Reliability of digital photography for assessing lower extremity alignment in individuals with flatfeet and normal feet types

Abstract

AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the intratester reliability of digital photographic method for quantifying static lower extremity alignment in individuals with flatfeet and normal feet types. MethodsThirteen females with flexible flatfeet and nine females with normal feet types were recruited from university communities. Reflective markers were attached over the participant's body landmarks. Frontal and sagittal plane photographs were taken while the participants were in a standardized standing position. The markers were removed and after 30 min the same procedure was repeated. Pelvic angle, quadriceps angle, tibiofemoral angle, genu recurvatum, femur length and tibia length were measured from photographs using the Image j software. ResultsAll measured variables demonstrated good to excellent intratester reliability using digital photography in both flatfeet (ICC: 0.79–0.93) and normal feet type (ICC: 0.84–0.97) groups. ConclusionThe findings of the current study indicate that digital photography is a highly reliable method of measurement for assessing lower extremity alignment in both flatfeet and normal feet type groups.