Normal Range of Motion of the Hip, Knee and Ankle Joints in Male Subjects, 30–40 Years of Age

Abstract

Studies of the normal range of joint motion in human adults are uncommon, and frequently used references are based on materials not immediately accessible. The present paper reports on ranges of motion in healthy male subjects, 30–40 years old, in a randomized sample from the population in the city of Göteborg. It is based on 210 hips, 180 knees and 192 ankle joints. Arcs of passive motion were measured by techniques suggested by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Significant differences were found between the obtained measurements and previous referenced studies. The differences can be due to the measurement procedure, difficulties in measurement technique, the patient material, and inter-individual variations. There was no statistically significant difference between the motions of the right and left side, and it is therefore suggested that a patient's healthy limb can be used for comparison with the affected side in the presence of disease or a lesion.