FAI range of motion : validatie studie

Background: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is being increasingly diagnosed in young adults with groin pain and it is thought to be a cause of primary osteoarthritis of the hip. Clinical Graphics developed software which makes it possible to study hip movement in a dynamic three-dimensional model. Before this technique can be used in clinical practice it must be validated for measuring range of motion. Methods: The end range of motion of two cadaver hips was measured in flexion, abduction, internal rotation , internal rotation at 90° of hip flexion with an electromagnetic tracking system (ETS) and compared with the end range of motion of the movement analysis of Clinical Graphics. Results: The movement analysis measures a greater range of motion of the hip compared to the ETS. ( range 6-27,7graden, p=0,018) Conclusion: The tested software does not give a realistic record of hip range of motion. Therefore it can not be used as a golden standard in clinical practice for diagnosing femoroacetabular impingement. There are some indications that the software measures impingement accurately. Further research is required.