Reliability of Force/Displacement Measures in a Clinical Device Designed to Measure Ligamentous Laxity at the Knee

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

5-1989

Program

Physical Therapy

Abstract

This research was supported by a grant from The Foundation for Physical Therapy, Alexandria, VA.

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of a quantitative measure of knee ligament laxity in vivo. The testing device simultaneously measures applied forces and resulting displacement at the knee through use of a multidimensional electrogoniometer, dynamometer, and a computer-assisted analysis system. Subjects were 30 females and 20 males, ranging in age from 18-32 years. Laxity tests were performed in the anterior/posterior (A/P) plane at 90 and 30° of knee flexion, and the varus/valgus (V/V) plane at 20 and 0° of knee flexion. Test-retest (N = 41) and intertester (N = 18) repeatability was assessed in all test positions by ANOVA and by coefficients of correlation and variability. No significant differences were found within testers for A/P or V/V tests 1 week apart at any angle tested. There were significant differences between testers for A/P and V/V tests. No significant differences were found between left and right sides, or between male/female values. Comparisons to other in vitro and in vivo studies are made.

Comments

Originally published:

Emery, M; Moffroid, M; Boerman, J; et. al. “Reliability of Force/Displacement Measures in a Clinical Device Designed to Measure Ligamentous Laxity at the Knee," Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy 10.11 (May 1989): 441-447.

Access open access and full text here: http://www.jospt.org/issues/articleID.1823,type.2/article_detail.asp

Publication

Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy

Volume

10

Issue

11

Pages

441-447

Link to Full Text


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