In Table 15-8, "Impairment Due to Abnormal Motion of the Lumbar Region: Flexion and Extension" (Guides 5th Ed., Page 407), the ranges for Sacral (Hip) Flexion Angle is somewhat ambiguous in that there is an overlap at 45 degrees. The three ranges for Sacral flexion are 0-29, 30-45, and 45+. The question is, does 45 below in the middle tier, or is it in the top tier? It depends on how you read "45+". Does 45+ mean "Greater or equal to 45 degrees" or does it mean "Greater than 45 degrees"?
As an example, if the patient exhibits a sacral hip flexion angle of 45 and a true lumbar spine flexion angle of 60, what is the impairment?
- If "45+" means "Greater than 45", then the impairment would be 4%.
- If "45+" means "Greater than or equal to 45", then the impairment would be 0%.
ImpairMaster interprets "45+" as "greater than or equal to". The rationale for this decision is based on the lowest tier being (0-29) which is consistent with other ROM tables in the AMA Guides. Therefore, ImpairMaster interprets the Sacral (Hip) Flexion angle ranges as:
- ≥ 45
- 30-44
- 0-29