INTEROBSERVER RELIABILITY IN MEASURING FLEXION, INTERNAL-ROTATION, AND EXTERNAL ROTATION OF THE HIP USING A PLURIMETER

Objective-To determine reliability of the measurement of hip movements (flexion, internal rotation, and external rotation) between medical p ractitioners. Methods-Six clinicians carried out measurements of hip m ovements on each of six patients with osteoarthritis of one hip, using a specifically designed plurimeter. Results-There was no evidence of any systematic difference between medical practitioners in the measure ment of hip flexion, internal rotation, or external rotation. The degr ee of agreement was greatest for hip flexion. Conclusions-This study h as shown that measurement of range of movement at the hip is repeatabl e between practitioners using a simple plurimeter and may represent an examination that is suitable for monitoring progress and treatment.