Reliability and agreement of ultrasonographic thickness measurements of the common lateral extensors of the elbow

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Marlijn Teggeler - , University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht (Author)
  • Marc Schmitz - , Institute for Immunology, Fontys University of Applied Sciences (Author)
  • Alexandra Fink - , University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht (Author)
  • Jaap A C G Jansen - , Fontys University of Applied Sciences (Author)
  • Martijn F Pisters - , University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht (Author)

Abstract

In individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy, the thickness of the common lateral extensors tendon can be evaluated by musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSU) for diagnostic and evaluative purposes. The reproducibility of these thickness measurements should be established before integrating it into daily practice. A test-retest design was used to determine the reproducibility of these measurements in the longitudinal and transverse planes. Seventy-three healthy participants were measured two times by two raters. Intra-class correlation coefficient values for inter-rater reliability for the longitudinal and transverse planes were 0.67 and 0.49. Intra-class correlation coefficient values for intra-rater reliability varied between 0.73 and 0.92. The smallest detectable change ranged from 0.50 to 0.78 mm and comprised 9.8%-16.3% of the mean thickness. MSU thickness measurement of the common lateral extensors tendon of the elbow has fair to excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability. Additionally, agreement is acceptable, which makes MSU a valuable tool for the evaluation of tendon thickness over time.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1592-8
Number of pages7
Journal Ultrasound in medicine & biology : official journal of the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
Volume41
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2015
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 84929507801

Keywords

Keywords

  • Adult, Elbow Joint/diagnostic imaging, Female, Humans, Male, Observer Variation, Reference Values, Reproducibility of Results, Tendons/diagnostic imaging, Ultrasonography