The Relationship between Grading and Instrumented Measurements of Anterior Knee Joint Laxity

Abstract

CONTEXT: The relationship between clinical judgments of anterior knee laxity and instrumented measurement of anterior tibial translation is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between certified athletic trainers'grading of anterior knee laxity and instrumented measurements of anterior tibial translation. DESIGN: Randomized, blinded, clinical assessment. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Model patients receiving evaluation of anterior knee laxity. INTERVENTION: Twelve model patients were evaluated using a MEDmetric KT1000 knee ligament Arthrometer to establish instrumented measurements of anterior translation values at the tibio-femoral joint. Twenty-two certified athletic trainers were provided with operational definitions of potential laxity grades and examined the model patients to make judgments of anterior knee laxity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlation between clinical judgments and instrumented measurements of anterior tibial translation. RESULTS: Clinical judgments and instrumented measurements were mutually independent. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior tibial translation grading by certified athletic trainers should be interpreted with caution during clinical decision-making.