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Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume)
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Articles

Validity of Pulp-to-Palm Distance as a Measure of Finger Flexion

J. C. MACDERMID, E. FOX, R. S. RICHARDS and J. H. ROTH

From the Hand and Upper Limb Centre Clinical Research Laboratory, London, Ontario and the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Correspondence: Ms Joy MacDermid, Hand & Upper Limb Centre Clinical Research Laboratory Monsignor Roney Ambulatory Care Centre, 930 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, Canada NG6A 3J4; E-mail: jmacderm{at}uwo.ca

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.

Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume), Vol. 26, No. 5, 432-435 (2001)
DOI: 10.1054/jhsb.2001.0612
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