• Intra- and interobserver relia...

Treffer: Intra- and interobserver reliability of femoral torsion measurement using ultrasound with inertial sensor in children aged 7-9 years.

Title:
Intra- and interobserver reliability of femoral torsion measurement using ultrasound with inertial sensor in children aged 7-9 years.
Authors:
Ruiz-Tarrazo X; Sport, Exercise, and Human Movement (SEaHM) Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences at Manresa, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Av. Universitària, 4-6, Manresa 08242, Spain; Faculty of Health Sciences at Manresa, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Av. Universitària, 4-6, Manresa 08242, Spain. Electronic address: xruiz@umanresa.cat., Coda A; Podiatry, School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing - The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; 'Equity in Health and Wellbeing Research Program', Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: andrea.coda@newcastle.edu.au., Sánchez-Dueñas C; Faculty of Health Sciences at Manresa, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Av. Universitària, 4-6, Manresa 08242, Spain. Electronic address: csanchez03@umanresa.cat., Tárrega S; Research Group in Epidemiology and Public Health in the Digital Health Context (Epi4health), Faculty of Health Sciences at Manresa, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Av. Universitària, 4-6, Manresa 08242, Spain; Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici B. Campus de la UAB. 08193, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallés), Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: starrega@umanresa.cat., Escalona-Marfil C; Sport, Exercise, and Human Movement (SEaHM) Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences at Manresa, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Av. Universitària, 4-6, Manresa 08242, Spain; Faculty of Health Sciences at Manresa, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Av. Universitària, 4-6, Manresa 08242, Spain; University School of Health and Sport (EUSES), University of Girona, C/ Francesc Macià, 65, 17190, Salt, Girona, Spain. Electronic address: cescalona@umanresa.cat.
Source:
Gait & posture [Gait Posture] 2026 Feb; Vol. 124, pp. 110046. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Nov 07.
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: Elsevier Sciencem Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9416830 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1879-2219 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09666362 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Gait Posture Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Publication: <2007->: Oxford, UK : Elsevier Sciencem
Original Publication: Oxford, UK : Butterworth-Heinemann, c1993-
MeSH Terms:
Femur*/diagnostic imaging , Femur*/physiopathology , Torsion Abnormality*/diagnostic imaging, Humans ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Prospective Studies ; Reproducibility of Results ; Ultrasonography/methods ; Observer Variation ; Biomechanical Phenomena
Contributed Indexing:
Keywords: Femoral torsion; Hip rotation; Inertial sensor; Paediatric assessment; Reliability; Ultrasonography
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20251115 Date Completed: 20251211 Latest Revision: 20251211
Update Code:
20251212
DOI:
10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110046
PMID:
41240720
Database:
MEDLINE

Weitere Informationen

Background: Accurate assessment of femoral torsion in children is crucial for diagnosing and managing musculoskeletal conditions. Ultrasonography offers a non-invasive, cost-effective alternative to traditional imaging, but its reliability and validity remain underexplored.
Purpose: To evaluate the reliability of two ultrasonography-based methods-single- and dual-reference-for measuring femoral torsion in children aged 7-9 years, using an inertial sensor attached to the transducer. Additionally, the study examined inter-method differences, assessed biomechanical consistency via correlation with hip rotation, and evaluated children's satisfaction with the procedure.
Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted with 20 children (40 femora) between November 2023 and December 2024. The single-reference method assessed the proximal femur; the dual-reference also included the femoral condyles. Intra-observer reliability was tested with repeated measurements two weeks apart; inter-observer reliability was assessed between two independent raters. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Spearman's rho were used to evaluate reliability. Satisfaction was assessed via a five-level Faces Scale.
Results: Both the single-reference and dual-reference methods demonstrated excellent reliability, with intra-observer ICC <subscript>(2,1)</subscript> values of 0.962 and 0.952, and inter-observer values of 0.915 and 0.914, respectively. The single-reference method consistently produced higher torsion values (mean differences: 9.21° and 8.45°), though results were strongly correlated. Correlations with hip rotation ranged from ρ = 0.666 to -0.676 (P < .001). Satisfaction was high: 95 % reported no or mild discomfort, 90 % found the procedure comfortable, and 75 % were willing to repeat it.
Conclusion: Ultrasonography combined with inertial sensors provides a reliable, non-invasive method for assessing femoral torsion in children, with good clinical feasibility and high acceptance.
(Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.