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DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749620
Evaluation of Leg-foot Range of Motion. Which Measurement Method is Most Reliable?[*]
Article in several languages: português | English
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the methods of measuring leg-foot movement in normal ankles and feet by comparing the results of clinical measurements with those of radiographic measurement and to determine the range of leg-foot movement considered normal.
Methods Leg-foot movement was measured in 44 patients (60 feet) using a traditional goniometer, digital goniometer, inclinometer, smartphone application, in addition to radiographic measurement (considered gold standard). Maximum dorsiflexion was achieved by asking the patient to take a step forward with the contralateral foot and perform as much dorsiflexion as possible in the ankle studied without removing the heel from the ground. For maximum plantar flexion, the patient was asked to take a step back with the contralateral foot and make as much plantar flexion as possible without removing the studied forefoot from the ground.
Results The values obtained in radiographic measurement were higher than those obtained with clinical measurement. When we compared only the results of clinical measurement, the traditional goniometer was inaccurate. According to the radiographic method, the mean leg-foot range of motion was 65.6 degrees. The mean maximum plantar flexion was 34.9 degrees, and the mean maximum dorsiflexion was 30.7 degrees.
Conclusions The most appropriate method for the evaluation of leg-foot range of motion is the radiographic one. The traditional goniometer proved to be the most imprecise clinical method. The mean leg-foot range of motion in healthy young adults was 65 degrees.
* Study carried out in the group of Foot and Ankle Surgery of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Santa Casa de São Paulo, “Pavilhão Fernandinho Simonsen” (Director: Professor Doctor Maria Fernanda Silber Caffaro), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Publication History
Received: 09 September 2021
Accepted: 28 April 2022
Article published online:
10 June 2022
© 2022. Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commecial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
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