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Interpreting and Interpolating Chapter 16 Pie
Charts - Rating Tip of the Week
Although the pie charts in Chapter 16, The Upper
Extremities, are designed for simple
interpretation, at Brigham and Associates, Inc.,
we see frequent and repeated errors when they
are referenced during an impairment assessment.
Here are a few reminders when using these
charts:
| 1. |
Remember to
reference the correct motion arc in the
pie chart to match the joint motion you
are measuring. This is a simple error
that usually will result in a
substantial miscalculation of
impairment. |
| 2. |
For a fused
joint, only reference the motion arc for
Ankylosis. The remaining motion arcs are
no longer applicable and should not be
included in your analysis. |
| 3. |
For motion
values that fall between those listed in
the pie charts, the Guides allow for
interpolation of impairment in the
corresponding interval. For example,
referencing Figure 16-37 on page 474,
for an elbow measurement that lacks 35
degrees of supination to the neutral
position (i.e. -35 degrees of
supination), instead of upward or
downward rounding to the next listed
value, this motion is more accurately
given a 7% upper extremity impairment
rating (half- way between the value of
6% for finding of -30 degrees and 8% for
the finding of -40 degrees). Another
example is a finding of elbow pronation
of 15 degrees would be equivalent to 6%
upper extremity impairment. |
| 4. |
Finally,
because the motions in a pie chart are
specific to a joint, the motion units
have the same "relative value scale".
Therefore, the impairment values
obtained can be directly added together. |
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