Study of knee angle in tribal children of Andhra Pradesh

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