Morphometric measurements of carrying angle of the elbow among sample of Iraqi medical students: An observational, cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The carrying angle (CA) is an acute angle occurring between the longitudinal axis of the upper arm and that of the extended and supinated forearm. CA allows swinging of the upper limb without hitting the pelvis. It appears to be larger in females than in males and also shows some variation to anthropometric parameters. Knowledge of CAs is valuable for orthopedic surgeons and biomedical engineers as well as for forensic specialists and anthropologists. Aims: The aim of the study is to evaluate the normal range of CA among Iraqi population. Materials and Methods: The CAs of the right and the left upper limbs was measured by a clinical goniometer in 200 medical students. Analysis for differences was performed according to gender, laterality, height, weight, and hip circumference (HC). Results: The mean right CA in men was 9° and in women was 10.75°, while the mean left CA was 8.76° in men and 10.51° in women. The mean CA in females is significantly larger than in males. The mean CA of the right elbow was greater than that of the left. The mean CA shows a positive correlation with the individual height, weight, and HC. Conclusion: The study fortifies the knowledge of the standard range of CA of the elbow in a study population of apparently healthy Iraqi medical students and tries to make a reference value to be used for orthopedic surgeons, biomedical engineers as well as for forensic specialists and anthropologists.