scholarly journals Assessment of the ankle joint in clubfeet and normal feet to the age of four years by ultrasonography

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Johansson ◽  
Y. Aurell ◽  
B. Romanus

Purpose To establish reproducible posterior ultrasonographic projections for evaluation of the movement in the talocrural joint in clubfeet and normal feet from the perinatal period up to the age of four years. Methods The feet in 105 healthy children and 46 patients (71 clubfeet and 21 normal feet) were examined. In all, 14 feet in seven patients were examined twice by two examiners independently to evaluate the repeatability of the ultrasonography scans. A posterior sagittal projection was used. The distance from the posterior aspect of the tibial physis to the posterior border of the talocalcaneal joint (Tib. phys – TCJ) was measured with the foot in neutral position and dorsiflexion. In plantar flexion the shortest distance between the tibial physis and the calcaneus was measured. The distance from the skin to the tibial epiphyses and the talus was measured in neutral position. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to evaluate the repeatability of the measurements. Results The interexaminer reliability was 0.71 to 0.89 ICC. The intra- and interobserver reliability measured as ICC was 0.68 to 0.99 for all measurements. The correlation between Tib. phys. – TCJ and clinical dorsiflexion varied much between the age groups. Conclusion Ultrasonography of the posterior aspect of the ankle joint can be done with high interexaminer reliability. The repeatability of image evaluation was high. Correlation to clinical measurements varied, therefore dynamic ultrasound in real time is clinically more useful than single measurements on frozen ultrasound images. Level of Evidence III

Foot & Ankle ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Lundberg ◽  
Ian Goldie ◽  
Bo Kalin ◽  
Göran Selvik

In an in vivo investigation of eight healthy volunteers, three dimensional ankle/foot kinematics were analyzed by roentgen stereophotogrammetry in 10° steps of motion from 30° of plantar flexion to 30° of dorsiflexion of the foot. The study included all of the joints between the tibia and the first metatarsal, as well as the talocalcaneal joint, and was performed under full body load. Although the talocrural joint was found to account for most of the rotation around the transverse axis occurring from 30° of plantar flexion to 30° of dorsiflexion, there was a substantial contribution from the joints of the arch. This was seen particularly in the input arc from 30° of plantar flexion to the neutral position, where the dorsiflexion motion of these joints amounted to 10% to 41% of the total transverse axis rotation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 720-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Zhong Zhang ◽  
François Lintz ◽  
Alessio Bernasconi ◽  
Shu Zhang ◽  

Background: Weightbearing computed tomography (WBCT) is a useful tool for the assessment of hindfoot alignment (HA). Foot ankle offset (FAO) is a recently introduced parameter, determined from WBCT images using semiautomatic software. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical relevance and reproducibility of FAO for the evaluation of HA. Methods: A prospective comparative study was performed on consecutive patients requiring bilateral WBCT between September 2017 and April 2018. Based on the clinical assessment of HA, patients were divided into 3 groups: (1) normal alignment group (G1), (2) valgus (G2), and (3) varus (G3). FAO and long axial view (HACT) were measured on WBCT images, and the groups were compared. The reproducibility of FAO and HACT was determined through intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Regression analysis was performed to investigate the correlation between the 2 methods. Overall, 249 feet (126 patients) were included (G1 = 115, G2 = 78, and G3 = 56 feet). Results: The mean values for FAO and HACT were 1.2% ± 2.8% and 3.9 ± 3.1, respectively, in G1; 8.1% ± 3.7% and 9.7 ± 4.9 in G2; and −6.6% ± 4.8% and −8.2 ± 6.6 in G3. Intra- and interobserver reliability was 0.987 and 0.988 for FAO and 0.949 and 0.949 for HACT, respectively. There was a good linear correlation between HACT and FAO ( R2 = 0.744), with a regression slope of 1.064. Conclusions: WBCT was a useful method for the characterization of HA. FAO was reproducible and correlated well with physical examination. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective comparative study.


