Abstract
Knee osteoarthritis presents pain, loss of function, and joint swelling as its main symptoms. The joint swelling is defined as an accumulation of fluid in the joint due to the inflammatory process that contributes to progressive joint damage; it causes limitation in the range of knee motion, decreases proprioception, and affects the functional capacity and the quality of life of the individual. The measurement of articular cartilage volume is essential in clinical practice. The measurement of knee circumference using a measuring tape is a widely used, inexpensive, and accessible technique. However, as it is considered subjective, there is no evidence to support its use. Objective: To examine the reproducibility of this technique in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Method: Participants underwent two evaluations performed by two independent raters, at different times. The measurement of knee circumference was performed using a measuring tape 150 cm in length, taking as reference the superior pole of the patella. Results: The knee circumferences of 114 individuals were measured. According to the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), we observed a strong correlation (ICC = 0.98) between raters. Conclusion: The use of a measuring tape as a resource to measure knee circumference in individuals with osteoarthritis is a reliable and reproducible method.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call