Bilateral asymmetries in clinical measures of lower-extremity anatomic characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify side-to-side differences in lower-extremity anatomic characteristics, and to compare the magnitude of left-right differences with the measurement error for each variable.


METHODS
: Descriptive.


METHODS
Applied neuromechanics research laboratory.


METHODS
One hundred healthy participants (50 male, 50 females).


METHODS
One examiner measured 14 anatomic characteristics on the left and right lower extremities. The value on the left was subtracted from value on the right, and 68% (+/-1 SD) and 95% (+/-1.96 SD) confidence intervals were constructed around the mean differences, respectively. These values were compared with the examiner's absolute measurement error for each measure.


METHODS
Total leg length, pelvic angle, hip anteversion, standing and supine quadriceps angle, tibiofemoral angle, knee laxity, genu recurvatum, femur and tibia length, tibial torsion, rearfoot angle, and navicular drop.


RESULTS
Left-right differences in pelvic angle, tibial torsion, and navicular drop exceeded the measurement error in more than 32% of the cases. Five to thirty-two percent of the cases had left-right differences exceeding the measurement error for hip anteversion, standing and supine quadriceps angle, tibiofemoral angle, knee laxity, genu recurvatum, and femur length. Asymmetries in limb length were not observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Bilateral asymmetries exist in many clinical alignment characteristics, indicating that measurements taken on one limb may not be representative of the contralateral limb. We recommend measuring both extremities when anatomic characteristics are included as part of preseason screenings and prospective study designs to ensure valid comparison.
Shultz
Sandra J
SJ
Applied Neuromechanics Research Laboratory, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
Nguyen
Anh-Dung
AD
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006615:Hip / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D010388:Pelvis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013977:Tibia / Q000033:anatomy & histology