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Intratest Reliability in Determining the Subtalar Joint Axis Using the Palpation Technique Described by K. Kirby

Joris De Schepper Department of Podiatry, Artevelde University College, Ghent, Belgium.
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physical Therapy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

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 MSc Pod
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Ken Van Alsenoy Department of Podiatry, Artevelde University College, Ghent, Belgium.

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 BSc Pod, MSc Pod (Can)
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Johan Rijckaert Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physical Therapy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Department of Audiology, Artevelde University College, Ghent, Belgium.

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 MSc Phys, BaAud
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Sophie De Mits Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physical Therapy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

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 PT, BaPod, PhD (Can)
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Tom Lootens Department of Orthopedics, AZ Maria Middelares-St. Jozef, Ghent, Belgium.

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Philip Roosen Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physical Therapy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

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 PhD, PT, BaPod

Background:

Exact determination and classification of the spatial position of the subtalar joint axis could be a predictive clinical variable in biomechanical analysis and a valuable tool in the design of functional foot orthoses.

Methods:

Three clinicians with different levels of experience determined and classified the subtalar joint axis location, three times, on 52 individuals, using the clinical palpation, allocation and interpretation technique, as described by K. Kirby.

Results:

High intratester precision (ICC 0.72 to 0.93) was found for determining the axis location (SEM, 3.72° for angle/0.27 cm for X-axis); however, classification of the spatial position of the axis has large intertester variation (κ = 0.243 to 0.494)

Conclusions:

The clinical palpation technique itself is reliable; the consistent attribution of a classification, in other words, interpretation, is weak. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 102(2): 122–129, 2012)

Corresponding author: Joris De Schepper, MSc Pod, Artevelde University College/University of Ghent, Voetweg 66, Ghent, 9000, Belgium. (E-mail: joris.deschepper@arteveldehs.be or joris.deschepper@ugent.be)
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