Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: September | Volume: 7 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 9-15
Study on Quadriceps Angle (Q Angle) in an Adolescent and Adult Nepali Population with Anterior Knee Pain
Indra Dhakal1, Shanta Sharma2
1Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Department of Orthopedics, Lumbini Zonal Hospital, Butwal, Rupandehi, Nepal.
2Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, Devdaha Medical College and Research Institute, Kathamandu University, Rupandehi, Nepal.
Corresponding Author: Indra Dhakal
ABSTRACT
Background: Anterior knee pain (patellofemoral pain syndrome) is a very common problem that poses difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problems. It accounts for up to 74% of knee pain experienced by adolescents participating in sports, with prevalence of 15% in females and 12% in males. Although etiology and pathogenesis of patellofemoral pain syndrome are poorly understood, many predisposing factors suggest an underlying genetic, developmental, or familial abnormality. Various clinical tests have been used to diagnose anterior knee pain but data regarding validity are scarce and inconclusive. Q-angle is the most common test done to identify and treat anterior knee pain. The objective of this study is to evaluate quadriceps angle (Q angle) in patients with anterior knee pain in our setup.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was undertaken at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Kathmandu. One hundred patients with symptomatic anterior knee pain presenting to Orthopaedics OPD or Sports Clinic of the Department of Orthopaedics, TUTH, who could meet the inclusion criteria were taken up for the study.
Results: Total124 symptomatic knees of 100 patients (55 male and 45 females) were evaluated. Mean Q-angle was 15.57 degrees; Mean Q-angle of symptomatic knees was 16.62 degree (male-14.55, female- 19.05) and 13.84 degrees of asymptomatic knee (male-12.65, female-15.39). Mean q-angle in female was 17.71 degree and in male was 13.81degree.
Conclusions: Q-angle was significantly high in females and symptomatic knee with anterior knee pain. The relationship between Q-angle and knees with anterior knee pain was statistically significant (P-0.001).
Key words: Anterior knee pain, patellofemoral pain syndrome, Q-angle