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shaughnesy
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Yeatman
authors.forename: T Kenneth
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Kaar
keywords: Assessment; clinical; novel; research; shoulder