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· DOS Abstracts
Knee osteoarthritis patients can provide useful informa-
tion about knee range of motion
Anne Mørup-Petersen, Pætur Mikal Holm, Christina Holm, Tobias Wirenfeldt Klausen,
Søren T. Skou, Michael Rindom Krogsgaard, Mogens Berg Laursen, Anders Odgaard
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte; De-
partment of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy/ Research Unit for Musculoskele-
tal Function and Physiotherapy, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics,
Næstved-Slagelse-Ringsted Hospitals, Region Zealand, Slagelse / University of South-
ern Denmark, Odense; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Copenhagen University
Hospital, Rigshospitalet; Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital,
Herlev; Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, Department of
Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics/ Department of Physiotherapy and Occupa-
tional Therapy, University of Southern Denmark, Odense/ Næstved-Slagelse-Ringsted
Hospitals, Region Zealand, Slagelse; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Copenhagen
University Hospital, Bispebjerg; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aalborg University
Hospital, Aalborg & Farsø; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Copenhagen University
Hospital, Gentofte
Background:
Knee arthroplasty surgery does not always require extensive patient fol-
low-up. For those with good function, follow-up examination mainly focuses on range of
motion (ROM). If ROM could be reported reliably by the patient, attendance for follow-
up might be replaced by phone calls, emails or even register surveys.
Purpose/Aim:
We investigated whether a new, simple, illustration-based scale enables
patients to report their own passive knee range of motion in 15° increments.
Materials/Methods:
Through an iterative process we created a 2-item scale with 11
illustrations of knee motion neutral for age, sex and race. Reliability was tested in 105
knee arthritis patients (mean age 70.8 years) at different treatment stages. Passive
ROM was measured with a long goniometer by a physiotherapist and an orthopaedic
resident, both blinded.
Results
: Patients found our scale quick and easy to use. They handed in 100 correctly
completed questionnaires. The mean difference between patients’ reports and measure-
ment was -0.72
°
(SD 12.3
°
) for flexion and 1.11
°
(SD 11.6
°
) for extension.
For pa-
tients reporting flexion > 110
° (n=64)
, 94% were confirmed by goniometer measure-
ment. For knee flexion < 110
°
(n=32), the patient-reported ROM had a sensitivity of
88% and a specificity of 88%. If flexion limit was set at 100
°
the according values were
95 and 81%. For extension deficits > 10
°
(n=18) we found a sensitivity of 78% and a
specificity of 70%. Values were 100 and 66% for a 15
°
limit. Retest results are under-
way.
Conclusion:
Patient-reported ROM is a feasible and for some purposes reliable alter-
native to professional ROM measurement. This scale can act as supplement to register
surveys and combined with e.g. patient-reported outcomes it may reduce the number
of patients who need a follow-up visit, leaving the surgeon more time for those who do.
No conflicts of interest reported
6.