Flexion and Extension at the Hip

Abstract

To the Editor:— Under date of Feb. 15, 1958, the report of a Committee on Medical Rating of Physical Impairment was published as a special supplement in The Journal. In describing the measurement of flexion-extension at the hip, it was stated that the total range of motion was 130° of which 30° resulted from hyperextension of the hip. This is in error both as regards the actual range of motion as well as the concept of hyperextension. Its validation by publication inThe Journalmust be contested, to minimize medical errors in reporting the success or failure of surgical interventions on the hip and medicolegal errors in evaluating the consequences of accidental injury to the hip. The mere use of the term hyperextention should have directed attention to the possibility of error. Almost 20 years ago, I noted, and my observations were later confirmed, that extension of the thigh with