Study of the locations of measurement points on the greater trochanter for the measurement of trochanter-malleolar distance by physical therapists

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the detailed points of the greater trochanter where physical therapists choose as a landmark to measure the trochanter-malleolar distance. The subjects were 33 physical therapists affiliated with 6 medical facilities. The therapists placed markers on the region of the greater trochanter in the femur model where they set measurement points to determine trochanter-malleolar distance. Photos of the markers were taken with a digital camera. The digital photos of the markers were analyzed with ImageJ (National Institute of Health). Most markers were found around the most externally prominent point of the greater trochanter. A few markers were found on the upper, posterior, and inferior-anterior aspect of the greater trochanter. These results suggest that standardized measurement points for the greater trochanter are necessary to improve inter-rater reliability in the measurement of trochanter-malleolar distance.