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The reliability of four widely used patellar height ratios

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Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the inter-observer reliability and the intra-observer reliability of four patellar height ratios: Insall-Salvati (IS), modified Insall-Salvati (MIS), Blackburne-Peel (BP) and Caton-Deschamps (CD).

Methods

The patellar height ratios were assessed by four independent examiners using weight-bearing lateral knee radiographs in 30° flexion. Intra-class correlation coefficients and Fleiss’ kappa’s were determined.

Results

The inter-observer reliability was excellent for the IS and moderate for the other ratios. When the ratio values were categorized, the inter-observer reliability was strong for the IS, moderate for the MIS and BP, and poor for the CD. The intra-observer reliability was excellent for the IS, MIS and CD, and strong for the BP. When the ratio values were categorized, the intra-observer reliability was strong for the IS and MIS, and moderate for the other ratios.

Conclusion

Although the IS showed best reliability, we advise to use the MIS as it showed the second best reliability but is, according to the literature, associated with better validity.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Correspondence to Dennis van Duijvenbode.

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van Duijvenbode, D., Stavenuiter, M., Burger, B. et al. The reliability of four widely used patellar height ratios. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 40, 493–497 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-015-2908-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-015-2908-2

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