Ranges of joint motion of the adult hand.

Norms of the motion of the joints of the adult hand are presented. Examined were 100 males and 100 females aged 20-25 years. All of them were university students in whom the hand was not affected by work or other one-sided activities and so its motion could be considered as the optimal (left-handed students were not included in this series). The passive and active flexions and hyperextensions were measured in all fingers of both hands as well as in the wrist. In the latter were measured in addition both active ductions. The results may serve for an assessment of deviations in joint motion of the hand in inborn malformations and other diseases, sequelae of injuries, during rehabilitation and evaluation of the effect of working and other manual activities etc. Differences in motion of the individual joints of the same type and differences between the right and the left side and both sexes were assessed as well.