Intraobserver reliability of static measures in the normally developing infant foot and clubfoot

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Clinical Measurement Science

Background:

• Static foot measurements are crucial in infant clinical practice and research.
• Published reliability data for these infant measurements are often lacking.
• Assessing measurement reliability is vital for accurate clinical decisions and study validity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the intraobserver reliability of static foot measurements in infants.
• To determine the reliability of specific measurements in both normally developing and clubfeet.
• To identify which static infant foot measurements are suitable for clinical and research applications.

Main Methods:

• Intraobserver reliability was assessed for static foot measurements in infants.
• The study included infants with normally developing feet and those with clubfeet.
• The coefficient of repeatability was employed to quantify measurement reliability.

Main Results:

• Variability in reliability was observed across different static measurements.
• Ankle dorsiflexion, calf circumference, and foot length demonstrated reliable intraobserver measurements in both infant groups.
• Foot width and ankle plantarflexion (flexed or extended knee) showed unreliable results, questioning their clinical utility.

Conclusions:

• Ankle dorsiflexion, calf circumference, and foot length are reliable static measures in infants.
• These reliable measures can be confidently used for clinical decision-making and supporting study conclusions.
• Unreliable measures, such as foot width and certain ankle plantarflexion assessments, should be used with caution or avoided in clinical settings.