Lower Limb Volume Measurements: Standardization and Reproducibility of an Adapted Optical Leg Volume Meter

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the reproducibility of an adapted optical leg volume meter and to determine intraindividual volume changes of the lower legs on separate days and in the course of a working day in healthy volunteers. Design: Adaptation of a standard optical leg volume meter, ‘volometer’, and calibration on an artificial leg and on volunteers. Study of the behaviour of lower leg volume in volunteers. Setting: Free University Hospital, Amsterdam. Participants: Thirty-six healthy volunteers, workers in the hospital. Intervention: The lower leg volume was measured on five or six different days at the beginning and end of a full working day. Main outcome measures: Reproducibility of the adapted volometer, and volume changes of the lower legs at different times. Results: Adaptation of the volometer resulted in a reproducibility of 0.07% in an artificial leg and of 0.46% in volunteers. A significant increase ( p<0.0001) in the volume of the lower legs in the course of the day was observed. Conclusion: Adaptation of the optical leg volume meter resulted in reproducible recordings of the volume of lower legs. In the course of the day an increase in volume occurs.

The effect of different knee angles on knee volume measured with the Perometer® device in uninjured subjects*

“…The results show that a statistically significant difference exists between the measured volume of the extended and flexed knee when the knee is positioned in greater than 20° of flexion during the scan. These results build upon previous studies that have investigated the effects of incorrect limb positioning within an optoelectronic device on the accuracy of the volume measurement (Hebeda et al. , 1993; Louisy & Schroiff, 1995; Stanton et al.…”

“…, 1993; Brijker et al. , 2000; Perrin & Guex, 2000), optoelectronic volumetry (Hebeda et al. , 1993; Louisy & Schroiff, 1995; Tierney et al.…”

“…The importance of replicating limb position in the horizontal, vertical and longitudinal planes, for repeated volume measurements using optoelectronic devices, is highlighted from the findings of previous investigations (Hebeda et al. , 1993; Louisy & Schroiff, 1995; Stanton et al.…”

“…Joint injuries (for example knee and ankle) are monitored by the degree of swelling, which causes a measurable increase in volume in comparison with the uninjured joint. Limb swelling can be quantified using various techniques, such as water volumetry (Kaulesar Sukul et al, 1993;Brijker et al, 2000;Perrin & Guex, 2000), optoelectronic volumetry (Hebeda et al, 1993;Louisy & Schroiff, 1995;Tierney et al, 1996;Mayrovitz et al, 2000;Stanton et al, 2000) and so called ÔindirectÕ methods, e.g. the frustum and disc models (Tierney et al, 1996;Stanton et al, 2000).…”

“…The importance of replicating limb position in the horizontal, vertical and longitudinal planes, for repeated volume measurements using optoelectronic devices, is highlighted from the findings of previous investigations (Hebeda et al, 1993;Louisy & Schroiff, 1995;Stanton et al, 1997). Stanton et al (1997) reported a small increase in volumes of between 0AE4-3AE1% when a cylinder was displaced from the horizontal and vertical axes of the Perometer frame (still remaining perpendicular to light beams).…”