1997 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 520-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Fiirgaard ◽  
J. K. Iversen ◽  
A. de Carvalho

Purpose: To determine the extent to which the width of the space in the medial tibiotalar joint depends on plantar flexion. Material and Methods: Thirty healthy volunteers were studied by means of a.p. roentgenograms of the left ankle both in a neutral position and in plantar flexion. Results: The medial joint space showed significant widening (average 0.65 mm) between the neutral position and plantar flexion. Conclusion: When ankle joint injuries are studied on radiographs, the position of the foot must be taken into consideration.


2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 494-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miranda J. J. Geelhoed ◽  
Sonja P. E. Snijders ◽  
Veronica E. Kleyburg-Linkers ◽  
Eric A. P. Steegers ◽  
Lennie van Osch-Gevers ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundEchocardiographic measurements are widely used as outcomes of different studies. The aim of this study was to assess intraobserver and interobserver reliability of echocardiographic measurements in healthy children.Materials and methodsWe studied 28 children, with a median age of 7.5 years, and inter-quartile range from 3 to 11 years. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability were assessed by repeated measurements of the diameters of the aortic root, the left atrium, and left ventricular end-diastolic structure. We also measured the ventricular end-diastolic septal thickness and the end-diastolic thickness of the left ventricular posterior wall. We calculated intraclass correlation coefficients, with corresponding 95% confidence intervals, and computed Bland and Altman plots, permitting us to derive limits of agreement plus or minus 2 standard deviations for the mean differences in cardiac measurements.ResultsWe found high intraobserver and interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient, ranging from 0.91 for ventricular septal thickness, with 95% confidence intervals from 0.78 to 0.96, to 0.99 for the diameter of the aortic root, 95% confidence interval from 0.97 to 1.00. Limits of agreement in the Bland and Altman plots ranged from zero millimetres for left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness to 1.60 millimeters (6.3%) for left atrial diameter.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated good repeatability and reproducibility for ultrasonic measurements of left cardiac structures in children, showing that values obtained for measurement of these structures in both clinical and epidemiological research projects can be confidently accepted.


2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Gao ◽  
William Carlton ◽  
Susan Kapp

Background: Articulated or hinged ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) allow more range of motion. However, quantitative investigation on articulated AFO is still sparse.Objective: The objective of the study was to quantitatively investigate effects of alignment and joint types on mechanical properties of the thermoplastic articulated AFO.Study design: Tamarack dorsiflexion assist flexure joints with three durometers (75, 85 and 95) and free motion joint were tested. The AFO joint was aligned with the center of the motor shaft (surrogate ankle joint), 10 mm superior, inferior, anterior and posterior with respect to the motor shaft center.Methods: The AFO was passively moved from 20° plantar flexion to 15° dorsiflexion at a speed of 10°/s using a motorized device. Mechanical properties including index of hysteresis, passive resistance torque and quasi-static stiffness (at neutral, 5°, 10° and 15° in plantar flexion) were quantified.Results: Significant effects of joint types and joint alignment on the mechanical properties of an articulated thermoplastic AFO were revealed. Specifically, center alignment showed minimum resistance and stiffness while anterior and posterior alignment showed significantly higher resistance and stiffness. The dorsiflexion assist torques at neutral position ranged from 0.69 ± 0.09 to 1.88 ± 0.10 Nm.Conclusions: Anterior and posterior alignment should be avoided as much as possible.Clinical relevanceThe current study suggested that anterior and posterior alignment be avoided as much as possible in clinical practice due to potential skin irritation and increase in stress around the ankle joint.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 232596712110110
Author(s):  
Marine Launay ◽  
Muhammad Naghman Choudhry ◽  
Nicholas Green ◽  
Jashint Maharaj ◽  
Kenneth Cutbush ◽  
...  

