Reproducibility of radiographic methods for assessing longitudinal tarsal axes: Part 1: Consecutive case study. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kido, Masamitsu; Ikoma, Kazuya; Ikeda, Ryosuke; Hosokawa, Toshihiro; Hara, Yusuke; Imai, Kan; Maki, Masahiro; Ohashi, Suzuyo; Mikami, Yasuo; Kubo, Toshikazu
• Is Part Of: Foot. Volume 40(2019)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: Radiography -- Longitudinal tarsal axes -- Reproducibility -- Intraobserver and interobserver correlation coefficients; CT computed tomography -- MRI magnetic resonance imaging -- ICCs intraclass correlation coefficients -- PACS picture archiving and communication system; Foot -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Foot -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Foot Diseases -- Periodicals; Foot -- surgery -- Periodicals; Pied -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Pied -- Chirurgie -- Périodiques; Pied -- Lésions et blessures -- Périodiques; Foot -- Diseases; Foot -- Surgery; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 617.585005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foot.2019.03.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-2592

Abstract

Highlights: Calcaneal pitch and Meary's angle are commonly used to assess foot arches. The radiographic methods for evaluating tarsal axes differ among reports. The most reproducible methods were determined in this study. The talar axis was obtained from the tangents of its superior and inferior margins. The first metatarsal axis was determined from the centres of its head and base. The calcaneal axis was obtained from the tangent of its inferior surface. Abstract: Introduction: Calcaneal pitch angle and Meary's angle are commonly used to assess longitudinal foot arches on lateral-view radiographs. However, the methods used to obtain the talar, first metatarsal, calcaneal, and plantar axes differ across multiple reports, and no study has evaluated the reproducibility of these approaches. The aim of this study was to determine the most reproducible methods for radiographically evaluating longitudinal axes. Methods: Standing radiographic images of 40 feet from 21 consecutive outpatients were obtained to measure longitudinal axes of the talus, first metatarsal, calcaneus and plantar surface, which were defined using six, five, four and three different methods, respectively, selected from previous reports. Intraobserver and interobserver correlation coefficients were calculated. Results: The best intraobserver and interobserver correlation coefficients for the talar, first metatarsal, and calcaneal axes were obtained using methods involving a line bisecting the angle formed by the lines tangential to the superior and inferior margins of the talus, a line connecting the centre of the first metatarsal head and the midpoint of the visualized base of the first metatarsal, and a line drawn tangential to the inferior surface of the calcaneus, respectively. For the plantar axis, a method that used the horizontal plane (as a reference axis) was regarded as the best approach, although intraobserver and interobserver correlation coefficients could not be calculated because all values were zero. Conclusions: The aforementioned methods were considered to be optimal for the radiographic assessment of longitudinal foot arches. This study could contribute to more accurate assessments of foot deformities.