Characteristics and Individual Differences in Tibial Rotation Range of Motion: A New Measuring Method in the Prone Position

Abstract

[Purpose] This study examined the reliability of measuring the tibial rotation range of motion (ROM) using a spring-type clamping device and the characteristics and left-right differences with passive and active tibial rotation ROM. [Participants and Methods] Thirty healthy adults (15 females, mean age 20.4 years) participated in this study. In the prone position with 90° knee flexion, the tibial rotation ROM was measured from photo images captured by two devices. [Results] The intra-rater reliability ICC (1,1) for external rotation was 0.96 and 0.93 for internal rotation. The comparison of passive and active rotation showed that internal rotation was not significantly different from active ROM. Differences of more than 5° between right and left ROM in internal or external rotation were observed in 87% of the participants. [Conclusion] Using this prone measurement method, large individual differences in tibial rotation ROM were observed.