Background: Recurrent shoulder instability may be associated with glenoid erosion and bone loss. Accurate quantification of bone loss significantly influences the contemplation of surgical procedure. In addition, assessment of bone loss is crucial for surgical planning and accurate graft placement during surgery. Purpose: To quantify the concave surface area of glenoid bone loss by using 3-dimensional (3D) segmented models of the scapula and to compare this method with the best-fit circle and glenoid height/width methods, which use the glenoid rim for bone loss estimations. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 36 consecutive preoperative bilateral computed tomography scans of patients eligible for a primary Latarjet procedure were selected from our institutional surgical database (mean patient age, 29 ± 9 years; 31 men and 5 women). The 3D models of both scapulae were generated using medical segmentation software and were used to map the anatomic concave surface area (ACSA) of the inferior glenoid using the diameter of the best-fit circle of the healthy glenoid. Bone loss was calculated as a ratio of the difference between surface areas of both glenoids (healthy and pathological) against the anatomic circular surface area of the healthy glenoid (the ACSA method). These results were compared with bone loss calculations using the best-fit circle and glenoid height/width methods. Inter- and intraobserver reliability were also calculated. Results: The mean (± SD) bone loss calculated using the ACSA, the best-fit circle, and glenoid height/width methods was 9.4% ± 6.7%, 14.3% ± 6.8%, and 17.6% ± 7.3%, respectively. The ACSA method showed excellent interobserver reliability, with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.95 versus those for the best-fit circle (ICC, 0.71) and glenoid height/width (ICC, 0.79) methods. Conclusion: Quantification of instability-related glenoid bone loss is reliable using the 3D ACSA method.


Author(s):  
Ha-Rim Sung ◽  
Se-Jung Oh ◽  
Jun-Nam Ryu ◽  
Yong-Jun Cha

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the most effective ankle joint position for squat exercise by comparing muscle activities of lower extremity and erector spinae muscles in different ankle joint positions. METHODS: Thirty-seven normal healthy adults in their 20s participated in this study. Muscle activities of dominant vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and erect spinae were measured in three ankle joint positions; dorsiflexion, neutral, and plantar flexion. RESULTS: Muscle activities of the vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, and erector spinae muscles were statistically different in the three ankle joint positions during squat exercise (p< 0.05). Vastus medialis oblique muscles showed higher muscle activity in ankle plantar flexion than in the dorsiflexion or neutral positions (plantar flexion > neutral position, +3.3% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC); plantar flexion > dorsiflexion, +12.2% of MVIC, respectively). Vastus lateralis muscles showed 7.1% of MVIC greater muscle activity in the neutral position than in dorsiflexion, and erector spinae muscles showed higher muscle activity in dorsiflexion than in plantar flexion or in the neutral position (dorsiflexion > neutral position, +4.3% of MVIC; dorsiflexion > plantar flexion, +7.1% of MVIC, respectively). CONCLUSION: In squat exercises designed to strengthen the vastus medialis oblique, ankle joint plantar flexion is probably the most effective ankle training position, and the dorsiflexion position might be the most effective exercise for strengthening the erector spinae muscle.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 232596712199838
Author(s):  
Chi Kin Nathan Tso ◽  
Richard O’Sullivan ◽  
Hussain Khan ◽  
Jane Fitzpatrick

