A study on variability of Quadriceps angle (Q-Angle) in a group of asymptomatic medical, paramedical and nursing students of Agartala- A cross sectional study

Abstract

The knee joint is a synovial joint present in lower limb of the body. One of the ways to define the force vectors acting on the knee joint is the Quadriceps Angle (Q-Angle) which is defined as the angle formed between the ligamentum Patellae and the extension of the line formed by the quadriceps femoris muscle with its apex at the patella. Higher the Q angle, more are the risks of patellar dislocation and other knee injuries. The present study was aimed to record and analyze the values of Q-angle in a group of asymptomatic medical, paramedical and nursing students of Agartala. The gender-related difference, bilateral variations in Q-angle was also established.
Methodology
This study was conducted at Agartala Government Medical College and GBP Hospital in the year 2024 with a sample size of 200 after satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the students under study were divided into 2 groups, Group A consisted of 100 male students and Group B with 100 female students. Q angle was measured by goniometric method and the collected data was analyzed using Microsoft excel and SPSS 25.0 software.
Results
It was found that male had a mean Q angle of 11.79 ± 1.68?(SD) and female had 13.79 ± 1.93? (SD). The mean value of right Q angle of male students was 12.03±1.73? (SD). Whereas, that of female students was 14.06 ± 2.13? (SD). The mean value of left Q angle of male students was 11.55 ± 1.66?(SD) and that of female students was 13.53±1.72? (SD). Out of a total of 200 students, 60 % had bilateral variations in Q angle. Among them, 6% had bilateral variation more than 3?, 12 % had a bilateral variation of 3?, 11.5 % of all students had bilateral variation of 2? and rest 39.5 % had a bilateral variation of 1?.
Conclusion
The findings of the present study are in accordance with the fact that female have a higher Q angle than male. The findings of the study would be very helpful for orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists practicing in this region in preventing as well as treating knee injuries.