Understanding Normal Wrist Range of Motion: A Crucial Aspect of Hand Joint Assessment

Range of motion (ROM) is a vital aspect of hand joint assessment that measures impairment and evaluates the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. The wrist, in particular, plays a crucial role in various daily activities, including grasping, manipulation, and fine motor skills. Loss of ROM in the wrist can lead to decreased grip strength, grasp ability, and overall hand function.

Manual goniometry is an easy, non-invasive, and inexpensive method of measuring ROM that provides valuable information about movement capabilities. However, ensuring the accuracy of these measurements is essential to obtain reliable results. Recent studies have evaluated the reliability of manual goniometry, providing support for its continued use in assessing wrist ROM.

A study by Jonsson and Johnson compared the accuracy of two types of wrist goniometers: a biaxial single-transducer and a biaxial two-transducer. The authors found that both devices showed similar results, suggesting that either type could be used for accurate measurements. Another study by Ellis and Bruton reported an average difference of 5˚ in intrarater reliability and 7˚ to 9˚ in interrater reliability when using finger manual goniometry.

In a recent investigation, six clinics around the United States participated in a blinded design to evaluate intra and interrater reliability of passive wrist flexion and extension ROM. Four therapists from each clinic randomly measured the ROM of 141 patients using a plastic manual goniometer. The study found significant differences among various goniometric techniques used by different clinics.

Goniometry is considered a precise method for assessing movement capability, and ROM measurement is an essential component of hand joint assessment to evaluate impairment and monitor therapeutic interventions. Loss of ROM in the wrist can arise secondary to pain, swelling, muscle weakness, or deformity, leading to decreased grip strength, grasp ability, fine manipulation, and overall hand function.

In conclusion, understanding normal wrist range of motion is crucial for assessing hand joint function and evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Manual goniometry remains a reliable method for measuring ROM, providing valuable information about movement capabilities. By ensuring accurate measurements, healthcare professionals can better diagnose and treat conditions affecting wrist ROM, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Normal wrist range of motion