Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability of quantitative measures of the long head
of the biceps tendon using an ultrasound-imaging system. DESIGN: Intra- and
inter-rater reliability study. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS:
Thirty-one participants without
shoulder pain. METHODS:
All participants took part in 3 ultrasound imaging
sessions; they were assessed by 2 evaluators (inter-rater reliability), one of
whom assessed them twice (intra-rater reliability). All measurements were taken
at the widest identified part of the tendon using longitudinal and transverse
views. Measurements of the long head of the biceps tendon included width,
thickness and cross-sectional area. Intraclass correlation coefficients and
minimal detectable change were used to characterize reliability. RESULTS: Intra-
and inter-rater reliabilities were excellent for all measures when the mean of 2
measures were considered, except for inter-rater reliability of the width, for
which it ranged from 0.76 to 0.86. Minimal detectable change ranged from 0.3 to
1.6 mm for width and thickness, and from 2.8 to 4.9 mm2 for cross-sectional area.
CONCLUSION: Ultrasound measurement of the long head of the biceps tendon is a
highly reliable method, except for the width. When measuring the long head of the
biceps tendon, a mean of 2 measurements is recommended. Now that reliability has
been shown in healthy individuals, the next step will be to determine the
validity/reliability of these quantitative measures in symptomatic shoulders.

Langue : ANGLAIS