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AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the care-seeking behaviour among adolescents with patellofemoral pain (PFP). METHODS: This retrospective study included data on 121 adolescents with PFP enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. A questionnaire was sent to the general practitioner (GP) of each adolescent, assessing information on the consultation dates for knee pain, potential diagnoses, and treatment provided. RESULTS: 106/121 adolescents had been in contact with their GP, and 95 medical records of adolescents were available. Of the 95 adolescents with available medical records 60 had consulted their GP for knee pain. The median number of contacts was 1.5 (range 1-7). The GPs initiated treatment for 48 of the 60 adolescents and in most cases it was information and advice (36/48) or pain medication to a minor extent (6/48). Out of the 60 adolescents who consulted their GP 26 were subsequently referred to different types of health care professionals, in 11 out of 26 to physiotherapy, but also to the department of rheumatology or orthopaedics. Conclusions : 63% of adolescents diagnosed with PFP had previously consulted their GP due to knee pain. Several types of treatments were initiated by the GP, but most commonly advice and information were given. Standardized and evidence-based treatment guidelines for adolescent knee pain in general practice are needed.
RESUMEN
PURPOSE: To determine intra- and interobserver reliability and measurement precision of sonographic assessment of plantar fascia thickness when using one, the mean of two, or the mean of three measurements. METHODS: Two experienced observers scanned 20 healthy subjects twice with 60 minutes between test and retest. A GE LOGIQe ultrasound scanner was used in the study. The built-in software in the scanner was used to measure the thickness of the plantar fascia (PF). Reliability was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and limits of agreement (LOA). RESULTS: Intraobserver reliability (ICC) using one measurement was 0.50 for one observer and 0.52 for the other, and using the mean of three measurements intraobserver reliability increased up to 0.77 and 0.67, respectively. Interobserver reliability (ICC) when using one measurement was 0.62 and increased to 0.82 when using the average of three measurements. LOA showed that when using the average of three measurements, LOA decreased to 0.6 mm, corresponding to 17.5% of the mean thickness of the PF. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that reliability increases when using the mean of three measurements compared with one. Limits of agreement based on intratester reliability shows that changes in thickness that are larger than 0.6 mm can be considered actual changes in thickness and not a result of measurement error.
