ABSTRACT

Aim: Capturing body images through digital photography method for calculation of quadriceps angles and pelvic position in clinical assessment is an inexpensive method. The aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability of measuring Q-angle and pelvic tilt angle with digital camera and Microdicom software.

Place and duration: University of Lahore and Tehran University of medical sciences, from June 2020 to June 2021

Methods: Bilateral lower limbs of fifteen healthy asymptomatic subjects were considered for calculations of desired angles. A 13-megapixel camera was used to capture images of quadriceps angle (q-angle) measurement in an anterior view and for pelvic angle measurement image in lateral view along with specific landmark markers on the body were captured. Images were transferred to Microdicom software for calculating desire angles. Three trails of procedures and Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI), Munro’s classification for reliability coefficients were used for the description of degrees. Standard error of measurement (SEM) was also calculated.

Results: The Intra-class correlation coefficient values for right side Q- angle was 0.949(0.878-.981) and for left side it was 0.924(0.819-0.972) and <0.005 significant p-value. The ICC results for measuring pelvic title angle in the right side .990 (.975-.996) and left legs were .991 (.974-.997). Showing that the results were highly reliable and significant (p<0.005).

Conclusions: The q-angle and pelvic angle measured with digital image have excellent consistency and reliability.