The accuracy of retrospectively measured range of motion in knee arthroplasty

Abstract

In retrospective studies the range of motion of the knee is gathered from existing clinical notes or databases. This study aims to assess the validity of this retro spective data. The range of motion of 48 patients was assessed using a goniometer and compared to that entered in the patient notes by the examiner during a routine clinical examination, without the examiner being aware. The range of motion of a further 20 patients was subsequently assessed and compared to the findings of the same clinical examiners but this time with the examiner being aware. When the examiner was unaware of the study, the accuracy of the measured range of motion was clinically unacceptable. When the examiner wa..