J Korean Foot Ankle Soc.  2013 Mar;17(1):40-44.

Comparison of Angle Measurements on Hallux Valgus with Two Different Methods Using Digital Images

• Sung IH
• Kim KC
• Sung CH
• Seo WY
• Lee DY
• Cho YA

Abstract

PURPOSE
To study inter- and intra-observer reliabilities of computerized measurements of the angular parameters of hallux valgus deformity, using two different kinds of software tools for angle measurement on the digital radiography.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
On 35 digital radiographies of standing foot anteroposterior view of hallux valgus, two observers (A, B) independently measured hallux valgus angle (HVA) and 1-2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA1-2) twice, using two methods. In method I, an angle was determined from duplicated lines to longitudinal axes made for bisecting line on the target bones with software tool. In method II, an angle was calculated automatically and directly from bisecting lines (longitudinal axes) made on the target bones. We compared two methods using paired t-test to determine significance of differences. Inter- and intra-observer reliabilities were evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).
RESULTS
There were no significant differences between measurements of method I and II for each observer (p>0.05) and intraobserver reliability were good. (ICC>0.9) Inter-observer reliability for method I and II was good of the HVA (ICCs, 0.912 and 0.905) and moderate of the IMA1-2 (ICCs, 0.505 and 0.537). There were interobserver differences in HVA of method I and II.
CONCLUSION
No significant difference was found statistically between measurements of method I and II. Both methods I and II would be acceptable to measure angular parameters of hallux valgus deformity.

Keyword

Hallux valgus; Angular parameters; Computerized measurement; Different software tools

MeSH Terms

Congenital Abnormalities
Foot
Hallux
Hallux Valgus
Software