NORMAL VALUES OF NEONATAL LOWER-LIMBS - AN EVALUATION OF 1,000 NEONATES

The purpose of this study was to establish normal values for neonatal hip range of motion, knee range of motion, tibial torsion, and foot al ignment. Normal values for examination of the lower extremity in the n eonate are not well-documented in the orthopaedic literature. One-thou sand healthy neonates were examined by the orthopaedic residency under the supervision of an attending doctor. A total of 527 girls (53%) an d 473 boys (47%) were examined. Results were compared and analyzed for mean, range, and standard deviations. There was a wide normal range f or each category measured. For all categories, boys and girls had esse ntially the same values. There were no differences between right and l eft values. Normal values for these measurements have not previously b een reported from such a large series.