Clinical measurement of the dart throwing motion of the wrist: variability, accuracy and correction

Abstract

Despite being functionally important, the dart throwing motion is difficult to assess accurately through goniometry. The objectives of this study were to describe a method for reliably quantifying the dart throwing motion using goniometric measurements within a healthy population. Wrist kinematics of 24 healthy participants were assessed using goniometry and optical motion tracking. Three wrist angles were measured at the starting and ending points of the motion: flexion–extension, radial–ulnar deviation and dart throwing motion angle. The orientation of the dart throwing motion plane relative to the flexion–extension axis ranged between 28° and 57° among the tested population. Plane orientations derived from optical motion capture differed from those calculated through goniometry by 25°. An equation to correct the estimation of the plane from goniometry measurements was derived. This was applied and differences in the orientation of the plane were reduced to non-significant levels, enabling the dart throwing motion to be measured using goniometry alone.

Analysis of a New Artificial Muscle Type Dynamic Orthosis for Wrist Joint Disease Using a Three-dimensional Motion Analyzer

“…[25][26][27][28] PAMs, which can generate high power at low pressures, are well suited for mimicking natural gait movements, 26,27) as in the current DTSaM orthosis, and for providing powerassisted gloves. 29) The current DTSaM results are similar to those of a previous study, 30) and DTM movements may be closely reproduced. However, it takes time for the artificial muscle to expand after the pressure is applied to the entire rubber tube.…”

Test-retest reliability of goniometric measurements of the range of dart-throwing motion

“…This seems to be a disadvantage for clinical application. Meanwhile, in 2018, Vardakastani et al 18 ) described a method that uses a conventional goniometer for measuring the functional DTM. In their report, goniometry was initially not able to quantify the range of DTM accurately, although a correction equation that takes values of flexion, extension and ulnar deviation angle measured simultaneously as input variables enables the measurement to be used with confidence as part of clinical assessment.…”

Biomechanical Comparison of Dart-Throw Motions after Partial Wrist Fusions

“…Vardakastani et al found, using goniometric measurements in live healthy patients, the orientation of the dart-throwing motion plane relative to the flexion-extension axis ranged from 28°to 57°. 8 Crisco et al, using cadaveric arms, found that the wrist motion was oriented obliquely to the direction of pure flexion-extension by 26.6°AE 4.4°. 9 The largest wrist range of motion was a mean of 111.5°AE 10.2°, oriented 30°f rom pure flexion, in the direction of ulnar flexion.…”