Background: Gluteal tendinopathy is commonly reported in the literature, but there is a need for a validated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based scoring system to grade the severity of the tendinopathy. Purpose: To use intra- and interobserver reliability to validate a new scoring system, the Melbourne Hip MRI (MHIP) score, for assessing the severity of gluteal tendinopathy. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The MHIP score assesses gluteal tendinopathy according to each 1 of 5 categories: (1) extent of tendon pathology (maximum 5 points); (2) muscle atrophy (maximum 4 points); (3) trochanteric bursitis (maximum 4 points); (4) cortical irregularity (maximum 3 points); and (5) bone marrow edema (maximum 1 point), with an overall range of 0 to 17 (most severe). A total of 41 deidentified MRI scans from 40 patients diagnosed with gluteal tendinopathy (mean baseline age, 57.44 ± 25.26 years; 4 male, 36 female) were read and graded according to MHIP criteria by 2 experienced musculoskeletal radiologists. The radiologists were blinded to previous reports, and the scans were read twice within a 2-month period. Statistical analysis using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determine intra- and interobserver reliability and mean/range for the MHIP scores. Results: Of a total of 123 readings, the mean MHIP score (±SD) was 3.93 ± 2.24 (range, 0-17 points). The MHIP score demonstrated excellent reliability for determining the severity of gluteal tendinopathy on MRI. The ICC for intra- and interobserver reliability was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.67-0.89) and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.62-0.87), respectively. Conclusion: The MHIP score had excellent intra- and interobserver reliability in scoring gluteal tendinopathy. This score allows gluteal tendon pathology to be graded prior to treatment and to be used for standardized comparisons between results in future research undertaking radiological review of gluteal tendinopathy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-100
Author(s):  
MARIANA DEMÉTRIO DE SOUSA PONTES ◽  
LUCAS AMÉRICO FRANCISCO ◽  
LUCAS KLAROSK ISMAEL ◽  
CARLOS FERNANDO PEREIRA DA SILVA HERRERO

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the reproducibility of a S2-alar iliac (S2AI) screw parameters measurement method by inter and intraobserver reliability. Methods: Cross-sectional study, considering computed tomography exams. Morphometric analysis was performed by multiplanar reconstructions. Screw length, diameter and trajectory angles were the studied variables. To analyze the measurements reproducibility, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used. Results: Interobserver reliability was classified as strong for screw shortest length (ICC: 0.742) and diameter (ICC: 0.699). Interobserver reliability was classified as moderate for screw longest length (ICC: 0.553) and for screw trajectory angles in the axial plane for the longest (ICC: 0.478) and for the shortest lengths (ICC: 0.591). Intraobserver reliability was interpreted as excellent for screw shortest (ICC: 0.932) and longest lengths (ICC: 0.962) and diameter (ICC: 0.770) and screw trajectory angles in the axial plane for the screw longest (ICC: 0.773) and shortest lengths (ICC: 0.862). There were weak interobserver and strong intraobserver reliabilities for trajectory angle in sagittal plane, but no statistical significance was found. Conclusion: Inter and intraobserver reliability of S2AI screw morphometric parameters were interpreted from moderate to excellent in almost all studied variables, except for the screw trajectory angle in the sagittal plane measurement. Level of Evidence IV, Diagnostic Studies - Investigating a Diagnostic Test.


2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grégoire Thürig ◽  
Raùl Panadero-Morales ◽  
Luca Giovannelli ◽  
Franziska Kocher ◽  
José Luis Peris ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose This study's main objective is to assess the feasibility of processing the MRI information with identified ACL-footprints into 2D-images similar to a conventional anteroposterior and lateral X-Ray image of the knee. The secondary aim is to conduct specific measurements to assess the reliability and reproducibility. This study is a proof of concept of this technique. Methods Five anonymised MRIs of a right knee were analysed. A orthopaedic knee surgeon performed the footprints identification. An ad-hoc software allowed a volumetric 3D image projection on a 2D anteroposterior and lateral view. The previously defined anatomical femoral and tibial footprints were precisely identified on these views. Several parameters were measured (e.g. coronal and sagittal ratio of tibial footprint, sagittal ratio of femoral footprint, femoral intercondylar notch roof angle, proximal tibial slope and others). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICCs), including 95% confidence intervals (CIs), has been calculated to assess intraobserver reproducibility and interobserver reliability. Results Five MRI scans of a right knee have been assessed (three females, two males, mean age of 30.8 years old). Five 2D-"CLASS" have been created. The measured parameters showed a "substantial" to "almost perfect" reproducibility and an "almost perfect" reliability. Conclusion This study confirmed the possibility of generating "CLASS" with the localised centroid of the femoral and tibial ACL footprints from a 3D volumetric model. "CLASS" also showed that these footprints were easily identified on standard anteroposterior and lateral X-Ray views of the same patient, thus allowing an individual identification of the anatomical femoral and tibial ACL's footprints. Level of evidence Level IV diagnostic study


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