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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07406672

Comparison of Clinical Joint Localization and Ultrasound-Confirmed Joint Positioning

This prospective, cross-sectional observational study aims to evaluate the differences between joint localizations determined by physicians based on physical examination and joint positions confirmed by musculoskeletal ultrasound. Knee, elbow, ankle, and wrist joints will be assessed in volunteer physicians working in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Orthopedics and Traumatology.

For each joint, participants will identify the joint space based on physical examination and the marked locations will be compared with ultrasound-confirmed joint positions. The distance between clinically determined and ultrasound-confirmed locations will be measured in millimeters. The study seeks to provide objective data on the accuracy of clinical joint localization and to support educational approaches in clinical anatomy and musculoskeletal examination training.

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Key information

Conditions

Musculoskeletal System Physical Examination

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Bursa City Hospital

Bursa, Türkiye, 16600, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This study is designed as a prospective, cross-sectional, observational comparison of clinical joint localization and ultrasound-confirmed joint positioning. The study will be conducted at Bursa City Hospital and will include volunteer physicians working as residents or specialists in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation or Orthopedics and Traumatology.

Participants will be asked to localize the joint space of the knee (tibiofemoral), elbow (humeroulnar), ankle (tibiotalar), and wrist (radiocarpal) based on physical examination in standardized positions. Clinically determined joint locations will be marked on the skin using a removable marker.

Following clinical marking, musculoskeletal ultrasound examinations will be performed by an experienced investigator using a high-frequency linear transducer. Ultrasound-confirmed joint positions will be identified according to standardized scanning protocols. The investigator performing the ultrasound assessment will be blinded to the participant's specialty and level of experience.

The primary outcome measure will be the distance, measured in millimeters, between the clinically marked joint location and the ultrasound-confirmed joint position. Secondary analyses will evaluate differences in localization accuracy among different joints and between physicians with different levels of clinical experience.

The study involves no therapeutic or diagnostic intervention and poses minimal risk to participants. All data will be collected anonymously and analyzed at the group level. The results are expected to contribute to a better understanding of the limitations of physical examination-based joint localization and to inform educational strategies incorporating ultrasound in clinical anatomy training.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Physicians working as residents or specialists in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation or Orthopedics and Traumatology
  • Age 18 years or older
  • Voluntary participation with written informed consent
  • Ability to perform physical examination-based joint localization

Exclusion criteria

  • Refusal to participate or provide written informed consent
  • Any condition preventing completion of physical examination procedures
  • Non-compliance with the study protocol

Treatment and study plan

Observational Assessment

Other

No therapeutic or diagnostic intervention is applied. Participants undergo an observational assessment consisting of physical examination-based joint localization followed by ultrasound confirmation for measurement and comparison purposes only.

Primary outcomes

  1. Distance Between Clinically Determined and Ultrasound-Confirmed Joint Localization

    Time frame: Day 1

    The distance, measured in millimeters, between the joint location identified by physical examination and the joint position confirmed by musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Joint-Specific Differences in Localization Accuracy

    Time frame: Day 1

    Comparison of distance differences between clinically determined and ultrasound-confirmed joint localization across different joints (knee, elbow, ankle, and wrist).

  2. Effect of Physician Experience on Joint Localization Accuracy

    Time frame: Day 1

    Comparison of distance differences between clinically determined and ultrasound-confirmed joint localization according to physician experience level (resident versus specialist).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Bursa City Hospital

Other Gov

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of Differences Between Joint Localizations Determined by Physical Examination and Ultrasound-Confirmed Joint Positions of the Knee, Elbow, Ankle and Wrist

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Feb 12, 2026
Registry last updated
May 12, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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