ASSESSMENT OF REARFOOT MOTION - PASSIVE POSITIONING, ONE-LEGGED STANDING, GAIT

Earlier studies that address assessment of the subtalar joint (STJ) by measuring rearfoot motion used a goniometer to evaluate intertester r eliability. Few investigations have determined how positions of the re arfoot, assessed manually (passive range of motion) or statically in o ne-legged standing, compare with those occurring during walking. The p urpose of this study was to determine the following: (1) the intertest er reliability of positioning the STJ in neutral, maximum inversion, a nd maximum eversion; (2) the reliability of the rearfoot position duri ng relaxed one-legged standing; and (3) how these positions compare to rearfoot motion during walking. An electrogoniometer attached to the lateral aspect of the lower leg and heel was used to record the positi on of the rearfoot during testing procedures. Ten healthy volunteers p articipated. Rearfoot position was recorded during relaxed one-legged standing and during free and fast walking. Additionally, rearfoot posi tion was recorded while each of three physical therapists positioned t he STJ in neutral, maximum inversion, and maximum eversion. Interteste r reliability for positioning the STJ in neutral, maximum inversion, a nd maximum eversion yielded intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.7 6, 0.37, and 0.39, respectively. Reliability of relaxed one-legged sta nding had an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.92. The rearfoot position in relaxed one-legged standing and the maximum eversion posit ion occurring during gait were not significantly different. These find ings suggest that there is good intertester reliability in positioning the STJ in neutral. Additionally, the rearfoot position in relaxed on e-legged standing may be used to approximate the maximum eversion posi tion that occurs during gait.