Reliability of laser-assisted hindfoot alignment evaluation

[Purpose] A goniometer is frequently used for static measurement of hindfoot alignment. However, although goniometer measurements require experience, their reliability and validity remain controversial. We developed a hindfoot alignment measurement method by laser as an alternative measure. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of laser-assisted hindfoot alignment evaluation. [Participants and Methods] Two non-expert examiners (without medical knowledge), briefly trained in the use of laser-assisted hindfoot alignment evaluation, evaluated hindfoot alignment in 12 healthy participants. [Results] The ICC of the intra-rater reliability was 0.74 for both examiners and the ICC for inter-rater reliability was 0.43. [Conclusion] The good intra-rater and moderate inter-rater reliability of laser-assisted hindfoot alignment evaluation, when used by non-professionals, suggest the laser-assisted hindfoot alignment evaluation may be appropriate for use in clinical practice settings.