Radiological Verification for the Suitability of Using the Quadriceps Angle to Represent Orientation of the Quadriceps Femoris

Abstract

ObjectivesThe orientation of the quadriceps femoris can be represented by the quadriceps angle (Q‐angle) has not yet been approved because of the high incidence of patellar instability. In this study, the correlations among components of the quadriceps femoris and the Q‐angle using the plain radiographic technique were assessed. This retrospective study aims to use the radiographic technique to clarify these doubts from anatomic viewpoints.MethodsOne hundred consecutive young adult patients (50 men and 50 women; aged, 34 ± 5 and 33 ± 6 years, respectively) who sustained chronic unilateral lower extremity injuries (unilateral femoral, tibial nonunions or malunions) were enrolled. The contralateral intact lower extremity was used for the study. The full‐length standing scanogram (FLSS) was used to evaluate the rectus Q‐angle (R‐Q angle), vastus Q‐angle (V‐Q angle), and clinical Q‐angle (C‐Q angle; i.e., known as the Q‐angle). The three Q‐angles were compared statistically. The Mann–Whitney U test and the Kruskal–Wallis test were used for comparison among groups. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the degree of relationship between two groups.ResultsThe C‐Q angle or the V‐Q angle was statistically different from the R‐Q angle (p < 0.001). The C‐Q angle between sexes was not different (p = 0.25). High correlation occurred among the C‐Q angle, the R‐Q angle, and the V‐Q angles (correlation coefficient, 0.886–0.979). The multiple linear regression revealed of C‐Q angle = 0.72; R‐Q angle, p < 0.001 + 0.21; and V‐Q angle, (p = 0.009) + 2.61° in 100 patients.ConclusionOrientation of the quadriceps femoris can be represented by the Q‐angle. Compared to the rectus femoris, the three vastus muscles of the quadriceps femoris are more correlated to the Q‐angle.