Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992 – Guide to the Assessment of the Degree of Permanent Impairment Edition 3.0
289The following tables assess impairments to range of motion of the wrists, including ankylosis:
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289 The following tables assess impairments to range of motion of the wrists, including ankylosis:
a) Table 9.9.1a: Wrist flexion/extension; and
b) Table 9.9.1b: Radial and ulnar deviation of wrist joint.
290 Loss of range of motion in each functional plane is measured from the neutral position. The range of motion is expressed as the two achievable limits of active motion in each direction through the normal range of motion. It is possible that the only motion that can be achieved is between two points on one side of the neutral position.
291 The WPI rating for restriction of motion in one direction is assessed according to the active motion than can be achieved in that direction. It is then added to the WPI rating for the active motion in the reverse direction.
292 Add the abnormal motion WPI ratings for each direction of motion for both wrist flexion/extension and radial/ulnar deviation. Where there is ankylosis, including after an arthrodesis procedure, the assessment should be made only under the ankylosis scale.
293 Where an arthroplasty procedure has been undertaken, refer to the AMA5. Assess the upper extremity impairment rating for abnormal motion and the upper extremity impairment rating for arthroplasty in accordance with the AMA5, then convert each of those ratings into WPI ratings using Table 16-3 of the AMA5. Combine those WPI ratings obtained from the AMA5 using the combined values chart (see Appendix 1).
294 For ankylosis, the optimal position for arthrodesis of the wrist is approximately 15°-20° of dorsiflexion with slight ulnar deviation.