A novel rapid measurement of hallux valgus parameters using the built-in photo edit function of smartphones

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy and reliability of and time taken by a novel method using the built-in photo-edit function of smartphones compared with PACS in measuring hallux valgus parameters. Methods Seventy patients (124 ft) admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of hallux valgus without previous surgical procedures were retrospectively reviewed. The foot radiographs of all the patients were extracted from PACS. The hallux valgus angle (HVA) and the first and second intermetatarsal angles (IMAs) were measured by PACS and by this novel method using the built-in photo-edit function of a smartphone. The results of these two methods were compared, and the accuracy and reliability were assessed between these two methods. Results The average parameters measured by PACS were as follows: HVA average: 37.43 ± 9.61°; IMA average: 13.37 ± 4.01°. The average parameters measured by smartphones were as follows: HVA average: 37.09 ± 9.52° and IMA average: 13.49 ± 3.91°. When compared by the independent-samples T test, the average parameters between PACS and smartphones were not significantly different (HVA PACS vs HVA smartphones: P = 0.776; IMA PACS vs IMA smartphones: P = 0.816). The variability of the HVA (F = 0.166, P = 0.992) and IMA (F = 0.215, P = 0.982) measurements was similar for the PACS and smartphones. The ICCs of the average parameters of four measurements of HVA and IMA between PACS and smartphones were 0.995 (0.991–0.997) and 0.970 (0.958–0.979), indicating that the two methods were highly correlated. For the smartphone measurement, the interobserver and intraobserver reliability was very good for HVA and IMA. The average measurement time of PACS was 25.41 ± 0.86 s, and the average measurement time of smartphones was 20.29 ± 1.22 s. The smartphone time was significantly faster than that of PACS by approximately 5 s (P<0.001). Conclusion This novel method using the built-in photo-edit function of smartphones is accurate, reliable, convenient and time-saving in measuring the angles of hallux valgus.

Rapid measurement of thoracolumbar kyphosis with the integrated inclinometer of a smartphone: a validity and reliability study

“…The lack of updating and routine maintenance make these apps incompatible with the latest smartphone. Extra fees and potential bugs make them not as friendly as the built-in function of smartphones 4 . Most of these apps are based on the Apple iPhone platform, thus excluding users of Android and other smartphone systems, which are common in developing countries.…”

“…The traditional measuring method, in which a marking pen and protractor are used, is inconvenient and time-consuming, and could be more troublesome and film-stained when using included angle of vertical lines of endplates in small kyphotic angle patients 3 . The current gold standard relies on picture archiving and communication systems (PACSs), which are normally rooted in hospital computer systems and lack portability as well as convenient accessibility by a large user base 4 . Some iPhone apps have been designed and used to measure kyphotic angles in lateral X-ray films; however, these apps have some unavoidable disadvantages, including fees and lack of software stability 5 , 6 .…”

Validity and reliability of a novel iPhone method to rapidly measure cervical sagittal parameters

“…Therefore, in the present research, we introduced a new measuring method based on the iPhone’s intrinsic photo edit function to measure cervical sagittal parameters. This novel method has proven useful in the measurement of lumbar pelvic parameters and hallux valgus parameters 10 , 14 . In the present study, the validity of this new method with the PACS method was compared, and the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of this novel method were evaluated.…”

“…With the popularity of electronic products, some iPhone apps have been developed to assess orthopaedic parameters. However, defects of these apps, such as download fees, less stability compared to that of the intrinsic function of smartphones, lack of updates, and lack of applicability to smartphone systems other than the iPhone system, cannot be ignored 10 . Therefore, in the present research, we introduced a new measuring method based on the iPhone's intrinsic photo edit function to measure cervical sagittal parameters.…”

“…Therefore, it is necessary to find a method that can measure cervical sagittal parameters accurately, quickly and conveniently. Shortcomings have been noticed with respect to traditional measurements with marker pens and protractors, the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) method as the gold standard, and smartphone methods with special apps developed in recent years 10 . Therefore, we introduced a novel method based on the iPhone’s intrinsic photo edit function to measure sagittal parameters of the cervical spine.…”