Validity and reliability of a new in vivo ankle stiffness measurement device

This investigation was designed to test the validity and reliability of a new measure of inversion/eversion ankle stiffness on a unique medial/lateral swaying cradle device utilizing a test/retest with comparison to a known standard. Ankle stiffness is essential to maintaining joint stability. Most ankle injuries occur via an inversion mechanism. To date, very little information is available regarding stiffness of the evertor muscles in the prevention of excessive inversion joint rotation. Transient oscillation data representing inversion/eversion stiffness was obtained in a bipedal weight-bearing stance with an upright posture. Using commercially available springs with stiffness of 4.80 N/cm the measured value recorded by the cradle was 4.87 N/cm. Mean active stiffness values of the ankle were 35.70 Nm/cm (SD 9.45). The trial-to-trial reliability ICC (2,1) coefficient was 0.96 with an SEM of 2.05 Nm/rad, and the day-to-day reliability ICC (2,k) coefficient was 0.93 and an SEM of 3.00 Nm/rad. The results demonstrate that inversion/eversion ankle stiffness measures on this device are a valid, repeatable and consistent measure. This is relevant because the ability to accurately quantify inversion/eversion ankle stiffness will improve our understanding of biomechanical stability and factors that influence it. It will also enable identification of ankle injury risk factors that will lead to more efficient rehabilitation programs and injury prevention strategies.