Date of Award

1993

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Thomas Mohr

Keywords

Patella -- physiopathology

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine an optimal electrode site of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) from a predetermined landmark on the patella.

Subjects. Twelve cadavers (6 male, 6 female), aged 30 to 86 years (x = 66.3), from Anatomy: PT 322 lab were utilized for data collection.

Methods. The following three measurements were taken on the lower extremities of the cadavers using a transparent double axis grid: 1) distance from the superior patellar pole to the adductor magnus tendon 2) distance from the superior patellar pole to the center point of the VMO and 3) the number and location of 1 cm2 boxes that would definitely correspond to VMO fibs-rs. The origin (0,0) was superimposed over the superior patellar pole with the x axis parallel and the y axis perpendicular to the long axis of the femur. A second data collection on 12 of the same specimens was used to analyze intratester reliability.

Results. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient for the first distance produced an r value of .42 and an r value of .84 for second distance. The average length from the superior patellar pole to the adductor magnus tendon was 6.40 cm (s = .59) and the average length from the superior patellar pole to the center point of the VMO was 4.58 cm (s = .67). The percentage of the total distance from the superior patellar pole to the adductor magnus tendon which corresponded to the center point of VMO fibers on the y axis was 71.6%. Therefore, the optimal electrode site on the VMO was determined to be at the 71.6% mark on the y axis and one and a half cm along the x axis from this point.

Conclusion. Several factors appeared to have affected the reliability scores, however this was the initial trial for the device utilized and more research with this method is required. An optimal site for electrode placement on the VMO was determined which may prove beneficial for further studies in this area.

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