Bilateral Variability of Q Angle in Symptomatic Unilateral and Symptomatic Bilateral Knee Pain in Indian Adults of Deccan Plateau Region

Objectives: Quadriceps angle (Q angle) is a lonesome clinical measure, appraised as a critical factor for the posture maintenance and knee related complications.The excessive Q angle increases the lateral patellofemoral junction pressure, which have a tendency to add biomechanical stress over the knee, leads to patellofemoral complications. This study was attempted to determine the right and left Q angle variabilitybetween asymptomatic or control (ASY), symptomatic unilateral knee pain (SUKP), and symptomatic bilateral knee pain (SBKP) in people of Deccan plateau in India. Material and methods:The bilateral Q angles were measured by universal goniometer in 235subjectsof both genders including asymptomatic (n=135), symptomatic unilateral knee pain (n=60) and symptomatic bilateral knee pain (n=40), in upright standing position, with relaxed quadriceps and fully extended knee.Subjects with clinically determined anterior knee pain considered as symptomatic. Results: The higher bilateral variability of Q angle was noticed in females than males between asymptomatic and SUKP (-5.920) and SBKP (-4.090) on right side and between asymptomatic and SUKP (-4.980) on left side. There was bilateral significant difference in Mean Q angle between asymptomatic and SUKP, and between asymptomatic and SBKP in both sexes. However, the above difference was statistically not significant between SBKP and SUKP. Conclusion: Moderate Q angle bilateral variability was noticed in symptomatic subjects due to malalignment of limbs by trauma, unilateral stance of limb and other influencing factors.