Maria Swennergren Hansen1, Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod2, Morten Tange Kristensen3. 1. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research-Copenhagen (PMR-C), Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Kettegård allé 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark; Department of Physiotherapy, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Kettegård allé 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark. Electronic address: maria_swennergren@hotmail.com. 2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Orthopaedic Research Hvidovre, Kettegård allé 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark. Electronic address: kristoffer.barfod@gmail.com. 3. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research-Copenhagen (PMR-C), Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Kettegård allé 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark; Department of Physiotherapy, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Kettegård allé 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Orthopaedic Research Hvidovre, Kettegård allé 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark. Electronic address: mortentange@hotmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is a need for a valid, reliable, and easily applicable clinical measure of the length of the Achilles tendon (AT) after rupture. This study examines the reliability of a new ruler based measurement, the Achilles Tendon Length Measure (ATLM) in comparison with the goniometer-based Achilles Tendon Resting Angle (ATRA). METHODS: Measurements were performed by two independent physiotherapists eight weeks after AT rupture on 28 patients treated non-operatively. RESULTS: The mean (SD) injured ATLM was 56.5 (2.3)cm, ICC2.1 0.91(CI [0.72-0.97]), SEM 0.7cm (SEM% 1.2), MDC 1.9cm (MDC% 3.4). Corresponding data for the injured ATRA was mean 64.4° (3.9°), ICC2.1 0.84 (CI [0.68-0-92]), SEM 1.5° (SEM% 2.4), MDC 4.3° (MDC% 6.6). CONCLUSION: Both ATLM and ATRA showed excellent inter-rater reliability with low measurement error. Both measurements seem easy to use in clinical practice and potentially providing an indirect measure of the length of the AT after rupture.
BACKGROUND: There is a need for a valid, reliable, and easily applicable clinical measure of the length of the Achilles tendon (AT) after rupture. This study examines the reliability of a new ruler based measurement, the Achilles Tendon Length Measure (ATLM) in comparison with the goniometer-based Achilles Tendon Resting Angle (ATRA). METHODS: Measurements were performed by two independent physiotherapists eight weeks after AT rupture on 28 patients treated non-operatively. RESULTS: The mean (SD) injured ATLM was 56.5 (2.3)cm, ICC2.1 0.91(CI [0.72-0.97]), SEM 0.7cm (SEM% 1.2), MDC 1.9cm (MDC% 3.4). Corresponding data for the injured ATRA was mean 64.4° (3.9°), ICC2.1 0.84 (CI [0.68-0-92]), SEM 1.5° (SEM% 2.4), MDC 4.3° (MDC% 6.6). CONCLUSION: Both ATLM and ATRA showed excellent inter-rater reliability with low measurement error. Both measurements seem easy to use in clinical practice and potentially providing an indirect measure of the length of the AT after rupture.
Authors: Jennifer A Zellers; Marianne Christensen; Inge Lunding Kjær; Michael Skovdal Rathleff; Karin Grävare Silbernagel Journal: Orthop J Sports Med Date: 2019-11-25
Authors: Michael R Carmont; Jennifer A Zellers; Annelie Brorsson; Nicklas Olsson; Katarina Nilsson-Helander; Jon Karlsson; Karin Grävare Silbernagel Journal: Orthop J Sports Med Date: 2017-08-23
Authors: Michael R Carmont; Jennifer A Zellers; Annelie Brorsson; Katarina Nilsson-Helander; Jón Karlsson; Karin Grävare Silbernagel Journal: Orthop J Sports Med Date: 2020-03-25