Reliability of xerographic reproduction measurements of ulnar deviation.

The lack of a practical validated measure of ulnar deviation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has precluded serious consideration of conservative treatments to correct ulnar deviation. The xerographic photocopier provides an available, inexpensive, safe instrument for recording hand positions. Randomized xerographs detected differences in individual finger angles in both RA and normals (p less than .01) when using a standardized method for angle measurements. This method is simple, safe (no radiation), and offers a practical approach to assessing the treatment of ulnar deviation in RA.