RELIABILITY OF MEASURES OF THE CUBITAL TUNNEL USING HIGH RESOLUTION ULTRASOUND: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Kerry A Thoirs DMU MMedRad, Senior Sonographer, Benson Radiology, North Adelaide, South Australia. Marie T Williams PhD, Senior Lecturer, School of Physiotherapy, City East Campus, University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia.

Abstract
We aimed to develop a protocol that measured structures of the cubital tunnel using high resolution ultrasound which was stable and reproducible. Ten asymptomatic subjects were invited to partake in the study. We tested reliability of the measurements using a test-retest design and a strict scanning and positioning protocol. Measurements were taken with the upper limb in three different test positions - with the elbow extended, with the elbow flexed 90 degrees, and with the elbow fully flexed. A measurement was considered to be reliable if no significant difference (p<0.05) was demonstrated between the test and re-test, Pearson’s correlation co-efficent was greater than or equal to 0.5, and the ICC values were greater than or equal to 0.6. Reliability was demonstrated for the majority of measures. This study demonstrates that the structures of the cubital tunnel can be reliably measured when a closely controlled positioning and measurement protocol are undertaken.

Citation
Thoirs K and Williams M. Reliability of measure of the cubital tunnel using high resolution ultrasound: a preliminary study. ASUM Bulletin 2001.2:9-13.