Upper limb impairment measurement system

An apparatus for permanent impairment assessment of a person's upper limb and/or hand, the apparatus comprising:

• a visual display screen for displaying a digital image of the person's injured limb and/or hand and of their uninjured limb and/or hand;
• digital processing means for processing the digital image and controlling the information displayed in the visual display screen;
• an on-screen measurement tool for measuring the extent of the injury, wherein the measurement tool can be moved over the digital image;
• and,
• wherein, in use, the extent of injury of the injured limb and/or hand can be measured by moving the measurement tool so as overlay the injured limb and/or hand and this measurement can be used to obtain a value for the degree of impairment.

A method of permanent impairment assessment of a person's rotated digit or thumb, the method comprising the steps of:

• having the person grip an elongate linear object with both hands;
• measuring a first angle of rotation, if any, of the person's uninjured digit or thumb;
• measuring a second angle of rotation of the person's injured digit or thumb;
• and,
• subtracting the first angle from the second angle to obtain a measurement of the degree of rotation of the injured digit or thumb;
• and,
• obtaining a value for the degree of impairment using this measurement.