Articular mobility in an African population

Joint mobility was measured in 1,081 members of a Tswana community in the Western Transvaal, as part of an epidemiological survey of bone and joint conditions. The method, using an assessment of the range of movements of a predetermined set of joints, was easy to carry out and gave reproducible results. Joint mobility diminished with ageing, falling rapidly as childhood progressed, and more slowly throughout adult life. Marked differences were present between the sexes, females having a greater degree of joint laxity than males of the same age. A positive correlation existed between the mobility score and the degree of passive hyperextension which could be achieved by the fifth finger. The range of movements of the fifth finger was greater on the nondominant side in both left and right handed individuals. Arthralgic complaints were positively related to joint laxity in both sexes. Physique, as expressed by ponderal index and metacarpal length, was not found to bear any relation to joint mobility.