Study of knee angle in tribal children of Andhra Pradesh

Authors

  • Dhananjay Kumar PhD Student, Department of Anatomy, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Maharishi Markandeshwar University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1460-656X
  • Patnaik VV Gopichand Professor and Dean, Department of Anatomy, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Maharishi Markandeshwar University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2410-3413
  • Nidhi Puri Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Maharishi Markandeshwar University http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1852-0832

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v7i6.15261

Keywords:

Knee angle, Tibiofemoral angle, Genu varum and Genu valgum, Goniometer

Abstract

Background: Knee angle shifts from genu varum (bow leg) in newborn to neutral (0°) in infants and thereby, it becomes genu valgum (knock knee) in childhood as child begins to stand and walk. This sequential growth causes variation in gait and posture particularly up to 7-8 years of childhood stage.

Aims and Objectives:This study establishes baseline data of knee angle in Indian tribal children of Andhra Pradesh. Despite its clinical importance and social relevance, literature is scanty in Indian population especially in tribal children.

Materials and Methods: Tibiofemoral angle (TFA) was measured clinically using universal goniometer in 360 normal Indian tribal children of 2-14 years age group. Each age group comprised of 15 male and 15 female children. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), thigh length (TL), leg length (LL) and lower limb length (LLL) were noted for all subjects to establish their relationship with TFA.

Results: It was found that physiological varus rarely persists after 2 years of age. Beyond 2 years there was consistent increase in knee valgus. A maximum mean knee valgus of 8° TFA was observed in girls at 6:<7 years, while 6° TFA was found in boys of 7:<8 years age group. Thereafter progressive decrease in mean knee valgus of 5-6° was seen up to 10:<11 years age group which in later ages stabilizes to 6-7° in both sexes.  The overall pattern of knee valgus was found to be higher in girls than boys. Data revealed significant positive correlation between TFA and other parameters in both sexes at p <0.05 significance level.

Conclusion: Age wise knee angle values for 2-14 year age group tribal children of Andhra Pradesh provided by this study could be of potential benefit to the physicians, orthopedic surgeons, pediatricians, radiologists, and physiotherapists while evaluating growth related shift patterns.

Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 75-81

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Author Biographies

Dhananjay Kumar, PhD Student, Department of Anatomy, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Maharishi Markandeshwar University

Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Anatomy

Patnaik VV Gopichand, Professor and Dean, Department of Anatomy, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Maharishi Markandeshwar University

PROFESSOR AND DEAN

DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY

MAHARISHI MARKANDESHWAR INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH

Nidhi Puri, Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Maharishi Markandeshwar University

PROFESSOR AND HEAD

DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY

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Published

2016-10-31

How to Cite

Kumar, D., Gopichand, P. V., & Puri, N. (2016). Study of knee angle in tribal children of Andhra Pradesh. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, 7(6), 75–81. https://doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v7i6.15261

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Section

Original Articles