Intrarater and Interrater Reliability of the Beighton and Horan Joint Mobility Index

Objective: Clinicians may benefit from using a joint mobility index to screen for individuals on the high end of the spectrum of joint laxity (ie, those with generalized joint laxity), which may be associated with musculoskeletal complaints. Reliability of the Beighton and Horan Joint Mobility Index (BHJMI) has not been reported in the literature. Our purpose was to determine intrarater and interrater reliability of (1) composite BHJMI scores (the overall score from 0 to 9), and (2) categorized scores, the BHJMI scores in 3 categories (0 to 2, 3 to 4, and 5 to 9) Design and Setting: This was an intrarater and interrater reliability study. Data were collected in an academic physical therapy department and in a high school. Subjects: Forty-two (intrarater) and 36 (interrater) female volunteers, aged 15 to 45 years. Measurements: Subjects were screened using the BHJMI. Percentage agreement and the Spearman rho were used to analyze BHJMI composite and category scores. Results: The percentage agreement and the Spearman rho for intrarater and interrater reliability of BHJMI composite scores were 69% and .86 and 51% and .87, respectively. The percentage agreement and the Spearman rho for intrarater and interrater reliability of the category scores were 81% and .81 and 89% and .75, respectively. Conclusions: Reliability of the BHJMI was good to excellent in screening for generalized joint laxity in females aged 15 to 45 years

Foot posture in people with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Foot posture has long been considered to contribute to the development of lower limb musculoskeletal conditions as it may alter the mechanical alignment and dynamic function of the lower limb. This study compared foot posture in people with and without medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA) using a range of clinical foot measures. The reliability of the foot measures was also assessed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The foot posture of 32 patients with clinically and radiographically-confirmed OA predominantly in the medial compartment of the knee and 28 asymptomatic age-matched healthy controls was investigated using the foot posture index (FPI), vertical navicular height and drop, and the arch index. Independent t tests and effect size (Cohen's d) were used to investigate the differences between the groups in the foot posture measurements.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significant differences were found between the control and the knee OA groups in relation to the FPI (1.35 ± 1.43 vs. 2.46 ± 2.18, p = 0.02; <it>d </it>= 0.61, medium effect size), navicular drop (0.02 ± 0.01 vs. 0.03 ± 0.01, p = 0.01; <it>d </it>= 1.02, large effect size) and the arch index (0.22 ± 0.04 vs. 0.26 ± 0.04, p = 0.04; <it>d </it>= 1.02, large effect size). No significant difference was found for vertical navicular height (0.24 ± 0.03 vs. 0.23 ± 0.03, p = 0.54; <it>d </it>= 0.04, negligible effect size).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>People with medial compartment knee OA exhibit a more pronated foot type compared to controls. It is therefore recommended that the assessment of patients with knee OA in clinical practice should include simple foot measures, and that the potential influence of foot structure and function on the efficacy of foot orthoses in the management of medial compartment knee OA be further investigated.</p

Dominant-Limb Range-of-Motion and Humeral-Retrotorsion Adaptation in Collegiate Baseball and Softball Position Players

CONTEXT: Biomechanically, the motions used by baseball and softball pitchers differ greatly; however, the throwing motions of position players in both sports are strikingly similar. Although the adaptations to the dominant limb from overhead throwing have been well documented in baseball athletes, these adaptations have not been clearly identified in softball players. This information is important in order to develop and implement injury-prevention programs specific to decreasing the risk of upper extremity injury in softball athletes. OBJECTIVE: To compare range-of-motion and humeral-retrotorsion characteristics of collegiate baseball and softball position players and of baseball and softball players to sex-matched controls. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Research laboratories and athletic training rooms at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-three collegiate baseball players, 35 collegiate softball players, 25 male controls (nonoverhead athletes), and 19 female controls (nonoverhead athletes). INTERVENTION(S): Range of motion and humeral retrotorsion were measured using a digital inclinometer and diagnostic ultrasound. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Glenohumeral internal-rotation deficit, external-rotation gain, total glenohumeral range of motion, and humeral retrotorsion. RESULTS: Baseball players had greater glenohumeral internal-rotation deficit, total–range-of-motion, and humeral-retrotorsion difference than softball players and male controls. There were no differences between glenohumeral internal-rotation deficit, total–range-of-motion, and humeral-retrotorsion difference in softball players and female controls. CONCLUSIONS: Few differences were evident between softball players and female control participants, although range-of-motion and humeral-retrotorsion adaptations were significantly different than baseball players. The throwing motions are similar between softball and baseball, but the athletes adapt to the demands of the sport differently; thus, stretching/strengthening programs designed for baseball may not be the most effective programs for softball athletes