Range of movement measuring device flawed
Posted , 4 users are following.
I'm not very impressed with the sliding caliper/protractor thing they use to measure ROM. It is very subjective to the user. I had mine measured at 85 deg and zero straight yesterday and today it was the same but measured by a different physio as 90 and 110 ! This is generally because there is no standard point of reference on the outside or inside of the knee so it is very easy to get several degrees difference depending on how it is lined up. Okay as a guide but as a retired scientist I can see it is flawed in getting reproducible results especially between different users.
Dave
1 like, 8 replies
CHICO_MARX Dcweather
Posted
That's the whole point. There is no "objective" measuring device. It's all just "eyeballed". I was told by my PT and my doc that if 10 different pros measured me, I'd get 10 different sets of numbers. So...relax...
IT'S JUST A NUMBER!!!! Think of it as a general guide to your progress because there is no ACTUAL measurable number. Let it go...or...
Invent a device that can give us al an actual number. Then you can make a bazillion spacebucks and retire again.
Dcweather CHICO_MARX
Posted
Relax Chico - I'm not concerned
Just an objective observation as a scientist. I'd always suspected it couldn't be that accurate and this was just the evidence.
CHICO_MARX Dcweather
Posted
Absolutely true. You would think by now someone would have invented an accurate device. But nooooooooo...they just keep on eyeballin' it... I've lived in the dichotomous world of IT's 1's and 0's for almost 47 years. There is no grey area between on and off to a computer bit. Yes, it would be nice to see a lot of things be clear cut and accurate. Maybe in some not-so-quite parallel universe...
lynda18183 Dcweather
Posted
Just recently I was told by my PT that depends on what PT is measuring , there could be a difference of 3 degrees. Also, I’ve been wondering why don’t they measure the knee before you do the therapy and after. I feel I have a better bend before doing the excercises.
Dcweather lynda18183
Posted
susan47321 Dcweather
Posted
I find that I work my 'guts' out everyday, then go every two weeks to physio, only to be kept waiting in reception where my leg will begin to stiffen up.
Then the first thing they do is get you up on the bed and ask you to bend your knee as far as you can, then out come the 'measure'
Although I'm now 110 degrees, 3 months in, I often wonder if if they came to my house after I've flogged my guts out, or measured after they have got me on their equipment
would I possibly be 115 or more.
Only good thing about all this exercise, I'm toning up my legs. Yay....
Dcweather susan47321
Posted
Another flaw with this is that some physios are quoting the internal angle (surely correct?) and others the external angle. Although it should be obvious to the patient it's still a bit poor. So I would take bent just better than 90 deg to be 80 deg not 100 deg. In terms of straightness it would be zero or 180. So less confusing as you would rarely get 190 or -10 deg !
CHICO_MARX susan47321
Posted
Don't get hung up on a number. I told Dc that my PT and docs both said that if 10 pros measured you, you'd get 10 different numbers. Stop with the numbers...
Concentrate of doing the work for your straightness and flexion. The "numbers" come in time. Here are some extras...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-rom-work-at-home-620053
#3 will straighten your knee...guaranteed. I remember getting stuck at -4 for weeks and weeks. Takes time, work and patience. It is sometimes painful to break through some scar tissue. Be prepared. A lot of people take some meds before a session. Own the knee!!! Do the work!!! Stay strong and focused.