Translation and validation of Chinese version of International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form

Abstract

Purpose. To translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC-SKF-C) to Chinese.

Method. Forward and backward translations were conducted by two bilingual professional translators. Content validity was verified by a panel of a senior orthopaedic surgeon and six physiotherapists. The IKDC-SKF-C was tested on 84 patients. Psychometric testing included internal consistency (Cronbach's α) and test–retest reliability. Convergent validity used Spearman's correlation coefficient (rho) tests by comparing its score with the Chinese version of SF-36.

Results. The Internal consistency was excellent with Cronbach's α  ==  0.97. Test-retest reliability was supported with an ICC  ==  0.87. The IKDC-SKF-C was moderately related to concurrent measures of physical function and bodily pain (r  ==  0.64, p  <0.05).

Conclusion. The translated Chinese IKDC-SKF is a reliable and valid tool with equal measurement properties and conceptual equivalent to the original version.

Keywords:

• International Knee Documentation Subjective Knee Form
• Chinese validation
• knee

Acknowledgements

We thank all the patients who participated in this study, Dr. Hok-ming Ho and the Physiotherapists in Tsang Kwan O Hospital. We also thank Dr. Raymond Chung for his advice on statistical analysis.