Mobility of joint functions
Measurement of the active range of movement of the elbows, wrist and thumb saddle joint are carried out using a goniometer. To assess the range of movement of the finger joints, measurements are taken of the fingernail-table distance (total extension of the finger) and the fingertip-to-palm distance (total flexion of the finger).
Documentation example:
Fingernail-table distance
Total extension of the finger
Required material: Tape-measure (for instance on the goniometer)
Procedure: Laying both hands on the table, palms up, the patient is asked to stretch their fingers as far as possible towards the table. Alternatively, if the patient cannot lay the backs of their hands on th table (for instance due to weak supination), the backs of the hands are placed on a flat object in extension to the metacarpal bones.
The distance between the fingernail and the table (or the flat object on the back of the hand) is measured in cm for each finger.
Documentation example:
Fingertip-to-palm distance
Total flexion of the finger
Required material: Tape-measure (for instance on the goniometer or special fingertip-palm measuring gauge)
Procedure: The back of the hand is laid supine on the table or with the ulnar hand edge on the table. The patient is asked to bend their fingers as far as possible. The cm distance between the fingertip and palm (distal palmar crease) is measured for each finger.
Documentation example:
