Untitled

Abstract

In evaluation of genu varum-genu valgum, tibiofemoral (TF) angle and intercondylar (IC) or intermalleolar (IM) distance are commonly measured. In this study, we determined mean values and normal limits for TF angle and IC/IM distance in 590 normal Turkish children (287 girls and 303 boys) aged from 3 to 17 years using clinical methods. We noted a significantly higher degree of valgus angle than that in previous reports. The maximal mean valgus angle was 9.6 degrees at 7 years for boys and 9.8 degrees at 6 years for girls. These differences were considered racial differences between Turkish children and those of other races. Turkish children, aged between 3 and 17 years, exhibited < or =11 degrees physiologic valgus. A measurable varus angle or a valgus higher than 11 degrees during this period should be considered abnormal.

Clinical tibiofemoral angle in south Indian children

“…Thereafter the valgus corrected spontaneously to between 5° and 6°. 2 Following this radiological study, the photographic technique was adopted by Heath and Staheli 4 and clinical measurement with a goniometer by many investigators, 3,5,6,8 with the advantages of low price, reliability, reproducibility and being radiation-free. We therefore chose the clinical measurement technique for the measurement of the TFA in this study.…”

“…In the previous studies the femoral and tibial axes were either marked with skin dots, or the goniometers were placed on imaginary lines. 3,5,6,8 We believe that this was subject to error as the marking of imaginary lines may not be reliable and skin dots can stretch and get displaced. With the use of bony anatomical landmarks and also expandable rigid goniometers whose tips reach long enough to touch the landmarks, the measurement error is minimised.…”

“…However, these ranges have been shown to differ with respect to age, time to transition from infantile varus to valgus, peak valgus and gender variation in children of different ethnic groups. 3-5,8,11-14 …”

“…However, Chinese, Turkish and Saudi children had higher peak valgus values of 8°, 9.6° to 9.8° and 9.46° ( sd 0.85), respectively. 3,5,13 …”

Angular Deformities of the Lower Limb in Children

“…With further normal development, knees gradually drift into valgus (knock-knee). This valgus deformity is maximal at around age 3–4 years with an average lateral tibiofemoral angle of 12 degrees [11] . Finally the genu valgum spontaneously correct by the age of 7 years to that of the adult alignment of the lower limbs of 8 degrees of valgus in the female and 7 degrees in the male.…”