A comparison of electronic and manual dynamometry and goniometry in patients with fracture of the distal radius and healthy participants

The purpose of this study was to assess the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of electronic and manual dynamometry and goniometry in healthy volunteers, and the inter-instrument reliability in the assessment of healthy volunteers and patients recovering after a fracture of the distal radius. Grip strength, grip fatigue, pinch strength and range of motion were assessed in all participants with both the manual and electronic instruments by two physiotherapists and orthopaedic specialist trainee. The measures of dynamometry demonstrated excellent reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient >0.90), with the instruments found to be interchangeable with the exception of the grip fatigue. Variable intra-rater and inter-rater reliability was demonstrated with all planes of movement for the goniometry measures regardless of the instrument used. The results of this study support the continued use of dynamometry in the clinical setting, but raise questions regarding the use of goniometry measurements.Level of evidenceDiagnostic level III