Beighton et al developed a simple scoring system to evaluate joint mobility. This can be used to identify patients with joint laxity and hypermobility.
Joints measurements:
(1) left little finger
(2) right little finger
(3) left thumb
(4) right thumb
(5) left elbow
(6) right elbow
(7) left knee
(8) right knee
(9) forward flexion of trunk with knees fully extended
|
Joint |
Finding |
Points |
|
left little (fifth) finger |
passive dorsiflexion beyond 90° |
1 |
|
|
passive dorsiflexion <= 90° |
0 |
|
right little (fifth) finger |
passive dorsiflexion beyond 90° |
1 |
|
|
passive dorsiflexion <= 90° |
0 |
|
left thumb |
passive dorsiflexion to the flexor aspect of the forearm |
1 |
|
|
cannot passively dorsiflex thumb to flexor aspect of the forearm |
0 |
|
right thumb |
passive dorsiflexion to the flexor aspect of the forearm |
1 |
|
|
cannot passively dorsiflex thumb to flexor aspect of the forearm |
0 |
|
left elbow |
hyperextends beyond 10° |
1 |
|
|
extends <= 10° |
0 |
|
right elbow |
hyperextends beyond 10° |
1 |
|
|
extends <= 10° |
0 |
|
left knee |
hyperextends beyond 10° |
1 |
|
|
extends <= 10° |
0 |
|
right knee |
hyperextends beyond 10° |
1 |
|
|
extends <= 10° |
0 |
|
forward flexion of trunk with knees full extended |
palms and hands can rest flat on the floor |
1 |
|
|
palms and hands cannot rest flat on the floor |
0 |
Beighton score =
= SUM(points for all 9 maneuvers)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 9
• The higher the score, the greater the joint laxity.
• The threshold for joint laxity in an adolescent or young adult varies from 4 to 6.
• Joint laxity decreases with age, so that a lower threshold may be appropriate for an elderly patient.
Comparison with other scoring systems:
(1) using the middle finger rather than fifth finger excludes too many persons
(2) evaluation of ankle mobility may not be applicable to people in the general population
(3) measurements of composite joint movements (trunk and hip movements) may be affected by generalized articular laxity
Purpose: To measure joint mobility using the score of Beighton et al.
Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic
Objective: severity, prognosis, stage
ICD-10: S82,
