Inter-observer and intra-observer reliability of Rockwood classification among orthopedic residents

Abstract

AimThe purpose of this study was to evaluate intra and inter-observer reli-ability of the Rockwood classification system, which is used to assess acro-mioclavicular (AC) joint injuries, in terms of orthopedics residents’ evaluation.MethodA Microsoft® Power Point (PPT) presentation with 37 slides including shoulder anterior-posterior radiographs displaying acromio-clavicular joint injuries was prepared. A total of 15 orthopedic residents were asked to classify the injuries according to the Rockwood classification system. The order of the slides was changed and the assessment was again carried out three months later by the same reviewers. In order to assess intra- and inter-observer agreement levels, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) values were calculated.ResultsWhen considering the results of all the participants, the kappa value for intra-observer and kappa value for inter-ob-server reliability were found to be 0.732 (0.476-1) and 0.690 (0.654-0.739), respectively. Analysis indicated that residents had difficulty in differentiat-ing type 2-3 and type 3-5 injuries.ConclusionAlthough our studies’ finding was that there was an acceptable intra- and inter-observer reliability for Rockwood classification among orthopedics residents, it was evident that differentiating type 2 and type 3 injuries and differentiating type 3 and 5 injuries was difficult.

Keywords

Additional Information

Publisher’s Note
Bayrakol MP remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional and institutional claims.

Rights and Permissions

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). To view a copy of the license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

View full license details →