The relationship between grading and instrumented measurements of anterior knee joint laxity.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between clinical judgments of anterior knee laxity and instrumented measurement of anterior tibial translation is unclear.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between certified athletic trainers'grading of anterior knee laxity and instrumented measurements of anterior tibial translation.


METHODS
Randomized, blinded, clinical assessment.


METHODS
Laboratory.


METHODS
Model patients receiving evaluation of anterior knee laxity.


METHODS
Twelve model patients were evaluated using a MEDmetric KT1000 knee ligament Arthrometer to establish instrumented measurements of anterior translation values at the tibio-femoral joint. Twenty-two certified athletic trainers were provided with operational definitions of potential laxity grades and examined the model patients to make judgments of anterior knee laxity.


METHODS
Correlation between clinical judgments and instrumented measurements of anterior tibial translation.


RESULTS
Clinical judgments and instrumented measurements were mutually independent.


CONCLUSIONS
Anterior tibial translation grading by certified athletic trainers should be interpreted with caution during clinical decision-making.
Hurley
Wendy L
WL
Kinesiology Department, SUNY, Cortland, USA. hurleyw@em.cortland.edu
Denegar
Craig
C
Buckley
William E
WE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001265:Athletic Injuries; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D014481:United States