Goniometry of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, Part I: a survey of instrumentation and placement preferences.

A telephone survey of 231 occupational and physical therapists was conducted to determine goniometric instrumentation and placement preferences for measuring the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the upper extremity. The variables included were academic degree, hand therapy certification, years of therapy experience, years of specialty hand experience, and preferences for goniometric instrumentation and placement. Descriptive statistics revealed a highly experienced population (mean, 11 years) who predominantly preferred the 6" cut-off clear and metal goniometers. Eight additional instruments were also noted. Dorsal placement of the goniometer was preferred by 73% of the practitioners. Lateral placement was occasionally preferred (by 20%) in difficult clinical situations. Seven percent of the practitioners reported always preferring the lateral method. Chi-square analyses revealed no significant relationships between the variables.