Readability and Variability Among Online Resources for Patella Dislocation: What Patients Are Reading

Orthopedics. 2022 Mar-Apr;45(2):e62-e66. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20220105-09. Epub 2022 Jan 12.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the readability, content, and authorship of websites related to patella instability. A search was performed using three search engines and four terms related to patella dislocation. Thirty-seven unique websites were identified. Seventeen of 37 (46%) websites disclosed the authorship credentials. The mean Flesch-Kincaid grade was 10.8±3.5, and the mean Flesch reading ease score was 47.6±18. Only 8 of 37 (22%) websites had a third-party Health On the Net seal. The information presented online about patella dislocation can be unreliable and misleading for patients. [Orthopedics. 2022;45(2):e62-e66.].

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Comprehension*
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Patella / surgery
  • Reading*
  • Search Engine