A novel method of measuring passive quasi-stiffness in the first metatarsophalangeal joint
Abstract Background First metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) mobility is commonly assessed by its angular displacement (joint angle) or subjectively rated as ‘hypermobile’, ‘normal’ or ‘stiff’ by a clinician. Neither of these methods is ideal because displacement alone does not take into account the f...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2016-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Foot and Ankle Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13047-016-0173-2 |
| _version_ | 1797331437902364672 |
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| author | Marabelle L. Heng Yaohui K. Chua Hong K. Pek Priathashini Krishnasamy Pui W. Kong |
| author_facet | Marabelle L. Heng Yaohui K. Chua Hong K. Pek Priathashini Krishnasamy Pui W. Kong |
| author_sort | Marabelle L. Heng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background First metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) mobility is commonly assessed by its angular displacement (joint angle) or subjectively rated as ‘hypermobile’, ‘normal’ or ‘stiff’ by a clinician. Neither of these methods is ideal because displacement alone does not take into account the force required to displace the joint and subjective evaluation is not always reliable. This study presented a novel method to determine the passive quasi-stiffness of the first MTPJ. The reliability of the proposed method was also assessed. The first MTPJ passive quasi-stiffness of 13 healthy subjects were measured at two occasions, 7 days apart, by two testers (experienced and inexperienced). A tactile pressure sensing system was used to measure the force applied to dorsiflex the first toe by the testers. The torque (in Nmm) about the first MTPJ was calculated as the applied force (in N) multiplied by a moment arm (in mm), where moment arm was the length of the first proximal phalanx. A video camera recorded the motion of the first MTPJ, simultaneously with force measurements, to determine the joint angular displacement (in degrees) using the Dartfish software. The quasi-stiffness (in Nmm/degrees) was calculated as the slope of a graph where torque was plotted against first MTPJ angular displacement. Descriptive statistics of the first MTPJ quasi-stiffness were calculated. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were assessed using Bland and Altman plot, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and standard error of measurement (SEM). Results First MTPJ quasi-stiffness of the subjects ranged widely from 0.66 to 53.4 Nmm/degrees. Intra-rater reliability for experienced tester was moderate (Session 1: 14.9 ± 14.6 Nmm/degrees, Session 2: 14.2 ± 8.5 Nmm/degrees, ICC = .568, SEM = 7.71 Nmm/degrees). Inter-rater reliability between experienced (12.6 ± 8.4 Nmm/degrees) and non-experienced (19.9 ± 9.2 Nmm/degrees) testers was poor (ICC = -.447, SEM = 11.29 Nmm/degrees). Conclusions First MTPJ passive quasi-stiffness can be quantified from torque and angular displacement measurements using simple equipment in a clinical setting. The tester’s experience affected the consistency in joint quasi-stiffness measurements. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T07:34:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c1cf5ac0402345a3b7025111e170d59e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1757-1146 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T07:34:32Z |
| publishDate | 2016-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Foot and Ankle Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-c1cf5ac0402345a3b7025111e170d59e2024-02-02T19:27:05ZengBMCJournal of Foot and Ankle Research1757-11462016-10-01911910.1186/s13047-016-0173-2A novel method of measuring passive quasi-stiffness in the first metatarsophalangeal jointMarabelle L. Heng0Yaohui K. Chua1Hong K. Pek2Priathashini Krishnasamy3Pui W. Kong4Physical Education and Sports Science Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological UniversityPhysical Education and Sports Science Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological UniversityPhysical Education and Sports Science Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological UniversitySports Medicine and Surgery Clinic, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Medical Centre 2Physical Education and Sports Science Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological UniversityAbstract Background First metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) mobility is commonly assessed by its angular displacement (joint angle) or subjectively rated as ‘hypermobile’, ‘normal’ or ‘stiff’ by a clinician. Neither of these methods is ideal because displacement alone does not take into account the force required to displace the joint and subjective evaluation is not always reliable. This study presented a novel method to determine the passive quasi-stiffness of the first MTPJ. The reliability of the proposed method was also assessed. The first MTPJ passive quasi-stiffness of 13 healthy subjects were measured at two occasions, 7 days apart, by two testers (experienced and inexperienced). A tactile pressure sensing system was used to measure the force applied to dorsiflex the first toe by the testers. The torque (in Nmm) about the first MTPJ was calculated as the applied force (in N) multiplied by a moment arm (in mm), where moment arm was the length of the first proximal phalanx. A video camera recorded the motion of the first MTPJ, simultaneously with force measurements, to determine the joint angular displacement (in degrees) using the Dartfish software. The quasi-stiffness (in Nmm/degrees) was calculated as the slope of a graph where torque was plotted against first MTPJ angular displacement. Descriptive statistics of the first MTPJ quasi-stiffness were calculated. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were assessed using Bland and Altman plot, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and standard error of measurement (SEM). Results First MTPJ quasi-stiffness of the subjects ranged widely from 0.66 to 53.4 Nmm/degrees. Intra-rater reliability for experienced tester was moderate (Session 1: 14.9 ± 14.6 Nmm/degrees, Session 2: 14.2 ± 8.5 Nmm/degrees, ICC = .568, SEM = 7.71 Nmm/degrees). Inter-rater reliability between experienced (12.6 ± 8.4 Nmm/degrees) and non-experienced (19.9 ± 9.2 Nmm/degrees) testers was poor (ICC = -.447, SEM = 11.29 Nmm/degrees). Conclusions First MTPJ passive quasi-stiffness can be quantified from torque and angular displacement measurements using simple equipment in a clinical setting. The tester’s experience affected the consistency in joint quasi-stiffness measurements.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13047-016-0173-2ForceTorqueVideoAngular displacementMobilityTactile pressure |
| spellingShingle | Marabelle L. Heng Yaohui K. Chua Hong K. Pek Priathashini Krishnasamy Pui W. Kong A novel method of measuring passive quasi-stiffness in the first metatarsophalangeal joint Journal of Foot and Ankle Research Force Torque Video Angular displacement Mobility Tactile pressure |
| title | A novel method of measuring passive quasi-stiffness in the first metatarsophalangeal joint |
| title_full | A novel method of measuring passive quasi-stiffness in the first metatarsophalangeal joint |
| title_fullStr | A novel method of measuring passive quasi-stiffness in the first metatarsophalangeal joint |
| title_full_unstemmed | A novel method of measuring passive quasi-stiffness in the first metatarsophalangeal joint |
| title_short | A novel method of measuring passive quasi-stiffness in the first metatarsophalangeal joint |
| title_sort | novel method of measuring passive quasi stiffness in the first metatarsophalangeal joint |
| topic | Force Torque Video Angular displacement Mobility Tactile pressure |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13047-016-0173-2 |
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