Normal Development of the Tibiofemoral Angle in Children: A Clinical Study of 590 Normal Subjects From 3 to 17 Years of Age

• Published in: Journal of pediatric orthopaedics Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 264 - 267
• Main Authors: Arazi, Mehmet, Öğün, Tunç C, Memik, Recep
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc 01-03-2001; Lippincott
• Subjects: Adolescent; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; European Continental Ancestry Group; Female; Femur - anatomy & histology; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Knee Joint - anatomy & histology; Male; Medical sciences; Osteoarticular system. Muscles; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Reference Values; Tibia - anatomy & histology; Turkey; Asia; Turkey; Human; Deformation; Genu varum; Growth; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Lower limb; Epidemiology; Standards; Knee disease; Osteoarticular system; Angular measurement; Adolescent; Clinical investigation; Bone; Genu valgum; Child; Public health
• ISSN: 0271-6798; 1539-2570
• DOI: 10.1097/01241398-200103000-00027

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 ≤11 degrees physiologic valgus. A measurable varus angle or a valgus higher than 11 degrees during this period should be considered abnormal.