Quadriceps Angle In Children With And Without Pes Planus

Background: Previous studies among Caucasians have made contributions towards recognizing the widespread problems of quadriceps angle (Q angle) and pes planus deformity (PPD) as independent entities among cross-sections of population. There is however, a dearth of studies among children in Nigerian population. This study was therefore designed to investigate the mean Q angle values in children with and without PPD, and to contribute data to this field of study.Design: Purposive sampling technique. Participants: One hundred and seventy seven apparently healthy, 10-12 year old school children.Method: The Q angles were measured with a goniometer according to the method of Latinghouse and Trimble. Footprints were also taken to determine the presence or absence of PPD.Results: The mean Q angles of children with and without PPD were 13.98±4.0o and 12.17±3.7o respectively in the right, and 13.08±4.1o and 12.64±3.9o in the left lower limb. An independent t-test comparison of mean Q angles in children with and without PPD showed significant difference at alpha level of 0.05 in the right lower limbs. Mean Q angles of females with and without PPD are 14.18±4.1o and 12.77±3.6o respectively while the mean Q angles of males with and without PPD are 12.77±4.0o and 12.00±4.0oConclusion: Children with PPD had higher mean Q angles than those without PPD and the mean Q angles in the females are higher than those of the males. Recommendation: Children with PPD should be screened for high Q angles, as both have been independently implicated as predisposing factors to several lower limb injuries.